What is the best year for the Nissan Cube?

The 2012 Nissan Cube has the lowest complaint index at 25, with zero crashes, fires, or injuries reported, making it the strongest year relative to the rest of the lineup.

What is the most common problem with the Nissan Cube?

Across all years, Electrical System issues account for 28% of complaints (32 total) and Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 25% (29 total), the two largest problem areas.

Does the Nissan Cube have any recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns across the 2010-2014 Cube lineup, including a 2010 airbag inflator recall, a 2010 fuel system recall, and a 2013 recall; none are do-not-drive recalls.

Is the 2014 Nissan Cube reliable?

The 2014 Cube carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 50 and 7 complaints, including one reported death and one fire, so it warrants closer inspection compared to the 2012 model.

Nissan Cube Best and Worst Years (2010–2014)

The 2010 and 2011 Nissan Cube are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 75, the highest in the lineup. The 2012 Cube is the strongest year with a complaint index of just 25 and no crashes, fires, or injuries reported.

Avoid 2010 Avoid 2011

Model years: 5; 2010–2014
NHTSA complaints: 116
Recall campaigns: 3
Crashes reported: 8
Fires reported: 3
Top problem area: Electrical System

Cube Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Nissan Cube problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Avoid	100	56	4	1	2	Electrical System	28	—
2011	Avoid	75	31	2	1	0	Transmission & Powertrain	27.5	—
2012	Good	25	19	0	0	0	Transmission & Powertrain	27.5	—
2013	No verdict	0	3	1	0	1	Airbags	27.5	—
2014	Caution	50	7	1	1	1	Electrical System	27.5	—

Cube years to avoid: what went wrong

2010 Nissan Cube Index 100 · 56 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2010 Cube leads all years with 56 complaints and a complaint index of 100. Electrical System issues make up 38% of its complaints, including reports of horns too quiet to alert other drivers, with a median failure mileage of 65,909. Steering problems account for 30% of complaints at a median of 72,954 miles. Airbag issues, including non-deployment during crashes, appear at a median of 38,000 miles. NHTSA lists two recalls for this year, covering airbag inflators that may rupture and a fuel system defect. Four crashes, one fire, and five injuries were reported.

2010 electrical system problems →2010 steering problems →

2011 Nissan Cube Index 75 · 31 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2011 Cube has 31 complaints and a complaint index of 75, the second-worst in the lineup. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate at 48% of complaints, with a high median failure mileage of 100,500, including reports of transmissions failing after a whining noise and engine mounts breaking. Airbag non-deployment during crashes was reported at a median of 31,090 miles. Electrical System issues appear at a median of 35,884 miles. No recalls are listed for this year. Two crashes, one fire, and two injuries were reported.

2011 transmission & powertrain problems →

Most common Nissan Cube problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Electrical System32 (28%)
Transmission & Powertrain29 (25%)
Steering19 (16%)
Airbags16 (14%)
Engine11 (9%)
Other10 (9%)
Fuel System8 (7%)
Structure & Body8 (7%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (5%)
Seat Belts5 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Nissan Cube should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to the 2010 and 2011 Nissan Cube as the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 75, the highest among all model years covered.
What is the best year for the Nissan Cube?: The 2012 Nissan Cube has the lowest complaint index at 25, with zero crashes, fires, or injuries reported, making it the strongest year relative to the rest of the lineup.
What is the most common problem with the Nissan Cube?: Across all years, Electrical System issues account for 28% of complaints (32 total) and Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 25% (29 total), the two largest problem areas.
Does the Nissan Cube have any recalls?: NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns across the 2010-2014 Cube lineup, including a 2010 airbag inflator recall, a 2010 fuel system recall, and a 2013 recall; none are do-not-drive recalls.
Is the 2014 Nissan Cube reliable?: The 2014 Cube carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 50 and 7 complaints, including one reported death and one fire, so it warrants closer inspection compared to the 2012 model.