What year Nissan NV should I avoid?

NHTSA complaint and recall data flags 2014, 2018, and 2019 as the years to avoid, with Complaint Index scores of 89, 78, and 100 respectively, the three highest among all NV model years covered.

What is the best year for the Nissan NV?

The 2015 NV is rated best, with a Complaint Index of only 22, 6 total complaints, and just 1 recall campaign, the lowest complaint volume of any year with data.

Does the Nissan NV have recall issues?

Across all years covered, the NV has 8 recall campaigns total. The 2012 model year alone has 4 recalls, while 2014 and 2018 each have recalls tied to airbags, seat belts, or camera software.

What are the most common problems on the Nissan NV?

Across all years, Electrical System issues account for 14% of complaints, followed by Airbags at 11%, Brakes and Engine each at 10%, and Transmission & Powertrain at 9%.

Is the 2019 Nissan NV reliable?

The 2019 NV ranks worst of all years covered, with a Complaint Index of 100 and reports involving engine failure, steering lockup, and a rollover crash, all at relatively low mileage.

Nissan NV Best and Worst Years (2012–2021)

Avoid the 2014, 2018, and 2019 Nissan NV, which carry Complaint Index scores of 89, 78, and 100 against a scale where 2019 ranks worst overall. The 2015 NV is the best year, with a low Complaint Index of 22 and just 6 complaints across 1 recall.

Avoid 2014 Avoid 2018 Avoid 2019 Best 2015

Model years: 10; 2012–2021
NHTSA complaints: 70
Recall campaigns: 8
Crashes reported: 5
Fires reported: 2
Top problem area: Electrical System

NV 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 NV problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2012	Good	33	7	1	0	4	Transmission & Powertrain	—	—
2013	Caution	56	9	1	0	3	Electrical System	—	—
2014	Avoid	89	10	1	0	2	Engine	—	—
2015	Best	22	6	0	0	1	Brakes	—	—
2016	Caution	67	17	0	0	1	Brakes	—	—
2017	No verdict	0	0	0	0	2	—	—	—
2018	Avoid	78	11	0	0	1	Electrical System	—	—
2019	Avoid	100	6	1	1	1	Engine	—	—
2020	No verdict	11	1	0	0	0	Collision Avoidance & Cameras	—	—
2021	No verdict	44	3	1	1	0	Electrical System	—	—

NV years to avoid: what went wrong

2019 Nissan NV Index 100 · 6 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2019 NV has the highest Complaint Index in the lineup at 100 and ranks worst overall. Owners report engine problems, including ticking noises and catalyst failure, plus a steering wheel lockup during slippery conditions that led to a rollover and airbag deployment at 3,202 miles. One recall covers a back-up camera software update. This model year also recorded 1 crash, 1 fire, and 1 injury among its complaints.

2014 Nissan NV Index 89 · 10 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2014 NV shows a Complaint Index of 89, the second-worst of all years covered. Owners report engine problems, including stalling and cruise control dropping RPM suddenly, along with structure and body issues. Median mileage at failure for the top problem areas ranged from about 17,500 to 37,900 miles. Two recalls apply to this year: one for airbag inflators and one for seat belt retractor bolts on vans built between March and May 2014. Engine and structure/body issues each made up 20% of complaints for this model year.

2018 Nissan NV Index 78 · 11 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2018 NV has a Complaint Index of 78 and 11 total complaints. Electrical system issues lead the complaints for this year, including reports of ECM/PCM communication faults and related trouble codes, at a median mileage of 208,000. Other owners describe stuck sliding doors and a disconnected fuel line at 1,032 miles. One recall covers a back-up camera software update. Median mileage at failure for the fuel system complaint was notably low at 1,032 miles.

Most common Nissan NV problems (all years)

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

Other27 (39%)
Electrical System10 (14%)
Airbags8 (11%)
Brakes7 (10%)
Engine7 (10%)
Transmission & Powertrain6 (9%)
Structure & Body5 (7%)
Fuel System3 (4%)
Steering3 (4%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Nissan NV should I avoid?: NHTSA complaint and recall data flags 2014, 2018, and 2019 as the years to avoid, with Complaint Index scores of 89, 78, and 100 respectively, the three highest among all NV model years covered.
What is the best year for the Nissan NV?: The 2015 NV is rated best, with a Complaint Index of only 22, 6 total complaints, and just 1 recall campaign, the lowest complaint volume of any year with data.
Does the Nissan NV have recall issues?: Across all years covered, the NV has 8 recall campaigns total. The 2012 model year alone has 4 recalls, while 2014 and 2018 each have recalls tied to airbags, seat belts, or camera software.
What are the most common problems on the Nissan NV?: Across all years, Electrical System issues account for 14% of complaints, followed by Airbags at 11%, Brakes and Engine each at 10%, and Transmission & Powertrain at 9%.
Is the 2019 Nissan NV reliable?: The 2019 NV ranks worst of all years covered, with a Complaint Index of 100 and reports involving engine failure, steering lockup, and a rollover crash, all at relatively low mileage.