How Long Do Nissans Last? (Explained)

Nissans are well-known for their long lifespan and low costs of ownership.

They have received praise from major sources like JD Power and Repair Pal for their reliability and dependability.

But how long do Nissans last?

On average, Nissans should last anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 miles before major repairs are needed. This means that based on an average annual mileage of 15,0000 miles, they last for around 20 years.

Keep reading to find out how reliable Nissans are, the most and least reliable models, and how Nissan compares to other brands with similar vehicles.

Then, learn how well these vehicles hold their value and how expensive they are to maintain. Finally, get some quick tips on how you can make your Nissan last longer.

How Many Miles Will A Nissan Last?

Nissans are known to last anywhere between 200,000 to 300,000 miles with proper maintenance.

Business Insider found Nissan 10th out of 18 for the longest-lasting car brands in 2020.

According to this source, 0.4% of Nissan’s sold in 2019 had at least 200,000 miles on the odometer.

Pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance to get the most miles out of your vehicle.

How Many Years Do Nissans Last?

Based on an average annual mileage of 15,000 miles, Nissans can last up to 20 years.

That said, skipping an oil change or forgetting to check tire pressure could take years off a Nissan’s life.

It’s vital to make routine maintenance a top priority to keep Nissans on the road for as many years as possible.

Are Nissans Reliable?

Nissans are highly reliable vehicles that last their owners a long time.

With an average lifespan of two decades, the brand ranks 13th out of 26 for the most reliable new cars.

The entire line of 2021 Nissan models has at least an average reliability rating, according to Consumer Reports.

Additionally, models such as the Altima, Murano, and Maxima are high performers, scoring higher-than-average ratings for reliability.

Repair Pal rates Nissan a 4 out of 5 for reliability. It ranks 9th out of 32 for reliability across all car brands.

Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 11th out of 30 for most reliable vehicle brands of 2020.

JD Power awarded Nissan a dependability award eight times in the last ten years.

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What Are The Most Reliable Nissans?

The most reliable Nissans are the 2021 Nissan Maxima, 2017 Nissan Murano, 2020 Nissan Armada, and 2018 Nissan Titan XD.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received an overall score of 81/100 from Consumer Reports.

The source rates this vehicle a 4 out of 5 for reliability.

U.S. News and World Reports rated the 2017 Nissan Murano an 8.5 out of 10 for reliability.

JD Power rates it an 80/100 for reliability.

JD Power rates the 2020 Nissan Rogue 91/100 for quality and reliability, which lands in the “best” range for the organization’s scores.

According to consumer reviews on KBB, the 2018 Nissan Titan XD earned a 4.8 out of 5 for reliability.

What Are The Least Reliable Nissans?

The least reliable Nissans are the 2021 Nissan Armada, 2017 Nissan Altima, 2009 Nissan Versa, and the 2009-2017 Nissan Titan.

The 2021 Nissan Armada only scored a 55 out of 100 overall on Consumer Reports.

The reliability rating ranked at 2 out of 5, which is considered below-average.

The 2017 Nissan Altima ranked #16 of 21 for reliability across all brands.

Its overall reliability rating on Consumer Reports is 3 out of 5.

It also scored only 1 out of 5 for common problems with major transmission issues and body integrity.

The 2009 Nissan Versa scores a 2 out of 5 for reliability on JD Power.

It is ranked #6 out of 10 for reliability compared to other subcompact cars from the same year.

The 2009-2017 Nissan Titan made U.S. News and World Report’s list of the least reliable used pickup trucks.

The average reliability score according to this source is 2.8 out of 5.

Do Nissans Have A Lot Of Problems?

Nissans have fewer problems than average when compared to similar car models.

For example, according to Car Problem Zoo, all model years of the Nissan Altima have an estimated 16,688 reported issues combined.

The similar Toyota Camry reported 19,240 problems, and the Honda Accord reported 22,099 issues.

According to Nissan Problems, here are a few of the most common Nissan problems and models affected:

  • Nissan Altima: hood latch malfunctions and dim headlights
  • Nissan Murano: brake problems
  • All models: Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) problems

Overall, Nissan can be relied upon to have fewer problems than similar vehicles in the same class.

Do Nissans Break Down A Lot?

Nissans break down less frequently than other car brands.

According to Repair Pal, Nissans go to a mechanic for unexpected issues around 0.3 times a year compared to the average of 0.4 times a year for other brands.

Even though Nissan’s don’t break down as often as similar cars, the issues are more likely to be severe.

Repair Pal states that there is a 13% chance of severe repairs versus other brands’ 12% chance.

Do Nissans Last As Long As Toyotas?

Even though the brands tie for reliability ranking, Toyotas are expected to last slightly longer than Nissans.

According to Repair Pal, both brands rank a 4 out of 5 for overall reliability.

That said, Toyota is ranked #8 out of 32 while Nissan holds the 9th spot.

Consumer Reports ranks Toyota 7th for most reliable vehicles of all brands in 2021, while Nissan is ranked in the 13th spot.

Toyota’s higher performance in reliability was a contributing factor to its higher rank overall.

Do Nissans Last As Long As Hondas?

Nissans don’t typically last as long as Hondas.

That said, they are similar when it comes to reliability.

Both brands score an overall 4 out of 5 on Repair Pal. However, Honda ranks #1 out of 32 across all brands for reliability, while Nissan is ranked #9.

Consumer Reports solidifies that Honda is more reliable than Nissan, ranking Honda #5 for best brands of 2021, versus Nissan’s rank of #13.

What Is Considered High Mileage For A Nissan?

Around 150,000 miles is considered high mileage for a Nissan.

Nissans can last up to 300,000 miles with regular maintenance and ideal conditions.

That said, it’s more common for them to last around 200,000 miles, according to Nissan owners.

Even a low-mileage Nissan can be a bad choice if it hasn’t been maintained properly.

Always ask for the maintenance records and compare them to the manufacturer’s recommendations to confirm the accuracy of the vehicle’s servicing history.

How Many Miles On A Nissan Is Considered Too Much?

As long as the service history shows that the car was maintained correctly, it’s pretty safe to buy a Nissan with up to 150,000 miles on the odometer.

Beware of maintenance records that reflect missed oil changes or missing maintenance items according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Unfortunately, using a vehicle’s mileage alone is not safe to determine whether the vehicle is a good option.

Instead, you must also consider the service history to determine its reliability.

Do Nissans Hold Their Value?

Nissans hold their value about as well as similar brands.

According to CarEdge, Nissan’s value retention is average at the 3, 5, and 7-year marks.

CarEdge also reported that Nissans with the best value are 2019-model vehicles, which retain 71.03% of their value and have 83.33% of their lives left.

Are Nissans Expensive To Maintain?

Nissans are less expensive to maintain in comparison to similar models of all brands.

According to Repair Pal, the average annual cost to maintain a Nissan is $500 per year versus the average of $652 yearly for all other brands.

Overall, Nissan is one of the least expensive cars to maintain.

The brand is ranked #5 out of 19 brands with the lowest 10-year maintenance cost on CarEdge.

How Long Do Nissan Tires Last?

According to Nissan, stock tires should last around 2-3 years before replacement is needed.

That said, some tires will need to be changed sooner.

Nissan recommends checking the tire pressure, tread wear, and depth of each tire once every 5,000 miles.

Here are a few recommendations from Nissan that you can use to extend the life of your tires:

  • Rotate tires every 5,000 miles
  • Balance and align wheels any time excessive wear is found or the car is pulling in one direction

Road conditions and driving style can also negatively impact the life of Nissan tires.

Nissan recommends waxing tires that are exposed to salty conditions due to winter weather and frequently checking rims for corrosion or dents, which could cause an unexpected drop in tire pressure and ruin tires prematurely.

How Long Do Nissan Batteries Last?

Nissan batteries last anywhere from 3-30 years, depending on the type.

Nissan original batteries have a 2-year free replacement policy and an 84-month (or seven-year) limited warranty.

The longest-lasting Nissan battery is the electric battery in the Nissan Leaf.

According to InsideEVs, recent research shows that this electric battery can last up to 10 years after the vehicle’s life, which totals to around 22 years.

Hybrid Nissan batteries typically last around 200,000 miles or 13 years, according to Nissan owners.

When it comes to diesel batteries, Nissan’s usually last around 3 to 4 years, according to one Nissan forum.

If you ask Nissan owners, standard Nissan batteries can be expected to last around 5 years.

The best way to get the most life out of your Nissan battery is to perform regular checks for any corrosion or loose connections at the battery terminals.

If you live in an area with extremely hot or cold conditions, your battery may not last as long since these conditions can damage your battery and cause it to fail prematurely.

You might also like: Why Are Nissan Leafs So Cheap?

How Long Do Nissan Engines Last?

Nissan is famous for its engines. On average, you can expect a well taken care of Nissan engine to last up to 300,000 miles or 20 years, based on an average yearly mileage of 15,000 miles.

Nissan engines must be properly maintained for longevity.

Advice from one Nissan owner says simple practices like using high-quality synthetic oil, regularly changing air filters, and performing other routine maintenance on time are all things that can make engines last longer.

How Long Do Nissan Transmissions Last?

Nissan uses a CVT or Continuously Variable Transmission.

These transmissions are known to last around 115,000 miles before servicing is needed, according to Car Care Portal:

  • Shift gently and make sure you come to a complete stop before moving the gear shift from drive to reverse
  • Regularly check and change transmission fluid
  • Wait for the engine to warm up before moving

How To Make A Nissan Last Longer

The best way to make a Nissan last longer is to care for it properly.

This means following the manufacturer’s instructions exactly as laid out in your owner’s manual.

Here are some of the most critical recommended maintenance items, according to Nissan:

  • Replace oil and filter and rotate tires every 5,000 miles or six months
  • Inspect transmission, brakes, drive shaft boots, propeller shaft, and differential oil every 10,000 miles or 12 months.
  • Replace air filters every 15,000 miles or 18 months
  • Perform brake fluid flushes every 20,000 miles or 18 months

Check your Nissan Owner’s Manual for more specific details about the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule for your car.

Final Thoughts – Nissan Life Expectancy

Nissans usually last around 300,000 miles or 20 years before major repairs are needed.

The brand is regularly praised for its reliability, low repair costs, and long lifespan. They hold their value about as well as similar vehicles.

That said, performing regular maintenance is the #1 most important part of making a Nissan last.

Article Sources:

  • businessinsider.com/longest-lasting-car-brands-miles-2020-4#10-nissan-9
  • nissanusa.com/parts-service/en/service-maintenance/batteries

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