Nissan NV Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Nissan NV model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2020 drew the fewest (1) and the 2016 the most (17).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Back over prevention | — | — |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 0 | Unknown or other | — | — |
| 2015 Among the fewest complaints |
6 | 1 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2019 | 6 | 1 | Engine | — | — |
| 2012 | 7 | 4 | Power train | — | — |
| 2013 | 9 | 3 | Unknown or other | — | — |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
10 | 2 | Unknown or other | — | — |
| 2018 Among the most complaints |
11 | 1 | Unknown or other | — | — |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
17 | 1 | Unknown or other | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Nissan NV years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2016 Nissan NV: 17 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 4 (24%); Electrical system 2 (12%); Engine 2 (12%).
Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 78,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2018 Nissan NV: 11 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 2 (18%); Engine 1 (9%); Fuel/propulsion system 1 (9%).
Reports mention 1 injury. 1 recall campaign listed.
2014 Nissan NV: 10 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 2 (20%); Air bags 1 (10%); Engine 1 (10%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 37,900 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Nissan NV years with the fewest complaints
2021 Nissan NV: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (33%); Power train 1 (33%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Nissan NV: 6 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 2 (33%); Air bags 1 (17%); Fuel/propulsion system 1 (17%).
1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Nissan NV owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 78,000 |
| 2015 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 37,900 |
| 2013 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Nissan NV recalls
- No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111 (2018–2019 model years; 1,228,830 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2019; 19V654000)
- Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2012–2017 model years; 216,678 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2020; 20V188000)
- Ignition Switch may Turn Off (2017 model year; 153,047 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2018; 18V551000)
- Shift Lever may Indicate Incorrect Gear (2012–2013 model years; 18,880 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2013; 13V095000)
- ENGINE OIL COOLER CONNECTOR BOLT (2012 model year; 14,718 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2011; 11V592000)
All 8 Nissan NV recall campaigns · Nissan NV problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Nissan NV years FAQ
Which Nissan NV year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2020 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Nissan NV years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2016, 2018 and 2014 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Nissan NV problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (10 of 70 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Nissan NV have?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns covering the Nissan NV. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Nissan NV recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.