The Nissan NV spans 2011–2026 with 14 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2017, 2026, 2025 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2011, 2012, 2013. It delivers up to 25 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Nissan NV is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2011 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Nissan NV VIN — every digit explained
Every Nissan NV carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Nissan and the country it was built in (real Nissan codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this NV.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- USA1N4 · 1N6 · 5BZ · 5N1
- Mexico3N1 · 3N6 · 3N8 · 3PC
- JapanJN1 · JN6 · JN8
- UKSJK
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your NV, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Nissan NV have?
The Nissan NV has 14 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2011–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2019 Nissan NV recalls 1
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk. The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
2018 Nissan NV recalls 1
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk. The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
2017 Nissan NV recalls 1
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
2016 Nissan NV recalls 1
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
2015 Nissan NV recalls 1
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
2014 Nissan NV recalls 2
Seat Belts:rear/other
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 NV passenger vans manufactured March 14, 2014 to May 15, 2014, equipped with seat belt retractors from Faurecia Automotive Systems. The seat belt retractor bolts on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th row removable seats may not be torqued to proper specification, or may be missing, on the affected vehicles. This can cause the seat belt anchor to not be secured properly.
Risk. If the seat belt retractor bolts are not torqued to specification, or are missing, it may cause the seat belt anchor to not be secured properly. If this occurs, the belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant in the event of a crash increasing the risk of injury.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt retractor bolt for the proper torque, and tighten if necessary, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
2013 Nissan NV recalls 3
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
What's wrong. Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 NV vehicles manufactured from December 20, 2010, through January 4, 2013 and are equipped with steering column-mounted transmission shift levers. The transmission lever gear selector plate lock clip may have been installed incorrectly. As a result, normal road vibration may cause the gear position indicator to not match the gear shift lever position.
Risk. As a consequence of the incorrect display, although the gear indicator may display that the vehicle is in Park, the vehicle may not be properly secured allowing the vehicle to roll away unexpectedly, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will correct the installation of the transmission lever gear selector plate lock clip, free of charge. The recall began on April 15, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
What's wrong. Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Titan trucks manufactured from January 22, 2013, through February 20, 2013; and model year 2013 NV vehicles manufactured from December 17, 2012, through February 20, 2013 and equipped with steering column-mounted transmission shift levers. Chemicals used in the manufacturing of the shift lever assembly may result in the malfunction of the brake shift interlock allowing the transmission shift lever to be shifted out of Park without depressing the brake pedal.
Risk. If the vehicle is unintentionally shifted out of park, it could roll away and lead to personal injury or a vehicle crash.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will remedy the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on April 15, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
2012 Nissan NV recalls 4
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
What's wrong. Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 NV vehicles manufactured from December 20, 2010, through January 4, 2013 and are equipped with steering column-mounted transmission shift levers. The transmission lever gear selector plate lock clip may have been installed incorrectly. As a result, normal road vibration may cause the gear position indicator to not match the gear shift lever position.
Risk. As a consequence of the incorrect display, although the gear indicator may display that the vehicle is in Park, the vehicle may not be properly secured allowing the vehicle to roll away unexpectedly, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will correct the installation of the transmission lever gear selector plate lock clip, free of charge. The recall began on April 15, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive
What's wrong. NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 21, 2011 AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 28, 2011 BECAUSE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU) WAS ASSEMBLED INCORRECTLY.
Risk. THE AFFECTED ACU WILL NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED AND THIS ISSUE MAY CAUSE THE AIR BAGS NOT TO INFLATE IN A CRASH WHEN THEY ARE DESIGNED TO INFLATE. THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix. NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Engine And Engine Cooling
What's wrong. NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 INFINITI FX, MODEL YEAR 2012 INFINITI M, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN FRONTIER, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN XTERRA, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN PATHFINDER, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES. SOME OF THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE ENGINE OIL FILTER TO THE ENGINE IN THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO BELOW SPECIFICATION STRENGTH. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY BREAK AT THE OIL FILTER ATTACHMENT POINT AND CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE OIL LEAK.
Risk. IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix. NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONNECTOR BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012-2017 NV Cargo and NV Passenger Van, 2013-2015 Titan and Armada and 2011-2012 Infiniti QX56 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the air bag inflator may not function properly or may rupture during deployment.
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Best and worst years for the Nissan NV
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 16 tracked years, the worst years are 2017, 2026, 2025 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2011, 2012, 2013.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 NV | — | Best | |
| 2012 NV | — | Best | |
| 2013 NV | — | Best | |
| 2014 NV | — | Average | |
| 2015 NV | — | Average | |
| 2016 NV | — | Average | |
| 2017 NV | Steering | Avoid | |
| 2018 NV | — | Average | |
| 2019 NV | — | Average | |
| 2020 NV | — | Average | |
| 2021 NV | — | Average | |
| 2022 NV | — | Average | |
| 2023 NV | — | Average | |
| 2024 NV | — | Average | |
| 2025 NV | — | Avoid | |
| 2026 NV | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Nissan NV problems?
The most-reported Nissan NV problems are Engine (1 reports), Steering (2 reports) and Hydraulic (1 reports) — out of 5 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Nissan NV specifications & dimensions
The 2014–2023 Nissan NV measures 241″ long on a 146″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 5,807 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Nissan NV window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2023 | 241″ | 80″ | 84″ | 146″ | 5,807 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Nissan NV cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the NV holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 101 cu ft of passenger volume and 15 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Nissan NV tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Nissan NV get?
The Nissan NV returns up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,500/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2021 Nissan NV (2L 4-cyl) gets 25 mpg combined and costs about $2,500/yr to fuel, emitting 360 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 5/10, smog 3/10) — about $1,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 NV | 24 | 26 | $2,500 | 360 | 3/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2020 NV | 24 | 26 | $2,500 | 356 | 3/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2019 NV | 24 | 26 | $2,500 | 356 | 3/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2018 NV | 24 | 26 | $2,500 | 356 | 3/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2017 NV | 24 | 26 | $2,500 | 354 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2016 NV | 24 | 26 | $2,500 | 353 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2015 NV | 24 | 26 | $2,500 | 353 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2014 NV | 24 | 25 | $2,600 | 363 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2013 NV | 24 | 25 | $2,600 | 363 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the NV stacks up against the most fuel-efficient cars, or calculate this NV's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Nissan NV have? Power & range
The Nissan NV is offered with 1 powertrain — 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Nissan NV cost to own?
A used Nissan NV sells for a median of about $16,995 for a 2021 — most listed between $16,995 and $19,795, from 151 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 NV | $16,995–$19,795 | 14 | |
| 2020 NV | $17,900–$34,740 | 11 | |
| 2019 NV | $13,500–$22,985 | 12 | |
| 2018 NV | $9,800–$18,489 | 23 | |
| 2017 NV | $6,750–$20,591 | 13 | |
| 2016 NV | $5,995–$18,995 | 14 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a NV is worth today, or browse used-market prices across all models.
A Nissan NV tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this NV loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $12,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the NV ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Nissan NV to insure?
A Nissan NV costs about $1,238 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 14% below the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (86, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the NV's HLDI loss index. See Nissan insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Nissan NV safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the NV yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Tired of ads? Go Pro.
- Zero ads — clean, fast pages
- Exact mileage-adjusted car values
- Full research reports + PDF
- Market charts & price-drop alerts
- …and much more
How many miles does a Nissan NV last?
A well-maintained Nissan NV typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Nissan NV’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this NV’s VIN free →All Nissan NV model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Nissan NV — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 NV | 0 | — | |
| 2025 NV | 0 | — | |
| 2024 NV | 0 | — | |
| 2023 NV | 0 | — | |
| 2022 NV | 0 | — | |
| 2021 NV | 0 | — | |
| 2020 NV | 0 | — | |
| 2019 NV | 1 recall | — | |
| 2018 NV | 1 recall | — | |
| 2017 NV | 1 recall | — | |
| 2016 NV | 1 recall | — | |
| 2015 NV | 1 recall | — | |
| 2014 NV | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2013 NV | 3 recalls | — | |
| 2012 NV | 4 recalls | — | |
| 2011 NV | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the NV?
By owner-complaint volume, 2017, 2026, 2025 drew the most reports. 2011, 2012, 2013 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the NV have?
14 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2011–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Nissan recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the NV get?
Up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a NV last?
A well-maintained NV typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the NV reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the NV is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Nissan NV warranty?
New Nissan models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Nissan dealer.
Where is the Nissan NV made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your NV's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Nissan may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the NV have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.