VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Nissan Cube2009–2014
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Nissan Cube
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Nissan Cube Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 82 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 recalls · 38 complaints
5 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
0 recalls · 21 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the Cube became recall.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 25, 2026.
Nissan Cube — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 7 | — | — | 79 | 52 | 70 | Good |
| 2013 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 87 | 47 | 73 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 0 | 14 | — | — | 72 | 43 | 62 | Good |
| 2011 | 0 | 21 | 2 | — | 62 | 40 | 54 | Good |
| 2010 | 2 | 38 | 5 | — | 62 | 40 | 54 | Caution |
| 2009 | 3 | 82 | 2 | — | 62 | 40 | 54 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Nissan Cube Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Cube compares — best year within each era shown.
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2013 (Buyer Score 73).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Cube to buy?+
The 2013 Nissan Cube scores highest on our Buyer Score (73/100) — combining a reliability score of 87/100 with a value score of 47/100. It has 1 recall and 2 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Cube years have the most problems?+
The 2009, 2010, 2011 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2009 Cube leads with 3 recalls and 82 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Cube problems?+
The most frequently reported Nissan Cube issues involve: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, STEERING, ENGINE. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.