VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Nissan GT-R20092026

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

TOP PICK
2020
Buyer Score 94/100
18
Years Analyzed
5
Total Recalls
32
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries

Best Years to Buy a Nissan GT-R

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK6yr old
2020
Strong Buy · 94/100
Reliability100/100
Value window84/100
Recalls0
Complaints0
#2 PICK4yr old
2022
Strong Buy · 94/100
Reliability100/100
Value window82/100
Recalls0
Complaints0
#3 PICK5yr old
2021
Strong Buy · 93/100
Reliability95/100
Value window88/100
Recalls1
Complaints0

Nissan GT-R Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2009

1 recall · 19 complaints

Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#2 WORST
2010

0 recalls · 11 complaints

Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

#3 WORST
2015

1 recall · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Nissan GT-R — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
202600
100
30
76
Excellent
202500
100
42
80
Excellent
202400
100
58
85
Excellent
202300
100
72
90
Excellent
202200
100
82
94
Excellent
202110
95
88
93
Good
202000
100
84
94
Excellent
201910
95
74
88
Good
201800
100
62
87
Excellent
201700
100
50
83
Excellent
201610
95
40
76
Good
201510
95
40
76
Good
201400
100
40
79
Excellent
201301
99
40
78
Excellent
201200
100
40
79
Excellent
201101
99
40
78
Excellent
2010011
89
40
72
Caution
2009119
76
40
63
Avoid

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Known Nissan GT-R Problems

Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4
POWER TRAIN
3
VISIBILITY
1
SERVICE BRAKES
1

Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the GT-R compares — best year within each era shown.

2018–Present

Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2020 (Buyer Score 94).

Best: 2020

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: 2017 (Buyer Score 83).

Best: 2017

Pre-2013

Older GT-R models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.

Proceed with Caution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year GT-R to buy?+

The 2020 Nissan GT-R scores highest on our Buyer Score (94/100) — combining a reliability score of 100/100 with a value score of 84/100. It has 0 recalls and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which GT-R years have the most problems?+

The 2009, 2010, 2015 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2009 GT-R leads with 1 recalls and 19 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 GT-R problems?+

The most frequently reported Nissan GT-R issues involve: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.

Deep-Dive Research

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

Run a VIN Check →