VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Nissan NV2002013–2021
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Nissan NV200
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Nissan NV200 Years to Avoid
1 recall · 2 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
1 recall · 5 complaints
Top issue: AIR BAGS
1 recall · 3 complaints
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the NV200 became recall.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 25, 2026.
Nissan NV200 — 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 100 | 97 | 99 | Caution |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 100 | 96 | 99 | Good |
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 100 | 92 | 97 | Caution |
| 2018 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 100 | 86 | 95 | Caution |
| 2017 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 100 | 79 | 93 | Caution |
| 2016 | 1 | 5 | — | — | 90 | 72 | 84 | Avoid |
| 2015 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 97 | 65 | 86 | Avoid |
| 2014 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 87 | 59 | 77 | Avoid |
| 2013 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 100 | 54 | 84 | Caution |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Nissan NV200 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 NV200 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 99).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year NV200 to buy?+
The 2020 Nissan NV200 scores highest on our Buyer Score (99/100) — combining a reliability score of 100/100 with a value score of 96/100. It has 1 recall and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which NV200 years have the most problems?+
The 2014, 2016, 2015 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2014 NV200 leads with 1 recalls and 2 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 NV200 problems?+
The most frequently reported Nissan NV200 issues involve: AIR BAGS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY, SEAT BELTS. 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.