How Long Do Nissan NVs Last? (Miles & Years)

The Nissan NV series is Nissan’s first group of full-size passenger and cargo vans. With a powerful V8 engine and ample interior space, both varieties deliver exceptional capabilities to their users.

The unique features of the Nissan NV make the van a desirable vehicle to drive. This article will discuss the longevity of the Nissan NV and the tips you need to enjoy your favorite van for as long as possible.

Before we start, check our article about the most common issues with the Nissan NV models.

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Here’s the short answer to how long Nissan NVs last:

A well-maintained Nissan NV van can last up to 150k to 300k miles without major issues. That means you can get up to 10 to 20 years of head-ache-free use from this vehicle if you drive an average of 15,000 miles per year.

Getting this level of longevity depends on your use habits and maintenance.

How Many Miles Should You Expect From a Nissan NV?

Nissan NVs often last between 150,000 to 300,000 miles. That said, your Nissan NV may have a shorter lifespan if you fail to maintain the van regularly. In addition, carrying heavy luggage with your van frequently may reduce its durability.

How Soon Should You Expect Your Nissan NV to Rust?

Most Nissan NVs start rusting about seven years after production. According to Nissan NV drivers, rusting often begins from the roof before spreading to other parts of the van. If you find rust on your Nissan NV, spray the van’s body with Rust Preventive Coating.

Some drivers have claimed to find rust on the body of their newly purchased Nissan NVs. Research reveals that what these drivers confuse for rust is actually rail dust. Rail dust are small pieces of metal that appears on vehicles that are transported by rail.

At first, these tiny metals are too small to be visible to the naked eye. But they soon become larger and take the semblance of rust.

You can clear up the rail dust on your Nissan NV van by applying clay bar to the vehicle’s body. If you are good with your hands, you can do the application yourself. Drivers who are less skilled at using tools may seek the help of a professional detailer to spray clay bar on their van.

Since rust affects the appearance of your Nissan NV van, you might want to delay it for as long as possible. Wax your Nissan NV at least once every three months to prevent corrosion on the van.

How Long Do Nissan NVs Last Compared to Similar Vans?

Before buying a Nissan NV, you might want to know if it lasts longer than other vans in its category. The comparison below will answer your question:

Nissan NV vs. Ford Transit

Nissan NVs have the same longevity as Ford Transits. Both vans often last between 150,000 -300,000 miles. However, the NV van has lower operating costs.

While it costs $947 to repair the Ford Transit 250 annually, the Nissan NV200 requires only $645 in annual repair costs, according to RepairPal. Over the years, the over $300 disparity in repair expenses can make a lot of difference.

Nissan NV vs. Ram Promaster

Ram Promaster vans tend to last longer than Nissan NVs. While the average Nissan NV lasts for 150,000 miles, most Ram Promasters stay in good shape even after 200,000 miles. With an annual repair bill of over $1,000, the Dodge Ram Promaster is way more expensive to operate than the Nissan NV.

Nissan NV vs. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

If you take proper care of your Nissan NV, it should last longer than a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Usually, Mercedes-Benz Sprinters start losing their function after 200,000 miles. In contrast, a well-tended Nissan NV can stay in good shape for as long as 300,000 miles.

The comparison above shows that Nissan NVs often have a higher longevity rate than their rival vans when they enjoy regular maintenance. If you pay attention to your Nissan NV van, you should be able to drive it for a long period.

How Reliable Is a Nissan NV?

The reliability of most Nissan NV vehicles is only about average. For instance, RepairPal scored the Nissan NV1500 a 3.5 out of 5 in reliability. The website also gave the NV2500 a reliability score of 2.5 out of 5.

The reason Nissan NVs have low reliability is the high occurrence of expensive faults in the vehicle. While these issues rarely occur, they are often quite severe.

The Best and Worst Model Years of Nissan NVs

So far, 2021 is the best model year for the Nissan NV. No 2021 Nissan NV driver has issued a complaint about the model year.

We have a full list here of the best and worst years for the Nissan NV vans.

Although it’s been almost one year after the release of the 2021 Nissan NV, the automaker has had no reason to recall the model year.

Car Complaint data shows the 2016 model year is the worst for the Nissan NV. This model year has the highest number of complaints across all Nissan NV model years.

Some drivers claimed that the vehicle’s roof started leaking after a few thousand miles. Also, a few others complained the engine stopped abruptly on the highway.

What About Recalls for These Models?

There are few recalls for the NV models. However, Nissan recalled some 2016 NV models over a fault in their Occupant Classification System. This feature may mistake an adult occupant in the front passenger seat for a child. As a result, the vehicle may not activate the frontal airbag when a crash occurs.

Nissan NV Model Year List

Here’s a list of the Nissan NV model year:

2012 Nissan NV
2013 Nissan NV
2014 Nissan NV
2015 Nissan NV
2016 Nissan NV
2017 Nissan NV
2018 Nissan NV
2019 Nissan NV
2020 Nissan NV
2021 Nissan NV

Are Nissan NVs Expensive to Maintain?

Nissan NVs are cheap to maintain. The average van costs about $963 per year. However, yearly maintenance of a Nissan NV2500 may only cost an average of $906 per year.

How Long Do Nissan NV Brake Pads Last?

You can expect your Nissan NV brake pads to last between 30,000 to 70,000 miles. That said, your Nissan NV brake pads may have a shorter lifespan if you often drive at high speeds.

If you press your brake while over-speeding, they have to deal with more energy. This translates into greater heat for your Nissan brake pads, thus wearing them out quickly.

Another habit that can reduce the longevity of your Nissan NV van is overloading it. When you fill your van with too much load, your brake pads feel the impact every time you press on the brakes. In the long run, this makes them lose their shape fast.

If you constantly hear a squealing noise from your Nissan NV brake pads, it may be time to change them. It costs between $150 to $300 to replace Nissan NV brake pads.

How Long Do Nissan NV Tires Last?

The average lifespan of a Nissan NV tire is 60,000 miles. Your Nissan NV tires will likely last even longer if you create a maintenance schedule and stick to it religiously.

Rotating and aligning your tires regularly can also make them more durable. The recommended interval for rotating Nissan NV tires is every 6,000 miles.

How Long Do Nissan NV Transmissions Last?

The transmissions in Nissan NV vans can last for about 100,000 miles. Nevertheless, your Nissan NV transmission will most likely last longer if you replace the fluid as recommended.

How Long Do Nissan NV Spark Plugs Last?

Nissan NV spark plugs can last as long as 100,000 miles. That said, it’s best to change your spark plugs immediately they start going bad to avoid impeding your vehicle’s performance.

What About Insurance Cost of Nissan NVs?

It costs about $1,370 yearly to insure a Nissan NV, as per Insuraviz.com

However, if you reside in an area that is notorious for criminal activities, you may have to pay more than the average amount. Other factors that determine the actual insurance premium you pay are your age and driving record.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Nissan NVs

Here are ways to improveyour Nissan NV van’s longevity.

Always drive carefully
Never leave your engine running idle for a long time.
If you have several short trips to make, do your best to do all your errands in one drive.
Never miss a scheduled maintenance appointment with your professional Nissan NV mechanic.
Stay up to date on all Nissan recalls. If Nissan recalls your vehicle model, send your van to the nearest Nissan dealership immediately.

Sources

2021 Nissan NV2500 – Reliability Rating | RepairPal

NISSAN NV | carcomplaints.com

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