Nissan Cube: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
Nissan Cube: 4 model years scored from 60 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns. Worst year 2011, best year 2011.
Nissan Cube: which years to avoid
Across 4 scored model years the Nissan Cube ranges from 77/100 in 2011 to 91/100 in 2013 — a 14-point spread, so which year you buy matters. The weakest year’s complaints concentrate in Power Train (15 of them).
Safest years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 — scored 70 or better.
Scored from NHTSA complaints per year of exposure and recall campaigns. How the score works · every car’s years to avoid.
Year-by-year data table
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 90 | BUY | $4,481 | 7 | 1 |
| 2013 | 91 | BUY | $4,614 | 3 | 1 |
| 2012 | 87 | BUY | $4,676 | 19 | 0 |
| 2011 | 77 | BUY | $4,928 | 31 | 0 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
Photographs and every generation of the Cube, through the years →
What goes wrong on the Nissan Cube
Across every Cube model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.
- Power Train23 complaints across all Cube years · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair$1,290–$4,040
- Electrical System10 complaints across all Cube years · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement$540–$1,310
- Air Bags8 complaints across all Cube years · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement$600–$1,700
- Unknown Or Other6 complaints across all Cube years · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair$360–$940
- Seat Belts4 complaints across all Cube years · typical job: Pretensioner or retractor replacement$360–$800
- Vehicle Speed Control3 complaints across all Cube years · typical job: Throttle body, pedal sensor or cruise module replacement$520–$1,150
Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.
FAQ
What are the best Nissan Cube years to buy?
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 all score 70 or better. The strongest is the 2013 at 91/100, on 3 complaints and 1 recall campaigns.
What is the most common Nissan Cube problem?
23 of the complaints filed against the Cube across all its model years sit in the Power Train group — more than any other component.
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Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04