Nissan ranked highest among mass-market brands in the 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study, announced June 26, 2025. It ranked second overall, behind Lexus. That result describes owners’ reported problems during a vehicle’s first 90 days—not long-term reliability—and it is not Nissan’s current brand standing: Nissan says it ranked second among mass-market brands in the 2026 study.
What Nissan’s No. 1 ranking means
The 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS) compared new 2025 model-year vehicles using feedback from purchasers and lessees about their first 90 days of ownership. Nissan says the study covered 223 potential problems across nine categories, including infotainment, features, driving experience and build quality. The results are expressed as problems per 100 vehicles (PP100); fewer reported problems indicate a better score. Nissan’s 2025 announcement
J.D. Power’s chart places Nissan first among mass-market brands and second overall, behind Lexus, which led the overall and premium-brand rankings. J.D. Power cautions that numerical rank differences are not necessarily statistically significant. The result is therefore evidence of a strong showing in this particular study, not proof that every Nissan is better built than every competitor. J.D. Power’s 2025 study results
Which Nissan models led their segments?
Nissan’s announcement names three segment leaders and says two other models placed among the top three. J.D. Power’s chart confirms the Sentra and Altima segment leads. These are comparisons within vehicle segments and reflect the study’s first-90-days measure.
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| 2025 model | 2025 IQS result | What the result covers |
|---|---|---|
| Sentra | Highest in Compact Car | First-90-days initial quality; J.D. Power’s chart confirms the segment lead. |
| Altima | Highest in Midsize Car | First-90-days initial quality; J.D. Power’s chart confirms the segment lead. |
| Rogue | Among the top three in its segment | Nissan’s announcement; the 2025 release does not specify a precise place in the supplied results. |
| Frontier | Among the top three in its segment | Nissan’s announcement; the 2025 release does not specify a precise place in the supplied results. |
| Pathfinder | Among the top three in its segment | Nissan’s announcement; the 2025 release does not specify a precise place in the supplied results. |
A segment award can help narrow a comparison, but it does not establish that a model is the right purchase for a particular driver. It also does not mean every trim or individual vehicle will have the same ownership experience.
Does a 90-day quality result predict long-term reliability?
No. IQS measures problems reported early in ownership. It is not a direct measure of breakdowns, repair costs or durability over several years. Treat it as one piece of evidence about the new-vehicle experience, not as a guarantee of trouble-free ownership or a substitute for separate long-term reliability information.
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The available 2024 methodology illustrates why study details should not be carried from one edition to another: J.D. Power said that year’s study used responses from 99,144 purchasers and lessees of new 2024 model-year vehicles surveyed after 90 days. That respondent count and the 2024 repair-data methodology are specific to the 2024 edition; they do not establish the 2025 sample size or methods. J.D. Power’s 2024 study announcement
What changed in the 2026 study?
Nissan’s June 2026 announcement says the brand ranked second among mass-market brands in the 2026 U.S. IQS, while the Rogue ranked No. 1 in the Compact SUV segment. Nissan describes that edition as surveying owners about 227 potential problems across nine categories in the first 90 days. The 2025 brand-leading result is therefore historical, not the latest brand ranking. Nissan’s 2026 announcement
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Nissan Americas chairman Christian Meunier said, “Quality is foundational to how we design, engineer and build every Nissan. That focus is reflected in our performance in the JD Power Initial Quality Study.” This is Nissan’s explanation of its approach; the published statement does not establish which manufacturing changes caused the brand’s ranking or why it differed between editions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to use the result when shopping
For a purchase decision, compare the specific model year and trim you are considering on the factors that affect your budget and daily use. The IQS results address early reported problems; they do not supply a complete ownership-cost or suitability comparison.
Quick Recap
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- International products have separate terms, are sold from abroad and may differ from local products, including fit, age ratings, and language of product, labeling or instructions.
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- Compare the current vehicle’s total price with your budget.
- Check warranty terms and what they cover.
- Compare fuel economy for your driving pattern.
- Review the safety equipment included on the exact trim.
- Assess space, fit and comfort in person where possible.
- Look for separate long-term reliability evidence rather than treating an initial-quality ranking as a durability rating.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
