MODEL
Nissan Nv3500
NHTSA safety across every Nissan Nv3500 model year we cover.
Across the 2 model years of the Nissan Nv3500 we cover (2019 to 2020), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2020 at 50 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2019 at 48. No recalls are on record across those years.
The Nissan NV3500 is a full-size, body-on-frame passenger van aimed squarely at large families, shuttle operators, and commercial buyers who need to move up to 12 people in a single vehicle. It occupies a niche that few competitors still serve, offering a high-roof configuration and a traditional American van layout. Its target buyer prioritizes cargo volume and passenger capacity over technology or refinement.
From a safety standpoint, the Nissan NV3500 presents a picture that demands careful attention. Our covered model years, 2019 and 2020, produce a best NHTSA Safety Index of just 50 out of 100 for the 2020 model, landing firmly in the Weak band. That score alone should give any prospective buyer pause, particularly one carrying passengers for hire or transporting a large family. The crash-test picture is thin: frontal and side ratings are not rated by NHTSA, leaving shoppers with almost no structural crash data to evaluate. The one data point that exists, a rollover rating of 2 out of 5 stars, is genuinely concerning for a tall, high-center-of-gravity van that may be loaded with passengers or cargo. On the positive side, the NV3500 carries zero recalls across both covered model years, which is a meaningful bright spot. Owner complaints are low at 7 total, though those 7 reports include one alleged crash, one alleged fire, and one alleged injury. These are unverified allegations, but they are worth noting given how small the complaint pool is. The bottom line here is straightforward: the NV3500 offers genuine utility and passenger capacity, but its safety profile is underdeveloped. Buyers who prioritize occupant protection should weigh that Weak index and the near-absence of crash-test data very seriously before committing.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the NV3500 as a no-frills workhorse that delivers on raw passenger and cargo capacity but lags behind more modern alternatives in cabin refinement, interior materials, and driving comfort. Its upright, truck-derived character is seen as functional rather than polished, and most reviewers note that its value proposition depends almost entirely on the buyer needing that specific combination of space and straightforward operation.
- The NV3500 earns a Weak NHTSA Safety Index score of 50 out of 100 in its best covered year (2020), placing it at the lower end of the safety spectrum for any vehicle carrying multiple occupants.
- Frontal and side crash-test ratings are not available from NHTSA for these model years, meaning shoppers have almost no independent structural crash data to evaluate before purchase.
- The only available crash-test star rating is a 2 out of 5 for rollover resistance, a meaningful concern given the van's tall roof, high center of gravity, and potential for heavy passenger or cargo loads.
- Despite the weak safety scores, the NV3500 carries zero recalls across the 2019 and 2020 model years, and total owner complaints are low at 7, though those complaints include one alleged crash, one alleged fire, and one alleged injury, all unverified.