MODEL
Nissan Nv3500 Safety
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.
The 2020 Nissan NV3500 earned a Safety Index score of 50 out of 100, placing it in the Weak band. This low score reflects an underdeveloped safety profile, particularly concerning for a vehicle often used for passenger transport. The absence of frontal and side crash-test ratings from NHTSA leaves a significant gap in structural safety data. The only available crash-test result, a 2 out of 5 stars for rollover risk, is genuinely concerning given the vehicle's high center of gravity. On its recall record, the NV3500 shows a strong point: zero recalls were issued across both the 2019 and 2020 model years. Owner complaints total 7 for the 2019 and 2020 models combined. While this is a low number, the complaints include one alleged crash, one alleged fire, and one alleged injury. These unverified allegations warrant consideration given the small complaint pool. Buyers prioritizing occupant protection must weigh the Weak Safety Index and the limited crash-test data carefully.
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.