2009 Nissan Maxima vs 2009 Toyota RAV4
Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.
2009 Nissan Maxima
2009 Toyota RAV4
Stories from the shop
These come from different vehicle segments, which means we're not declaring a winner here. The 2009 Nissan Maxima scores 3.6; the 2009 Toyota RAV4 scores 3.6. Different testing populations, different driving patterns, different categories of failure. Use the data below to understand what each one is good at and what each one breaks.
If you lean 2009 Nissan Maxima, know what you're getting into on steering and electrical. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2009 Toyota RAV4 sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.
Going with the 2009 Toyota RAV4? Watch the cruise control and suspension. The 2009 Nissan Maxima has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.
Bottom line: these are different categories of vehicle. Pick based on what you actually need it for. We're showing the reliability data so you can factor in long-term ownership cost, not pick a winner.
Side-by-side by problem area
Common questions
Which is more reliable, the 2009 Nissan Maxima or the 2009 Toyota RAV4?
It's close to a tie. Both vehicles score within 0.2 points on our reliability index (3.6 vs 3.6). At this margin, either choice is defensible — base your decision on the specific failure modes that matter to you.
What goes wrong more often on the 2009 Nissan Maxima?
Compared to the 2009 Toyota RAV4, the 2009 Nissan Maxima sees more reported issues in steering and electrical. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.
What goes wrong more often on the 2009 Toyota RAV4?
Compared to the 2009 Nissan Maxima, the 2009 Toyota RAV4 has more complaints in cruise control and suspension. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.
Which has more recalls?
Both vehicles have 0 active recalls. Total recall count alone isn't a great signal — what matters is severity. See the recall counts by severity in the comparison table.
Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?
Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $13,100 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.