According to RepairPal, regular Nissan maintenance costs plus repairs cost owners about $500 each year on average. After the factory warranty coverage expires, even a single repair like a rack and pinion replacement can quickly set you back by more than $1,400.
If you drive a Nissan vehicle and want to avoid paying for such expensive car repairs out of pocket, you could consider getting an extended warranty from a reputable third-party provider. We recently reviewed more than a dozen of the best extended auto warranty companies and rated them on coverage, trustworthiness, affordability, and convenience to help you understand what to keep in mind while buying an extended warranty.
An extended warranty can help lower your out-of-pocket ownership costs. Keep reading to learn more about how an extended warranty can protect you from unexpected repair bills well into the future.
What Is Nissan’s Recommended Maintenance Schedule?
By following the recommended Nissan maintenance schedule, you can ensure that your new car will keep running in peak condition for many years. In addition, performing your scheduled repairs may also be a requisite for availing coverage if your car is under warranty.
While the general Nissan maintenance plan is given below, specific automotive maintenance requirements may vary across Nissan models. Make sure to read your owner’s manual to determine the correct service schedule for your Nissan vehicle.
| Timing | Maintenance |
|---|---|
| 3,000 miles/3 months | Engine oil and filter change, fluid level checks and top off, adjust tire pressure, multi-point inspection |
| 5,000 miles/6 months | Tire rotation, engine oil and filter replacement, and inspection of items such as brake pads and suspension parts |
| 10,000 miles/12 months | All items in the previous checkup plus brake fluid, transmission fluid, vehicle alignment, and windshield wiper blade replacement, as well as inspection of additional items such as brake lines and drive shaft bolts |
| 15,000 miles/18 months | Battery change for the key, in-cabin air microfilter change, tire rotation, engine oil and filter replacement, and inspection of all items in the first maintenance service |
| 20,000 miles/24 months | Tire rotation, engine oil and filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, and inspection of the brake system, pads, rotors, exhaust system, steering gear and linkage, and axle and suspension parts |
| 25,000 miles/30 months | Tire rotation, engine oil and filter replacement, and inspection of the usual maintenance items |
| 30,000 miles/36 months | Replace engine air filter, engine oil and filter, brake fluid, CVT fluid, in-cabin air microfilter, and perform a multi-point inspection |
| 35,000 miles/42 months | Follow first maintenance service |
| 40,000 miles/48 months | Replace engine mounting insulator and change manual transmission oil |
| 45,000 miles/54 months | Replace key battery and in-cabin air microfilter (More items will be added to the inspection list at 50,000 miles/60 months.) |
| 60,000 miles/72 months | Replace key battery, spark plugs, in-cabin microfilter, brake fluid, engine air filter, engine oil/filter, and CVT fluid, rotate tires, and perform a standard inspection |
While you aren’t required to perform scheduled maintenance at the dealership or a Nissan service center, doing so will ensure that your vehicle will be worked on by factory-trained technicians.
How Much Does A Nissan Maintenance Plan Cost?
According to RepairPal, the cost of maintenance at 100,000 miles averages between $224 and $323, excluding taxes and fees. It’s important to keep in mind that the final cost will depend on your location, vehicle make, vehicle model, as well as the type of engine.
Common Nissan Maintenance Costs
If you have a Nissan vehicle or plan to buy one soon, knowing what to expect in terms of annual maintenance costs can help you be prepared.
While the exact schedule can differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, it is recommended to change the engine oil and filter regularly to protect internal engine components. Many modern cars have maintenance indicators that tell you when it’s time for an oil change. According to RepairPal data, if you have a Nissan Altima, you can expect to pay around $106 to $135 on labor and parts for an oil change. Taxes and fees will be extra.
Another common item on the maintenance schedule is tire rotation. This can cost around $35 to $45. While changing the in-cabin air filter will set you back by $65 to $150, removing and replacing the brake fluid will cost around $100 to $140.
Common Nissan Repair Costs
Along with maintenance, the cost of car repairs tends to rise as car age. Once Nissan’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty (3 years/36,000 miles) and powertrain warranty (5 years/60,000 miles) end, you will have to pay for all repairs out-of-pocket.
Here are a few standard Nissan repair costs per RepairPal data:
| Model | Replacement | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Altima | Air pump replacement | $1,111 to $1,335 |
| NV1500 | Head gasket replacement | $1,704 to $2,099 |
| 350Z | Radiator hose replacement | $103 to $118 |
| Altima | Drive belt tensioner replacement | $173 to $201 |
| Versa | AC evaporator replacement | $612 to $780 |
Nissan Maintenance Repair Cost Comparison
Fortunately, Nissan vehicles are very reliable, and their average repair costs are mostly on par or lower than that of other vehicles.
According to RepairPal, Nissan Altima has an average annual repair cost of $483, which is lower than the average of $526 for other midsize vehicles or $652 for all models. The number of repairs per year (0.3) and the probability of a repair being severe (12 percent) are also in line with the averages for other midsize cars.
While this may seem like good news for Nissan owners, repairs are inevitable for any car. If you end up needing an unexpected car repair tomorrow, are you prepared to pay for it?
How Does An Extended Warranty Help With Cost?
A vehicle service contract, or an extended auto warranty as it is commonly known, is not strictly a “warranty.” It applies when the original factory warranty is no longer in effect and helps pay for car repairs and mechanical breakdowns for a specified period of time or miles. This way, you can prepay your car repairs in small, convenient monthly installments instead of depleting your savings or taking out a loan to pay for a sudden, huge expense.
As the cost of labor and parts continue to rise, extended car warranties can also act as a hedge against inflation. That’s because you will still receive coverage according to your original contract terms and will have to pay only your deductible for covered repairs – even if the prices have increased.
Most extended warranty companies also throw in additional perks like roadside assistance, towing, trip interruption, and rental reimbursement, which can be a huge benefit when you are on the road and need a repair.
Our team surveyed 1,000 extended car warranty customers. Of the respondents who had used their warranties, 92 percent said the warranty covered some or all of the repairs.
Our Recommendations For Third-Party Providers
You can buy an extended warranty from the dealer or a third-party provider, but the latter will give you more flexibility in terms of choice of repair shops and coverages. Some dealer warranties are only available for cars within the original factory warranty. However, you can buy a third-party warranty almost anytime, such as when your car is 15 years old or has more than 100,000 miles on the odometer. Third-party auto warranties are also more affordable, which can make it easier for you to choose a plan that fits your budget.
There are dozens of third-party auto warranty companies in the market today, which can make choosing one provider rather overwhelming. We recommend starting with the fundamentals and narrowing down your options to reputable companies with good coverage options and a solid track record for customer service.
Our recent review of the best auto warranty companies is a smart way to kickstart your extended warranty research. Shopping around will give you an opportunity to compare quotes from different providers and select a plan that will give you the most value for your money.
Compare the top Nissan extended warranty options below to help lower your out-of-pocket vehicle ownership costs.
For example, Endurance is a direct provider of auto warranties, has six coverage levels, and is ranked 1,474 on the 2019 Inc. 5000 list. It’s our choice for Best Coverage provider.
CarShield, which offers month-to-month contracts and six coverage options, is another company worth getting a quote from if you are shopping for a car warranty. We named it Best Monthly Payments.
CARCHEX, our pick for Best for Used Cars, is endorsed by industry leaders like Edmunds.com and Kelley Blue Book, gives excellent customer service, and has 21 protection plans to suit different vehicles and budgets.
We recommend calling several providers and comparing your quotes to find out how much an extended warranty will cost.