Recent headlines haven’t inspired confidence if you have a Nissan in the driveway. The Japanese automaker’s ongoing financial challenges could impact the owners of their cars in several ways, including potential delays in parts availability, slower warranty service, and reduced resale value. While Nissan remains operational, its announced plans to cut jobs, close factories, and scale back future product development signal a major shift. For current and prospective owners of models like the Altima, Rogue, Sentra, and Infiniti vehicles, it’s important to stay informed about how these changes may affect long-term ownership costs and vehicle support.

Here’s a plain-language breakdown of what’s going on with Nissan and what it means if you drive one of their models.

Nissan’s Financial Crisis

The extent of Nissan’s financial challenges comes to light when reviewing the company’s turnaround plan, dubbed Re:Nissan. An official statement reveals Nissan’s grim objectives: to reduce its total workforce by 20,000 employees by the 2027 fiscal year and to reduce the number of vehicle assembly plants from 17 to 10 within the same timeframe. It’s a significant effort to overcome the largest net loss in Nissan’s history.

Nissan was once an innovator, as seen with the Hoja de Nissan, the first mass-produced electric vehicle sold in the U.S. However, it only dabbled with hybrid power plants, even licensing Toyota’s technology almost two decades ago for the short-lived Altima Hybrid. In contrast, most of Toyota’s current lineup has a hybrid option or is hybrid-only. At the same time, Honda’s most popular offerings, like the Accord, Civic, and HR-V, are available with a hybrid system under the hood. What is the total number of Nissan hybrids available for the 2025 model year? Zero, although a Rogue Hybrid is in the works for 2026.

Adding to Nissan’s troubles is a struggling luxury division. During its peak U.S. sales year in 2012, Infiniti sold over 235,000 vehicles. Compare that to 2024, when the brand moved only 58,000 units from its upscale showrooms. Last year, Nissan had hoped a planned union with archrival Honda would be its saving grace, but the deal soon fell apart. Nissan was set on a merger of equals, while Honda expected Nissan to be a subsidiary. As a result, Japan’s number three automaker (Nissan) had no choice but to institute the draconian cuts.

What This Means for Warranty Support and Repairs

Any company making cutbacks to survive can indirectly affect the customer experience. In the case of an automaker like Nissan, this may mean that warranty fulfillment and service support are impacted. This can start with being more stringent with warranty terms. For instance, the company may mandate that required vehicle maintenance must have been performed according to the specified schedule.

Skipping an oil change or two could mean that Nissan may not honor warranty repairs if the problem can be traced back to a lack of upkeep. In some past cases across the industry, financial restructuring has impacted how quickly warranty claims are processed. While there’s no sign of that occurring yet at Nissan, it’s a development worth watching.

For current Nissan owners, the greatest challenge may be with parts availability. As Nissan closes manufacturing plants and reduces supplier relationships, sourcing replacement parts may become more difficult and expensive. The company may also reduce inventory levels for spare parts. Third-party manufacturers could step in to fill the void, but that won’t happen immediately.

Another part of Nissan’s restructuring statement stands out: the company “will temporarily pause advanced and post-FY26 product activities to mobilize 3,000 people to focus on cost reduction initiatives.” This statement indicates a strategic shift in priorities, which could result in fewer software updates or technical bulletins for current vehicles, especially those heavily reliant on digital systems.

The Risk to Resale Value and Long-Term Ownership Costs

Depreciation may not be the first thing on most car owners’ minds, but it matters during trade-in time. The challenge for Nissan owners is that their vehicles already have lower residual values than other major Japanese brands, according to CarEdge.

*Brand average for the 2020 model year based on CarEdge data. 

Resale values are directly tied to brand perception and manufacturer stability. A carmaker in the throes of uncertainty and financial instability does little to boost consumer confidence. Potential buyers may become hesitant to purchase new or used Nissans, which can lead to lower prices due to reduced demand. If market confidence wavers, some models could see less buyer interest, though resale values depend on many factors, including availability, pricing, and regional demand.

The company’s turnaround plans include reducing “parts complexity by 70%” and decreasing the number of vehicle platforms from “13 to 7 by fiscal year 2035.” That means fewer future models in Nissan showrooms, with the surviving nameplates sharing more components. That’s good news in the long term for future buyers, but it may put current owners and near-term buyers in a bind. In some cases, discontinued models may face challenges with part availability and technician familiarity, but it depends on the vehicle, region, and how Nissan manages its supply chain during the transition.

Should Nissan Owners Be Worried?

Mientras Nissan owners should be aware of what’s going on with the company, there’s no need to panic about the situation. Nissan remains in business, continuing to build cars and fulfilling warranty obligations. The restructuring plan will take time and may require years before the company’s bottom line improves.

One thing working in its favor is Nissan’s sheer size. Operating on a global scale, the company still has sizable manufacturing and distribution operations. It’s not going to disappear overnight if things were to get worse. In this case, a corporate suitor could emerge and acquire the company. Honda might return, or another player could step in. Legendary automotive brands have changed hands before. India’s Tata Group purchased Land Rover and Jaguar, and China-based Geely Holding took over Volvo. It’s not far-fetched for Hyundai-Kia to step in, or alliance partner Renault to assert more dominance. Chinese electric car brand BYD may want to get in on the action.

At the same time, Nissan continues to work with existing partners and develop new projects, indicating that other companies have confidence in Nissan’s long-term viability. Mitsubishi recently announced that it will launch a new electric vehicle (EV) in the U.S. or North America, based on the next-generation Nissan Leaf.

What current and prospective Nissan owners should pay attention to is the company’s dealership base. It’s no secret that Nissan’s 1,000+ network of retailers is also feeling the manufacturer’s pain. Noticias de automoción reported that the average operating profit for a Nissan dealership plunged by 70% during the first three quarters of 2024.

The occasional dealership closing or changing hands is typical in the auto industry, but a mass shutdown of crucial retailers is a significant warning sign. Additionally, look for reduced service hours, challenges with booking repair appointments (especially for warranty-related issues), difficulty obtaining parts, and delayed warranty repairs.

Why an Extended Warranty Adds Security During Industry Uncertainty

No one likes uncertainty, especially when it comes to a significant investment like an automobile. This is when the peace of mind provided by an garantía extendida del automóvil (también conocido como plan de protección automática o contrato de servicio de vehiculo) can be invaluable. Whether you drive a Nissan, Infiniti, or other brand, a protection plan can help cover the cost of unexpected repair bills.

In particular, an Plan de garantía Endurance locks in the coverage cost for the life of the contract. If the price of parts or labor rises, you still pay the same. It’s a smart way to leverage unpredictability. Importantly, Endurance works independently of Nissan and other automakers. So, you’re protected regardless of what’s going on in the car market. Equally vital, Endurance lets you choose any Instalación autorizada para reparaciones cubiertas, including ASE-certified mechanics and dealership service departments.

Endurance plan holders get a solid range of benefits that matter, especially once your vehicle no longer has Cobertura de garantía de fábrica. Every Endurance contract includes Asistencia en carretera 24 horas al día, 7 días a la semana (with towing), reembolso de alquiler de coche, protección contra interrupción de viaje, and access to the exclusive Aplicación móvil Endurance.

Be Ready for the Road Ahead

Learning more about your Opciones de cobertura Endurance couldn’t be easier. Solicitar presupuesto GRATIS o llamar (800) 253-8203 to speak with a plan advisor. You can also ver tu precio and recommended plans on the Endurance online store.

Learn more about your car and auto industry trends with our Blog del Centro de aprendizaje. This library of articles covers warranty insights, DIY repairs, maintenance advice, and vehicle reviews for Nissans, BMWs, and more.