5 Japanese Car Brands To Stay Away From in Retirement
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Cory Dudak
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In retirement, the right car should be easy to drive, comfortable, safe and budget-friendly. Several Japanese car brands offer just that, including Toyota, Honda and Mazda — but not all.
“Some Japanese manufacturers produce cars that will last throughout retirement with little maintenance, but not all brands offer this level of durability,” Melanie Musson, auto industry expert with AutoInsurance.org, wrote in an email.
Before you go car shopping, here are Japanese car brands experts recommend you avoid in retirement.
Nissan
“Nissan is one of the more problematic Japanese brands. They tend to have issues with transmissions, and that’s a serious problem for retirees,” Musson wrote. “You can’t drive a car with a bad transmission, and a new transmission is a serious expense that can be hard to justify on a retirement income.”
According to Lemon Law Experts, the cost to replace a Nissan CVT transmission is between $3,500 and $8,000. The brand’s powertrain warranty does cover the transmission, but only for five years or 60,000 miles.
Mitsubishi
Similar to Nissan, Musson pointed out that Mitsubishi is also prone to transmission issues.
“Retirees should look for vehicles that will require minimal maintenance. You can prepare for regularly recommended maintenance, but it’s hard to save up for major repairs,” she explained. “There’s a higher chance you’ll need to pay for big fixes on a Mitsubishi than with other Japanese vehicles.”
And when something goes wrong, Marc Skirvin, president and co-founder of Cash Auto Salvage, noted that it can be difficult to find parts and good service.
“Your local mechanic may have no experience with their systems, and the nearest dealer might be countless hours away,” Skirvin wrote in an email. “Besides, good luck if you try to resell the car down the line — who in their right mind wants a used Mitsubishi?”
Acura
Acura, which is owned by Honda, is reliable, but they aren’t cheap.
“Acura is a reliable brand, but since it manufactures luxury vehicles, they are more expensive than similarly problem-free vehicles,” Musson wrote. “So, if you need to be frugal during retirement, an Acura might not be the best option.”
Infiniti
Infiniti, owned by Nissan, has released two new reliable SUVs, according to Christopher Adam, director at Woodside Credit, specializing in collector car financing — but the brand still deals with challenges.
“Infiniti’s U.S. sales in the first half of 2025 were just 14% of BMW’s or Lexus’s volumes, raising questions about the brand’s long-term viability,” Adam explained. “For retirees, the biggest risk is the brand itself. If Infiniti were to exit the market, what happens next? Would Nissan dealers provide seamless service? Would warranties be honored? The answers are unclear.”
Subaru
Subaru is known for its quality and durability, particularly models like Outback and Forester, Adam explained. However, it struggles with comfort and technology.
“Many retirees prefer larger, more spacious vehicles, yet much of Subaru’s lineup is compact or entry-level,” Adam added. “While advanced tech isn’t always a priority for retirees, most still want a car that feels intuitive and easy to operate.”
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