Nissan Altima years to avoid
More than twice the Altima's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best Nissan Altima years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
Nissan Altima complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Nissan Altima problems
All model years combined.
- Engine3,350
- Transmission2,193
- Airbags1,956
- Electrical1,775
- Body1,752
- Steering1,340
- Lights1,233
- Suspension917
- Brakes746
- Acceleration679
- Visibility587
- Fuel system494
Most reported problems on the Nissan Altima
Nissan Altima problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | - | 1 | Driver assistance | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2025 | - | 7 | Airbags | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2024 | - | 44 | Driver assistance | 15,073 | 1 | 7 | |
| 2023 | - | 30 | Electrical | 0 | 5 | ||
| 2022 | 85 | 31 | Driver assistance | 0 | 5 | ||
| 2021 | 90 | 71 | Driver assistance | 44,011 | 2 | 7 | |
| 2020 | 79 | 162 | Electrical | 14,500 | 6 | 15 | Fewest complaints |
| 2019 | 76 | 234 | Electrical | 20,000 | 7 | 22 | Fewest complaints |
| 2018 | 85 | 226 | Brakes | 36,000 | 2 | 11 | Fewest complaints |
| 2017 | 74 | 394 | Transmission | 55,000 | 3 | 24 | |
| 2016 | 63 | 555 | Transmission | 58,000 | 4 | 28 | |
| 2015 | 40 | 956 | Lights | 57,000 | 10 | 46 | Avoid |
| 2014 | 34 | 1,114 | Lights | 64,300 | 8 | 52 | Avoid |
| 2013 | 8 | 2,315 | Airbags | 65,000 | 12 | 63 | Avoid |
| 2012 | 72 | 426 | Transmission | 75,000 | 4 | 24 | |
| 2011 | 84 | 242 | Transmission | 72,000 | 1 | 11 | |
| 2010 | 72 | 381 | Electrical | 53,128 | 3 | 25 | |
| 2009 | 26 | 1,547 | Steering | 79,000 | 4 | 36 | Avoid |
| 2008 | 41 | 1,031 | Body | 70,000 | 4 | 54 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 68 | 471 | Suspension | 62,030 | 3 | 28 | |
| 2006 | 49 | 824 | Engine | 90,000 | 3 | 43 | |
| 2005 | 40 | 1,091 | Engine | 86,000 | 1 | 48 | Avoid |
| 2004 | 83 | 276 | Engine | 73,480 | 1 | 14 | |
| 2003 | 47 | 883 | Engine | 85,000 | 4 | 41 | Avoid |
| 2002 | 40 | 1,047 | Engine | 88,173 | 5 | 29 | Avoid |
| 2001 | 79 | 159 | Engine | 66,000 | 1 | 22 | |
| 2000 | - | 159 | Engine | 84,000 | 1 | 25 | |
| 1999 | - | 86 | Brakes | 100,000 | 0 | 19 | |
| 1998 | - | 123 | Fuel system | 94,000 | 0 | 17 | |
| 1997 | - | 108 | Airbags | 96,000 | 1 | 31 | |
| 1996 | - | 92 | Airbags | 84,000 | 0 | 20 | |
| 1995 | - | 180 | Airbags | 110,000 | 3 | 37 | |
| 1994 | - | 106 | Airbags | 126,000 | 2 | 34 | |
| 1993 | - | 122 | Acceleration | 122,000 | 1 | 19 |
Recalls 54
Compare the Altima
Altima vs Honda AccordAltima vs Ford FusionAltima vs Chevrolet MalibuAltima vs Toyota CamryAltima vs Hyundai SonataAltima vs Volkswagen PassatAltima vs Kia OptimaAltima vs Subaru LegacyAltima vs Mazda MAZDA6
Nissan Altima in the news
Questions about the Nissan Altima
What years of the Nissan Altima should you avoid?
2002, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013 and 2014. Each has more than twice the Nissan Altima's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2013 alone has 2,315, mostly about airbags and transmission.
What is the best year for a used Nissan Altima?
2020, 2018 and 2019 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (162, 226 and 234).
What is the most common problem with the Nissan Altima?
Engine, with 3,350 complaints across all years, followed by transmission (2,193) and airbags (1,956).
How many recalls does the Nissan Altima have?
54 recalls between 1993 and 2026. The 2013 model year has the most, with 12.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Nissan Altima?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history