Last updated: 2026-03-04
BMW 5-Series vs Nissan Altima: Reliability Compared
BMW 5-Series
Nissan Altima
Choosing between the BMW 5-Series and the Nissan Altima? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Nissan Altima currently leads with an average score of 78/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Nissan Altima is more reliable than the BMW 5-Series, scoring 78/100 vs 66/100.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Altima has 34 fewer total recalls
- 2Nissan Altima scores 12 points higher in reliability
- 3Nissan Altima has 2.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
BMW 5-Series vs Nissan Altima: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | BMW 5-Series | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 78/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 54 | 20 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 3.9 | 1.6 |
| Year Wins | 0 | 7 |
What Are the Common Problems With the BMW 5-Series and Nissan Altima?
| Component | BMW 5-Series | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does BMW 5-Series vs Nissan Altima Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | BMW 5-Series | Nissan Altima | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 71/1005R / 0C | 78/1001R / 4C | Nissan Altima |
| 2023 | 70/1002R / 7C | 84/1000R / 24C | Nissan Altima |
| 2022 | 68/1003R / 13C | 83/1000R / 20C | Nissan Altima |
| 2021 | 66/1008R / 21C | 79/1002R / 53C | Nissan Altima |
| 2020 | 67/1007R / 10C | 71/1006R / 162C | Nissan Altima |
| 2019 | 62/10011R / 67C | 72/1008R / 230C | Nissan Altima |
| 2018 | 59/10017R / 212C | 76/1002R / 217C | Nissan Altima |
| 2026(predicted) | 70/100(predicted) | 81/100(predicted) | Nissan Altima |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 BMW 5-Series scored 71/100 and the 2023 Nissan Altima scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
BMW 5-Series vs Nissan Altima: Common Questions
- Is the BMW 5-Series more reliable than the Nissan Altima?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Altima is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the BMW 5-Series or the Nissan Altima?
- The BMW 5-Series has more recalls (54) compared to the Nissan Altima (20). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the BMW 5-Series or the Nissan Altima?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Altima has a lower complaint rate at 1.6 per 10,000 sold versus 3.9 for the BMW 5-Series. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More BMW 5-Series comparisons
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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