Last updated: 2026-05-15
Dodge Charger vs Nissan Altima: Reliability Compared
Dodge Charger
Nissan Altima
Choosing between the Dodge Charger 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 full-size 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 73/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Dodge Charger and Nissan Altima Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Altima is more reliable than the Dodge Charger, scoring 78/100 vs 73/100.
The Nissan Altima demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Dodge Charger, with an average reliability score of 78/100 versus the Charger's 73/100. The Altima also benefits from a lower owner complaint rate of 1.6 per 10,000 sold, compared to the Charger's 2.2. While both vehicles share common issues such as electrical system and power train problems, the Altima's estimated annual repair cost of $483 is notably lower than the Charger's $652. These factors make the Altima a more reliable choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking a midsize sedan.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Altima costs $169 less per year to repair
- 2Nissan Altima scores 5 points higher in reliability
- 3Nissan Altima has 5 fewer total recalls
Category Scoreboard
Dodge Charger vs Nissan Altima: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Dodge Charger | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 73/100 | 78/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 25 | 20 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 2.2 | 1.6 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $652/yr | $483/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 15% | 12% |
| Year Wins | 1 | 7 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Charger and Nissan Altima?
The Nissan Altima and Dodge Charger both exhibit significant issues with their electrical systems, but the Altima has a higher volume of complaints in this category. Notably, the Altima also faces more crash-linked issues with its service brakes, air bags, and steering systems compared to the Charger. In terms of air bag-related complaints, both models show a high number, with the Charger slightly exceeding the Altima in crash-linked air bag incidents. Additionally, while the Altima has substantial problems related to forward collision avoidance, the Charger does not report significant issues in this area.
| Component | Dodge Charger | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.5Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.6Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Dodge Charger or Nissan Altima?
How Does Dodge Charger vs Nissan Altima Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Dodge Charger | Nissan Altima | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 71/1002R / 10C | 78/1001R / 4C | Nissan Altima |
| 2024 | 73/1002R / 4C | 82/1001R / 31C | Nissan Altima |
| 2023 | 76/1002R / 22C | 84/1000R / 24C | Nissan Altima |
| 2022 | 74/1003R / 11C | 83/1000R / 20C | Nissan Altima |
| 2021 | 76/1002R / 29C | 79/1002R / 53C | Nissan Altima |
| 2020 | 75/1003R / 54C | 71/1006R / 162C | Dodge Charger |
| 2019 | 71/1005R / 118C | 72/1008R / 230C | Nissan Altima |
| 2018 | 69/1006R / 121C | 76/1002R / 217C | Nissan Altima |
| 2026(predicted) | 73/100(predicted) | 81/100(predicted) | Nissan Altima |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Dodge Charger scored 76/100 and the 2023 Nissan Altima scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Dodge Charger vs the Nissan Altima?
Dodge Charger vs Nissan Altima: Common Questions
- Is the Dodge Charger 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 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Dodge Charger or the Nissan Altima?
- The Dodge Charger has more recalls (25) 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 Dodge Charger or the Nissan Altima?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Altima has a lower complaint rate at 1.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 2.2 for the Dodge Charger. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Charger or the Nissan Altima?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Altima is cheaper to maintain at $483/year versus $652/year for the Dodge Charger.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Dodge Charger and Nissan Altima? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue