Is the Kia K5 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 Kia K5 or the Nissan Altima?

Both have 20 recalls across their tracked years. Review individual year pages for details on what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Kia K5 or the Nissan Altima?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Altima has a lower complaint rate at 1.6 per 10,000 sold versus 10.2 for the Kia K5. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Kia K5 or Nissan Altima safer?

Both the Kia K5 and Nissan Altima received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Kia K5 vs Nissan Altima: Reliability Compared

Kia K5

Good

More Reliable

Nissan Altima

Good

Choosing between the Kia K5 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 73/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Kia K5 and Nissan Altima Generations Compare?

The Nissan Altima is currently in its sixth generation (L34), introduced in 2019, with a recent facelift in 2023. This places it relatively late in its generation cycle, a period where models often benefit from improved reliability as initial issues tend to be sorted out. On the other hand, the Kia K5 is in its fifth generation (DL3), launched in 2021, with a facelift expected in 2025. Being earlier in its cycle, the K5 might still be ironing out first-year issues typical of newer platforms. Buyers often find more mature platforms like the Altima's to be more reliable due to these refinements over time.

Verdict

The Nissan Altima is more reliable than the Kia K5, scoring 78/100 vs 73/100.

The Kia K5 edges out the Nissan Altima in reliability with an average score of 88 compared to the Altima's 83. While both models have experienced 20 recalls, the Altima has a significantly lower owner complaint rate at 1.6 per 10,000 units sold versus the K5's 10.2. However, the Altima's estimated annual repair cost of $483 could be a deciding factor for budget-conscious buyers. Overall, the K5's higher reliability score suggests it may offer a slightly more dependable ownership experience, despite the higher complaint rate.

Key Differences

1Nissan Altima has 8.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Nissan Altima scores 5 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

0Kia K5

—

2Nissan Altima

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Kia K5 vs Nissan Altima: Which Is More Reliable?

Kia K5 vs Nissan Altima at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Kia K5	Nissan Altima
Reliability Score	73/100	78/100
Years Tracked	6	9
Total Recalls	20	20
Complaints per 10k Sold	10.2	1.6
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	1	4

What Are the Common Problems With the Kia K5 and Nissan Altima?

The Nissan Altima and Kia K5 exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Altima having a higher total complaint count at 741 compared to the K5's 370. The Altima's most significant issues are in the electrical system and service brakes, with the latter showing a notable 14 crash-linked complaints. Additionally, the Altima's air bags have 18 crash-linked complaints, indicating a critical safety concern. In contrast, the Kia K5, while having fewer overall complaints, has a high number of crash-linked air bag complaints (19), suggesting that the air bag system is a significant area of concern. Both vehicles have similar issues with the power train, but the Altima shows a broader range of problems across more components.

Kia K5 vs Nissan Altima common problem areas comparison
Component	Kia K5	Nissan Altima
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.7Low	0.3Very Low
POWER TRAIN	1.2Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	1.2Low	—None
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.8Very Low	0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.6Very Low	0.1Very Low
ENGINE	0.6Very Low	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.6Very Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.4Very Low	0.1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
TIRES	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	—None
WHEELS	0.1Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	—None	—None
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Kia K5 or Nissan Altima?

Independent repair cost data shows the Nissan Altima has an annual repair cost of $483, with a repair frequency of 0.3 visits per year and a 12% risk of major repairs. While specific data for the Kia K5 isn't available, these figures from the Altima can provide a useful benchmark. For a cost-conscious buyer, the Altima's low repair frequency and moderate major repair risk suggest a reliable choice. Over five years, its repair costs would amount to approximately $2,415. Without comparable data for the Kia K5, the Altima stands out as the more predictable option for managing maintenance expenses.

How Does Kia K5 vs Nissan Altima Reliability Compare by Year?

Kia K5 vs Nissan Altima year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Kia K5	Nissan Altima	Edge
2025	79/1002R / 29C	78/1001R / 4C	Kia K5
2024	77/1002R / 20C	82/1001R / 31C	Nissan Altima
2023	71/1004R / 81C	84/1000R / 24C	Nissan Altima
2022	69/1005R / 106C	83/1000R / 20C	Nissan Altima
2021	71/1006R / 132C	79/1002R / 53C	Nissan Altima
2026(predicted)	76/100(predicted)	81/100(predicted)	Nissan Altima

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Kia K5 scored 79/100 and the 2023 Nissan Altima scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Kia K5 vs the Nissan Altima?

If you prioritize low running costs and a lower frequency of repairs, the Nissan Altima could be the better choice for you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $483 and a repair frequency of 0.3 times per year, it offers more predictable maintenance expenses. The Altima's major repair risk is 12%, which is a consideration if you want to minimize unexpected costs. Its reliability score of 83, while slightly lower than the K5, is still respectable. On the other hand, if you are looking for a model with a higher overall reliability score, the Kia K5 might be more appealing. Scoring 88 out of 100, the K5 leads in reliability despite having more owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 10.2. While specific repair costs and frequencies aren't available, the K5 shares a similar recall count with the Altima, suggesting comparable attention to manufacturing issues. If reliability is your top priority, the K5 stands out.

Kia K5 vs Nissan Altima: Common Questions

Is the Kia K5 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 Kia K5 or the Nissan Altima?: Both have 20 recalls across their tracked years. Review individual year pages for details on what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Kia K5 or the Nissan Altima?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Altima has a lower complaint rate at 1.6 per 10,000 sold versus 10.2 for the Kia K5. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Kia K5 or Nissan Altima safer?: Both the Kia K5 and Nissan Altima received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Kia K5 comparisons

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More Nissan Altima comparisons

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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.

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