Last updated: 2026-10-10
Nissan Altima Reliability by Year
Nissan Altima yearly repair costs run below the midsize average, and 2023 is the strongest used pick. Watch the airbag light.
Nissan Altima Reliability Overview
Good overall and well above average among sedans, this midsize car is a solid used buy if you pick the year with care. The 2023 model year is the one to favor, and 2020 is the one to skip. Two problems matter most: a failing brake light switch that can keep the car from starting, and an airbag warning light that can lead to a costly seat repair.
Current generation: 6th gen (2019–2023), facelifted 2023.
Best & Worst Nissan Altima Years
Best Nissan Altima Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2023 model year has no recalls and 24 owner complaints, against 162 for 2020 and 230 for 2019. Its complaints center on backup camera screens and other electrical faults, not tie rod failures or engine replacement. It has also been on the road long enough for problems to show up.
Nissan Altima Years to Avoid
Owners describe tie rods that come apart in routine turns, leaving the car impossible to steer and ending in crashes. Fires start under the dash and near the battery. Some engines fail with coolant loss at low mileage. Several owners say recall repairs did not cover their cars.
Nissan Altima Reliability Score Trend
Nissan Altima reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 83/100 compared to 75/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 79/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 83/100 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 84/100 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 82/100 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 88/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Nissan Altima
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Ranks first among the nine scored Altima years, with no complaints or recalls filed yet, though its record is still short.
2025 Nissan Altima
1 recalls · 4 complaints
Middle of the pack among Altima years, with few complaints, one latch recall and early back-over camera failures; 2024 and 2026 both rate better.
2024 Nissan Altima
1 recalls · 31 complaints
Excellent reliability and a mid-pack year for the Altima, with one steering recall and more complaints than either 2023 or 2025.
2023 Nissan Altima
0 recalls · 24 complaints
Excellent standing with no recalls and lower repair costs than the class, though electrical faults such as blank backup camera screens lead its complaints.
2022 Nissan Altima
0 recalls · 20 complaints
Excellent reliability with no recalls and far fewer complaints than 2021, though owners report phantom emergency braking and air bag trouble in crashes.
2021 Nissan Altima
2 recalls · 53 complaints
A middle-ranked year with good reliability and lower repair costs than its class, marked by door lock failures, false automatic braking, and two recalls.
2020 Nissan Altima
6 recalls · 162 complaints
Weakest of the nine scored Altima years, with six recalls and tie rod steering failures, though still rated good and close to average for 2020 sedans.
2019 Nissan Altima
8 recalls · 230 complaints
First year of the sixth generation, with eight recalls and many false emergency braking complaints, and it rates below the 2018 model.
2018 Nissan Altima
2 recalls · 217 complaints
Good reliability and well above other 2018 sedans, but among the weaker Altima years, with CVT failures and early airbag warning lights.
Found Your Nissan Altima? Check Its History
Visibility wiper (1) problems come up most in Nissan Altima owner complaints, and 20 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Nissan Altima Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4/5
Annual Repair Cost
$483
Repair Frequency
0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk
12%
$43 below the midsize cars average of $526/yr.
Ranked #11 of 24 among midsize cars.
Nissan Altima Resale Value
The Nissan Altima is estimated to retain about 65.4% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 65.4%
- Depreciation
- 34.6%
- Listings Analyzed
- 720
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Nissan Altima depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comNissan Altima Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
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Compare Nissan Altima With Similar Sedans
The Nissan Altima competes with other midsize sedans such as Subaru Legacy, Honda Accord, and Chevrolet Malibu.
Altima vs Subaru Legacy
8 years tracked · 455 complaints
Altima vs Honda Accord
9 years tracked · 3503 complaints
Altima vs Chevrolet Malibu
8 years tracked · 1193 complaints
Altima vs Hyundai Sonata
9 years tracked · 1050 complaints
Altima vs Ford Fusion
3 years tracked · 975 complaints
More Nissan Altima comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for a used Nissan Altima?
- The 2023 model year is the best pick. It has no recalls, a low complaint count, and enough time on the road for problems to appear. The 2022 model year also looks strong. Newer years with few complaints have mostly had less time to collect them.
- Is the Nissan Altima reliable?
- Yes, overall reliability is good, and it stands well above average among sedans on this site. The weak spots are concentrated in certain years, mainly 2019 and 2020. Choosing a later year, such as 2023, avoids most of the worst complaints.
- What are the most common Nissan Altima problems?
- Electrical faults lead the complaints. A failing brake light switch can stop the car from starting or shifting out of park. Next come service brake complaints, mostly a front radar that shows a false obstruction message, then airbag warning lights and steering problems.
- How much does it cost to maintain a Nissan Altima?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair cost at $483, below the $526 average for midsize cars. Individual repairs can cost far more. Owners out of warranty were quoted about $1,000 to $1,200 for front radar work, and $2,500 to $3,000 or more for an airbag seat repair.
- Why does the Altima airbag light come on?
- Owners often report the airbag light starting around 33,000 to 35,000 miles. Dealers commonly find code B0020-13, an open circuit in the wiring to the driver seat side airbag. The fix can mean replacing the upper seat back, and light-off repairs often do not last.
How we score the Nissan Altima
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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