Last updated: 2026-04-20

RELIABILITY SCORE: 81/100 (EXCELLENT)

2026 Nissan Altima Reliability Report

Name: 2026 Nissan Altima
Brand: Nissan

The 2026 Nissan Altima has a predicted reliability score of 81/100 based on prior model year data. Early data shows 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

N/A

Est. Repair Cost

$483

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,000–$2,150

The Verdict

Buy

Based on historical reliability patterns, predicted to score 81/100 — a strong pick.

Should You Buy the 2026 Nissan Altima?

The 2026 Nissan Altima has a predicted reliability score of 81/100 ("Excellent") based on prior model year performance.

So far: 0 recalls, 0 owner complaints. No owner-reported issues on file yet.

Prior model years suggest dependable ownership. Confirm all recall repairs are completed, and consider a pre-purchase inspection for used examples.

See also the 2025 Nissan Altima for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Strong predicted reliability based on prior model years
+$43 cheaper to maintain than avg midsize cars
+Infrequent unscheduled repairs
+Low major repair risk (12%)
+No recalls issued

Cons

−Score is a prediction — real-world data still developing

Compare 2026 Nissan Altima With

2026 Toyota Camry

Predicted: 79/100

Predicted

2026 Honda Accord

Predicted: 78/100

Predicted

2026 Hyundai Sonata

Predicted: 70/100

Predicted

2026 KIA K5

Predicted: 76/100

Predicted

2026 Tesla Model 3

Predicted: 62/100

Predicted

Recall Overview

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2026 Nissan Altima — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

complaints

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2026 Nissan Altima? Check its history first

Every 2026 Nissan Altima has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2026 Nissan Altima NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 9.2%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (No)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Driver Monitoring System (No)Automatic High Beams (Standard)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Nissan AltimaRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$483

vs $526 avg for midsize cars

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.3

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

12%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Altima

$483

Category Avg

$526

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

28–30 MPG

Running cost: $2,500–$2,650/yr

Fuel + repair

25–26 city / 33–36 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2026 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Altima 2.5L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	26	36	30	$2,000
Altima AWD 2.5L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	25	33	28	$2,150

Best & Worst Nissan Altima Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Nissan Altima Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

The best Nissan Altima year is 2023 with a reliability score of 84/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2022 (83/100) and 2024 (82/100).

Top Pick

Excellent

Nissan Altima Years to Avoid

The worst Nissan Altima year is 2020 with a score of 71/100, primarily due to electrical system (33) issues. Also avoid 2019 (72/100).

Good

2020

6Recalls

162Complaints

Good

2019

8Recalls

230Complaints

See full Nissan Altima years-to-avoid analysis

Nissan Altima Reliability Score Trend

Nissan Altima reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 82/100 compared to 75/100 for older years.

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Nissan Altima reliability scores by year
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

Nissan Altima Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026(selected)	81/100 (predicted)	—	Predicted	0	0
2025	78/100	-4	Good	1	4
2024	82/100	-2	Excellent	1	31
2023	84/100	+1	Excellent	0	24
2022	83/100	+4	Excellent	0	20
2021	79/100	+8	Good	2	53
2020	71/100	-1	Good	6	162
2019	72/100	-4	Good	8	230
2018	76/100	—	Good	2	217

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Nissan Altima reliable?

The 2026 Nissan Altima has a predicted reliability score of 81/100 ("Excellent") based on prior model year data. So far there are 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints on file. This is a prediction — the actual score will be available once more real-world data accumulates.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Nissan Altima?

There aren't enough owner complaints to establish common problem patterns yet for the 2026 Nissan Altima. Based on prior model years, review known issues from previous years to understand potential problem areas.

How many recalls does the 2026 Nissan Altima have?

The 2026 Nissan Altima has no recalls on record, which is a positive indicator.

How is the predicted score calculated?

The predicted score of 81/100 is calculated by averaging reliability scores from prior model years of the same generation. When generation data is unavailable, the average of the most recent model years is used. The prediction updates automatically as new data becomes available.

Don’t buy a 2026 Nissan Altima without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

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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