Last updated: 2026-03-04
Nissan Altima vs Toyota Camry: Reliability Compared
Nissan Altima
Toyota Camry
Choosing between the Nissan Altima and the Toyota Camry? 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 77/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Altima is more reliable than the Toyota Camry, scoring 78/100 vs 77/100.
The Toyota Camry edges out the Nissan Altima in overall reliability with an average reliability score of 88/100 versus the Altima's 83/100. Despite having more recalls over nine years (35 for the Camry versus 20 for the Altima), the Camry boasts a lower estimated annual repair cost at $388 compared to the Altima's $483. While the Altima has a slightly lower owner complaint rate of 1.6 per 10,000 sold compared to the Camry's 2.1, the Camry's lower repair costs and higher reliability score make it a more dependable choice for midsize sedan buyers.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Camry costs $95 less per year to repair
- 2Nissan Altima has 15 fewer total recalls
- 3Nissan Altima scores 1 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Nissan Altima vs Toyota Camry: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Nissan Altima | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 78/100 | 77/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 20 | 35 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 1.6 | 2.1 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $483/yr | $388/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 12% | 11% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 4 | 4 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry?
The Toyota Camry exhibits a higher total number of complaints compared to the Nissan Altima, but both models share similar concerns regarding their power train and electrical systems. Notably, the Camry has a significant number of crash-linked complaints related to its air bags (58) and service brakes (23), highlighting potential safety issues. In contrast, the Altima's most reported problems are with the electrical system and unknown or other categories, with fewer overall crash-linked complaints, except in the air bags category where it also has a notable 18 crash-related complaints. Both vehicles show vulnerabilities in critical safety components, though the Camry's issues appear more pronounced in terms of crash-related incidents.
| Component | Nissan Altima | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.1Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Nissan Altima or Toyota Camry?
How Does Nissan Altima vs Toyota Camry Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Nissan Altima | Toyota Camry | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 78/1001R / 4C | 76/1004R / 6C | Nissan Altima |
| 2024 | 82/1001R / 31C | 83/1002R / 35C | Toyota Camry |
| 2023 | 84/1000R / 24C | 79/1004R / 47C | Nissan Altima |
| 2022 | 83/1000R / 20C | 84/1002R / 47C | Toyota Camry |
| 2021 | 79/1002R / 53C | 82/1002R / 144C | Toyota Camry |
| 2020 | 71/1006R / 162C | 75/1005R / 253C | Toyota Camry |
| 2019 | 72/1008R / 230C | 70/1008R / 364C | Nissan Altima |
| 2018 | 76/1002R / 217C | 65/1008R / 708C | Nissan Altima |
| 2026(predicted) | 81/100(predicted) | 79/100(predicted) | Nissan Altima |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Nissan Altima scored 84/100 and the 2022 Toyota Camry scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Nissan Altima vs the Toyota Camry?
Nissan Altima vs Toyota Camry: Common Questions
- Is the Nissan Altima more reliable than the Toyota Camry?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Altima is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 77/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Nissan Altima or the Toyota Camry?
- The Toyota Camry has more recalls (35) 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 Nissan Altima or the Toyota Camry?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Altima has a lower complaint rate at 1.6 per 10,000 sold versus 2.1 for the Toyota Camry. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Nissan Altima or the Toyota Camry?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Camry is cheaper to maintain at $388/year versus $483/year for the Nissan Altima.
- Is the Nissan Altima or Toyota Camry safer?
- Both the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry 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.
Related Reliability 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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