Nissan Altima years to avoid (and the best years)

7,160 NHTSA owner complaints and 32 recalls across 15 model years, 2010 to 2024. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

Compared with: Nissan Sentra

7,160complaints
32recalls
344reported crashes
64reported fires
307reported injuries
4reported deaths

Which Nissan Altima years should you avoid?

By NHTSA owner complaints, the Nissan Altima years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The typical Nissan Altima year has 241 complaints on file.

2013: 2,310 complaints, 9.6 times the typical year. Most reported problem: Dim low beam headlights.
2014: 1,113 complaints, 4.6 times the typical year. Most complaints name the exterior lighting (27% of complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (19% of complaints).
2015: 952 complaints, 4.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the exterior lighting (28% of complaints) and the airbags (19% of complaints).
2016: 553 complaints, 2.3 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (42% of complaints) and the engine (16% of complaints).

What are the best Nissan Altima years?

The Nissan Altima years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2022 (20), 2023 (29) and 2021 (70). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	vs typical year	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2024	41	0.2×	1	7	6	Few red flags	Forward collision avoidance system
2023	29	0.1×	0	5	2	Few red flags	Electrical system
2022	20	0.1×	0	4	3	Few red flags	Forward collision avoidance system
2021	70	0.3×	2	7	4	Few red flags	Forward collision avoidance system
2020	179	0.7×	6	16	15	Some concerns to check	Electrical system
2019	231	1.0×	7	22	11	Few red flags	Electrical system
2018	225	0.9×	2	11	6	Few red flags	Brakes
2017	391	1.6×	3	24	23	Some concerns to check	Transmission and drivetrain
2016	553	2.3×	4	28	32	Approach with caution	Transmission and drivetrain
2015	952	4.0×	10	46	27	Approach with caution	Exterior lighting
2014	1,113	4.6×	8	51	58	Approach with caution	Exterior lighting
2013	2,310	9.6×	12	63	48	Approach with caution	Dim low beam headlights
2012	425	1.8×	4	24	26	Some concerns to check	Transmission and drivetrain
2011	241	1.0×	1	11	9	Few red flags	Transmission and drivetrain
2010	380	1.6×	3	25	37	Some concerns to check	Electrical system

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 999 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Engine & powertrain300 (30%)
Electrical & infotainment157 (16%)
Other systems154 (15%)
Steering, suspension & tires104 (10%)
Brakes96 (10%)

Recalls (32)

Engine · 25V437000 · Jun 2025 · model years 2019, 2020
Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk of an engine fire.
Steering · 23V882000 · Dec 2023 · model year 2024
A loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 23V628000 · Sep 2023 · model years 2019, 2020, 2021
A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 21V169000 · Mar 2021 · model years 2019, 2020
Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 21V138000 · Mar 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Tires · 20V685000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2020
Over cured tires can result in a sidewall break causing a sudden loss of air or the tread separating from the tire. Both conditions increase the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 20V570000 · Sep 2020 · model year 2020
Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 20V315000 · May 2020 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Safety · 19V654000 · Sep 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 19V316000 · Apr 2019 · model year 2019
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Exterior lighting · 19V235000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2019
If the brake switch remains in the ON position, the brake lights will remain illuminated when the brakes are not being pressed, which may confuse other drivers. Additionally, the transmission shift lever may be moved out of the Park position without the brake pedal being pressed, allowing the vehicle to roll unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 18V922000 · Dec 2018 · model year 2019
If the retainer clip is unlocked, the fuel tube may shift and cause a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire. If the fuel tube fully disconnects, the engine can stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 18V915000 · Dec 2018 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.
Safety · 17V040000 · Jan 2017 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.
Airbags · 16V911000 · Dec 2016 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 16V244000 · Apr 2016 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Safety · 16V029000 · Jan 2016 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Brakes · 15V733000 · Nov 2015 · model year 2015
If the bolts were not properly tightened, the caliper may detach and reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 15V681000 · Oct 2015 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Fuel system · 15V486000 · Aug 2015 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.
Safety · 15V116000 · Feb 2015 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Safety · 14V565000 · Sep 2014 · model year 2013
If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Electrical system · 14V138000 · Mar 2014 · model years 2013, 2014
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Tires · 13V158000 · Apr 2013 · model year 2013
Tires that are significantly over- or under-inflated may fail without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 13V069000 · Mar 2013 · model year 2013
If the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed, there may be an increased risk of personal injury.
Steering · 12V494000 · Oct 2012 · model years 2012, 2013
The affected bolts could become loose and fall out which may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Airbags · 12V055000 · Feb 2012 · model year 2012
THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Airbags · 11V408000 · Aug 2011 · model year 2012
THE AFFECTED ACU WILL NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED AND THIS ISSUE MAY CAUSE THE AIR BAGS NOT TO INFLATE IN A CRASH WHEN THEY ARE DESIGNED TO INFLATE. THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.
Suspension · 11V371000 · Jul 2011 · model years 2011, 2012
IF THE BOLT COMES OUT COMPLETELY, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Safety · 10V401000 · Sep 2010 · model year 2010
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Structure · 10V193000 · May 2010 · model year 2010
IF SEVERAL STRUCTURAL WELDS ARE OUT OF SPECIFICATION ON A SINGLE VEHICLE, IT MAY HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE VEHICLE CRASH PERFORMANCE.
Suspension · 09V358000 · Sep 2009 · model year 2010
IF THE STRUT INSULATOR IS CRACKED, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT ROD TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION, WHICH COULD AFFECT VEHICLE STABILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.