Nissan Altima 2019–2025 problems by year and mileage
6th generation (L34)
NHTSA data through 18 October 2026592 complaints, 147 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2019 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- 18,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 233
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2019
- Electrical system58 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise49 reports
- Engine48 reports
Recall areas Engine and engine cooling — engine · Back over prevention — sensing system · Tires — sidewall
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2020 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- 34,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 180
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2020
- Electrical system46 reports
- Engine36 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise35 reports
Recall areas Engine and engine cooling — engine · Back over prevention — sensing system · Tires — sidewall
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2021 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 70
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2021
- Forward collision avoidance22 reports
- Electrical system21 reports
- Brakes18 reports
Recall areas Back over prevention — sensing system · Steering — linkages
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2022 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 31
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2022
- Forward collision avoidance10 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise9 reports
- Electrical system7 reports
The 2023 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 30
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2023
- Electrical system11 reports
- Engine6 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise6 reports
The 2024 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 41
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2024
- Problems owners could not categorise8 reports
- Engine5 reports
- Forward collision avoidance5 reports
Recall areas Steering — rack and pinion
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2025 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 7
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2025
- Airbag system1 report
- Reversing camera and sensors1 report
- Electrical system1 report
Recall areas Air bags — critical fasteners · Latches/locks/linkages — doors
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2020; earliest: the 2019, and the 2019 is 1 year older (part of the gap is age). 5 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2019–2025 Nissan Altima reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 23,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 108,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 147
- Recalls
- 13
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Electrical system24.8% of complaints · median 21,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise20.3% of complaints · median 5,000 mi
- Forward collision avoidance18.8% of complaints · median 19,000 mi
Owners filed 592 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019–2025 Nissan Altima; the electrical system leads with 24.8% of them, and half of the 147 that record an odometer reading came by 23,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
37% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 0.9 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. On a generation this new that is expected: few examples have been driven further yet, so the timing says little about design or wear so far.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2019–2025 Nissan Altima last?
The newest model years (2024–2025) are too young to have reached high mileage; most reports with an odometer reading come from the earlier years of the generation.
On the 2019–2025 Nissan Altima, half of the 147 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 23,000 miles and 90% by 108,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
5 reports came in past 150,000 miles — each one proof that an Altima reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Nissan Altima 2019–2025 · 147 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
20,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 68 complaints
- First 12,000 miles — 37% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 10%
- 700
- 25%
- 5,000
- Median
- 23,000
- 75%
- 60,000
- 90%
- 108,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20,000 | 68 | 46.3% |
| 20,000–40,000 | 23 | 15.6% |
| 40,000–60,000 | 19 | 12.9% |
| 60,000–80,000 | 13 | 8.8% |
| 80,000–100,000 | 8 | 5.4% |
| 100,000–120,000 | 5 | 3.4% |
| 120,000–140,000 | 4 | 2.7% |
| 140,000–160,000 | 3 | 2.0% |
| 160,000–180,000 | 2 | 1.4% |
| 180,000–200,000 | 2 | 1.4% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Altima problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Nissan Altima 2019–2025
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Visibility/wiper29 reportsmedian 830middle half 300–7,000
- Problems owners could not categorise120 reportsmedian 5,000middle half 600–9,000
- Brakes76 reportsmedian 7,500middle half 2,500–16,000
- Forward collision avoidance111 reportsmedian 19,000middle half 8,500–38,000
- Electrical system147 reportsmedian 21,000middle half 9,000–66,000
- Steering36 reportsmedian 28,000middle half 5,500–66,000
- Engine108 reportsmedian 52,000middle half 12,000–68,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 147 | 24.8% | 21,000 | 9,000–66,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 120 | 20.3% | 5,000 | 600–9,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 111 | 18.8% | 19,000 | 8,500–38,000 |
| Engine | 108 | 18.2% | 52,000 | 12,000–68,000 |
| Brakes | 76 | 12.8% | 7,500 | 2,500–16,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 39 | 6.6% | — | — |
| Steering | 36 | 6.1% | 28,000 | 5,500–66,000 |
| Visibility/wiper | 29 | 4.9% | 830 | 300–7,000 |
| Airbag system | 28 | 4.7% | — | — |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 22 | 3.7% | — | — |
Known problems with the 2019–2025 Altima
Transmission (CVT) 2019–2022
Continued CVT judder and hesitation complaints, though at materially lower rates than the L33; the CVT remains the dominant complaint category for the generation.
Engine (2.0L VC-Turbo) 2019–2023
The variable-compression multi-link actuator mechanism adds failure surface not present on the 2.5L; the engine was withdrawn after MY2023.
Before you buy a 2019–2025 Altima: the 3-minute check
Generated from 147 mileage-tagged complaints, 13 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 13 campaigns cover this generation.
- Ask for problems owners could not categorise repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 5,000 miles — a newer example may not have reached that mileage yet, so ask what was repaired under warranty and what the warranty still covers.
- Ask for brakes repair records. Same question here: a median of 7,500 miles.
- Check transmission (CVT) on 2019–2022 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check engine (2.0L VC-Turbo) on 2019–2023 cars.
- Years differ here: from 7 to 233 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Altima problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi75% below | At 90k mi86% below | At 120k mi93% below | At 150k mi97% below | At 200k mi100% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 9,000–66,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 600–9,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Forward collision avoidance | 8,500–38,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 12,000–68,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 2,500–16,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 5,500–66,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Visibility/wiper | 300–7,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Nissan Altima 2019–2025 · 147 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 75% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 93% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2019–2025 Nissan Altima recalls (13)
NHTSA records 13 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the steering (2), the reversing camera and sensors (2), the tyres (2) (why one area can repeat).
Aug 2026 · 2025 · Air BagsAir bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima vehicles. The front passenger air bag and front passenger knee air bag may have been installed with incorrect mounting fasteners, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
What can happen. Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the air bag mounting fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 30, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan’s customer service at 1-800-867-7669.…
Jan 2026 · 2025 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesA door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving. As such, these vehicles fail to…
What can happen. A door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the door strikers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbers for this…
Jun 2025 · 2019–2020 · Engine and Engine CoolingEngine failure increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's…
Dec 2023 · 2024 · SteeringA loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Altima vehicles. The bolts connecting the electronic power steering unit to the steering rack may loosen, resulting in a loss of steering control or steering lock-up.
What can happen. A loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number…
Sep 2023 · 2019–2021 · Back Over PreventionA rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the…
What can happen. A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness.…
Mar 2021 · 2019–2020 · TiresOver cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan…
Mar 2021 · 2020–2021 · SteeringA detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.
What can happen. A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The began March 31, 2021. Owners may…
Nov 2020 · 2020 · TiresOver cured tires can result in a sidewall break causing a sudden loss of air or the tread separating from the…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima S grade vehicles equipped with Continental ProContact TX tires, size 215/60 R16 H, with TIN date code 3320 and Mold ID S-419149. The tires may have been over cured.
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's tires to see if they are affected, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may…
Sep 2020 · 2020 · VisibilityRear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.
What can happen. Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's…
Sep 2019 · 2019 · Back Over PreventionThe lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti…
What can happen. The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners…
Apr 2019 · 2019 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Altima vehicles equipped with front wheel drive (FWD) and 2.5 liter engines. The fuel pump lock ring may not be fully engaged, possibly causing fuel to leak. As such, these vehicles fail to comply…
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tank assembly. If the lock ring is disengaged, dealers will tighten the ring to specification. If the lock ring is detached, dealers will…
Mar 2019 · 2019 · Exterior LightingIf the brake switch remains in the ON position, the brake lights will remain illuminated when the brakes are…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Nissan Altima vehicles. The brake switch bracket may be in the incorrect location, which may cause the brake switch to remain on.
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a new brake pedal as needed, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at…
Dec 2018 · 2019 · Fuel System, GasolineIf the retainer clip is unlocked, the fuel tube may shift and cause a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Altima vehicles. The retainer clip connecting the low pressure fuel tube to the high pressure fuel pump may not have been locked into position.
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. Nissan has notified owners, and dealers will route the fuel hose into the holding clip and lock the retainer clip into place, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2019. Owners…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 592 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 64 (10.8%)
- Fires
- 16
- Injury reports
- 35
- Fatality reports
- 1
Altima problems by model year
The 2019 drew the most complaints of this generation, 233, most of them about the electrical system, and the 2023 the fewest among the 6 years with at least 20 complaints, 30. A typical year drew about 56.
That makes the 2019 stand out at roughly 4.2 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 233 | 76 | 18,000† | Electrical system (58) | 7 |
| 2020 | 180 | 47 | 34,000 | Electrical system (46) | 6 |
| 2021 | 70 | 12 | under 30 reports | Forward collision avoidance (22) | 2 |
| 2022 | 31 | 2 | under 30 reports | Forward collision avoidance (10) | 0 |
| 2023 | 30 | 3 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (11) | 0 |
| 2024 | 41 | 5 | under 30 reports | Problems owners could not categorise (8) | 1 |
| 2025 | 7 | 2 | under 30 reports | Airbag system (1) | 2 |
What Altima owners reported
The contact's wife owned a 2025 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving downhill at 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle continued accelerating downhill and the contact drove over granite lines on the side of the road to slow the vehicle but the…
2025 · 7,000 miles · Service brakes, air
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking lot, the contact shifted into drive(D) and then to reverse(R) to exit the parking lot, and while driving 3 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact attempted to forcefully…
2021 · 97,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with internal engine failure.…
2019 · 70,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Altima. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for a trade-in, and during the test drive, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that the cam actuator and the bearings were falling apart. The mechanic informed the contact about…
2019 · 80,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
Built from 147 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Altima generations
- Altima 1998–2001 242 reports with mileage, most about the engine and its cooling system
- Altima 2002–2006 3,301 reports with mileage, most about the engine and its cooling system
- Altima 2007–2012 3,145 reports with mileage, most about the steering
- Altima 2013–2018 3,510 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline