Nissan Altima Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Nissan Altima model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (70) and the 2013 the most (2,312).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
1 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 28–30 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
7 | 2 | Air bags | 5★ | 28–31 |
| 2023 | 29 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 29–31 |
| 2022 | 30 | 0 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 29–32 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
41 | 1 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 29–31 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
70 | 2 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 29–32 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
179 | 6 | Electrical system | 5★ | 29–32 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
226 | 2 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 26–31 |
| 2019 | 232 | 7 | Electrical system | 5★ | 29–32 |
| 2011 | 241 | 1 | Power train | 4★ | 21–26 |
| 2010 | 381 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 21–27 |
| 2017 | 391 | 3 | Power train | 5★ | 26–31 |
| 2012 | 426 | 4 | Power train | 4★ | 21–26 |
| 2007 | 471 | 3 | Suspension | — | 22–26 |
| 2016 | 553 | 4 | Power train | 5★ | 26–31 |
| 2015 | 954 | 10 | Exterior lighting | 5★ | 26–31 |
| 2008 | 1,029 | 4 | Structure | — | 22–26 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
1,114 | 8 | Exterior lighting | 5★ | 25–31 |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
1,547 | 4 | Steering | — | 21–26 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
2,312 | 12 | Air bags | 5★ | 25–31 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Nissan Altima years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2013 Nissan Altima: 2,312 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 514 (22%); Power train 505 (22%); Exterior lighting 442 (19%).
Reports mention 63 crashes, 9 fires, 48 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 65,000 miles. 12 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Nissan Altima: 1,547 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 859 (56%); Electrical system 466 (30%); Engine 107 (7%).
Reports mention 36 crashes, 8 fires, 21 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 79,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Nissan Altima: 1,114 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 299 (27%); Power train 209 (19%); Air bags 208 (19%).
Reports mention 52 crashes, 8 fires, 60 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 64,300 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
The Nissan Altima years with the fewest complaints
2021 Nissan Altima: 70 complaints
Most-reported: Forward collision avoidance 22 (31%); Electrical system 21 (30%); Service brakes 21 (30%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 44,794 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Nissan Altima: 179 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 45 (25%); Engine 36 (20%); Forward collision avoidance 29 (16%).
Reports mention 16 crashes, 7 fires, 15 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 14,500 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Nissan Altima: 226 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 49 (22%); Electrical system 37 (16%); Air bags 36 (16%).
Reports mention 11 crashes, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 36,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Nissan Altima owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 41 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 30 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 70 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 44,794 |
| 2020 | 179 | 16 | 7 | 15 | 1 | 14,500 |
| 2019 | 232 | 22 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2018 | 226 | 11 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 36,000 |
| 2017 | 391 | 24 | 7 | 23 | 0 | 55,000 |
| 2016 | 553 | 28 | 3 | 32 | 1 | 58,000 |
| 2015 | 954 | 46 | 5 | 27 | 0 | 57,000 |
| 2014 | 1,114 | 52 | 8 | 60 | 1 | 64,300 |
| 2013 | 2,312 | 63 | 9 | 48 | 1 | 65,000 |
| 2012 | 426 | 24 | 2 | 26 | 0 | 75,000 |
| 2011 | 241 | 11 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 72,000 |
| 2010 | 381 | 25 | 9 | 37 | 0 | 53,128 |
| 2009 | 1,547 | 36 | 8 | 21 | 2 | 79,000 |
| 2008 | 1,029 | 53 | 13 | 33 | 2 | 70,000 |
| 2007 | 471 | 28 | 22 | 16 | 2 | 62,030 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Nissan Altima recalls
- Passenger Air Bag may not Deploy due to OCS Error (2013–2016 model years; 3,296,947 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2016; 16V244000)
- Unintentional Release of Primary Hood Latch (2013–2018 model years; 1,831,818 vehicles across all models; filed May 2020; 20V315000)
- No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111 (2018–2019 model years; 1,228,830 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2019; 19V654000)
- Air Bag may not Detect Passenger in Seat (2013–2014 model years; 989,701 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2014; 14V138000)
- Secondary Hood Latch may Bind and not Latch (2013–2015 model years; 846,000 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2016; 16V029000)
All 54 Nissan Altima recall campaigns · Nissan Altima problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Nissan Altima years FAQ
Which Nissan Altima year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (70). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Nissan Altima years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2013, 2009 and 2014 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Nissan Altima problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (1,833 of 10,234 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Nissan Altima have?
NHTSA lists 54 recall campaigns covering the Nissan Altima. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Nissan Altima recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.