Nissan Altima 2019–2025
6th generation (L34)
NHTSA data through 13 August 2026901 complaints, 174 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 174
- Median of reported failures
- 14,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Electrical system (15.8%)
- Recalls
- 12
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, 44% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 1 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000.
Figure 1 · Nissan Altima 2019–2025 · 174 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 20,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 100 complaints.
- First 12,000 miles — 44% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 10%
- 700
- 25%
- 3,000
- Median
- 14,500
- 75%
- 43,000
- 90%
- 80,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20,000 | 100 | 57.5% |
| 20,000–40,000 | 26 | 14.9% |
| 40,000–60,000 | 15 | 8.6% |
| 60,000–80,000 | 15 | 8.6% |
| 80,000–100,000 | 3 | 1.7% |
| 100,000–120,000 | 4 | 2.3% |
| 120,000–140,000 | 4 | 2.3% |
| 140,000–160,000 | 4 | 2.3% |
| 160,000–180,000 | 2 | 1.1% |
| 180,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.6% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 901 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019–2025 Nissan Altima, and 174 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
44% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 1 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
The most-reported areas are the electrical system (15.8% of complaints, typically around 21,000 miles), forward collision avoidance (15.0% of complaints, typically around 16,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (13.1% of complaints, typically around 5,000 miles).
12 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2019–2025 Nissan Altima last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2019–2025 Nissan Altima were filed by 14,000 miles and 90% by 80,000 miles — figures drawn from 174 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
Before you buy a 2019–2025 Altima: the 3-minute check
Generated from 174 mileage-tagged complaints, 12 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 12 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Ask for problems owners could not categorise repair records. This area fails at a median of 5,000 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Ask for brakes repair records. This area fails at a median of 7,500 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Check transmission (CVT) on 2019–2022 cars. Continued CVT judder and hesitation complaints, though at materially lower rates than the L33; the CVT remains the dominant complaint category for the generation.
- Check engine (2.0l vc-turbo) on 2019–2023 cars. The variable-compression multi-link actuator mechanism adds failure surface not present on the 2.5L; the engine was withdrawn after MY2023.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 44% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, the electrical system and forward collision avoidance are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Forward collision avoidance in particular shows a median failure mileage of 16,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Nissan Altima 2019–2025
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Visibility/wiper29 reports830300–7,000Visibility/wiper: 29 reports, median 830 miles, middle half 300 to 7,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise118 reports5,000600–9,000Problems owners could not categorise: 118 reports, median 5,000 miles, middle half 600 to 9,000 miles.
- Brakes76 reports7,5002,500–16,000Brakes: 76 reports, median 7,500 miles, middle half 2,500 to 16,000 miles.
- Forward collision avoidance135 reports16,0008,000–38,000Forward collision avoidance: 135 reports, median 16,000 miles, middle half 8,000 to 38,000 miles.
- Electrical system142 reports21,0006,000–66,000Electrical system: 142 reports, median 21,000 miles, middle half 6,000 to 66,000 miles.
- Engine104 reports43,00011,000–62,000Engine: 104 reports, median 43,000 miles, middle half 11,000 to 62,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 142 | 15.8% | 21,000 | 6,000–66,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 135 | 15.0% | 16,000 | 8,000–38,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 118 | 13.1% | 5,000 | 600–9,000 |
| Engine | 104 | 11.5% | 43,000 | 11,000–62,000 |
| Brakes | 76 | 8.4% | 7,500 | 2,500–16,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 39 | 4.3% | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 29 | 3.2% | 830 | 300–7,000 |
| Steering | 29 | 3.2% | — | — |
| Airbag system | 26 | 2.9% | — | — |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 22 | 2.4% | — | — |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Nissan Altima 2019–2025 · 174 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 81% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 94% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
81% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Forward collision avoidance — median 16,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 5,000 mi
- Brakes — median 7,500 mi
- Visibility/wiper — median 830 mi
In the reporting window
- Electrical system — middle half 6,000–66,000 mi
- Engine — middle half 11,000–62,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
91% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Electrical system — median 21,000 mi
- Forward collision avoidance — median 16,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 5,000 mi
- Engine — median 43,000 mi
- Brakes — median 7,500 mi
- Visibility/wiper — median 830 mi
At 120,000 miles
94% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Electrical system — median 21,000 mi
- Forward collision avoidance — median 16,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 5,000 mi
- Engine — median 43,000 mi
- Brakes — median 7,500 mi
- Visibility/wiper — median 830 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 14,500 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 15.8% of complaints (142 reports, 23 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 21,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 6,000 and 66,000 miles.
Forward collision avoidance accounts for 15.0% of complaints (135 reports, 15 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 16,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 8,000 and 38,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 13.1% of complaints (118 reports, 13 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 5,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 600 and 9,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 11.5% of complaints (104 reports, 15 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 43,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 11,000 and 62,000 miles.
The brakes account for 8.4% of complaints (76 reports, 26 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail early — a median of 7,500 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 2,500 and 16,000 miles.
Visibility/wiper accounts for 3.2% of complaints (29 reports, 10 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 830 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 300 and 7,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2019 model year drew the most — 354 complaints — while 2023 drew the fewest at 39. The median year sits at 91.
That makes 2019 an outlier: roughly 3.9 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 12 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the steering (2), the reversing camera and sensors (2), the tyres (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 901 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 119 (13.2%)
- Fires
- 24
- Injury reports
- 57
- Fatality reports
- 1
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
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.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 354 | 103 |
| 2020 | 261 | 44 |
| 2021 | 120 | 14 |
| 2022 | 55 | 2 |
| 2023 | 39 | 5 |
| 2024 | 62 | 5 |
| 2025 | 10 | 1 |
Recalls (12) — is your car included?
Mar 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 comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
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 recall are PD185 and PMA61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 28, 2026.
Jan 2026 · 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 bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.
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 customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R25A8/A9 and R25B1/B2.
Feb 2024 · 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 for this recall is PC997.
Oct 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 requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
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. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C3.
May 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, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC798.
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 contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PC795.
Dec 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 contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-8677669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC765.
Nov 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 number for this recall is PC752.
Nov 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 Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, thes
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 may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
May 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 with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
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 replace the fuel pump. Both remedies will be completed free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
May 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 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.
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 1-800-867-7669.
Feb 2019 · 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 crash.
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 may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
What owners reported
I became aware of the automatic windshield washer problem when i tried to clear off dust and grime from our new 2019 Nissan Altima while driving on the highway. When i activated the washers to clean the windshield, the washer fluid barely splashed onto the bottom of the windshield. I had to repeatedly activate the…
2019 · 225 miles · Visibility/wiper
I just received a notice by going to consumer reports that vehicle was recalled? Never received anything. Also, car is newly leased and has an oil change sticker that says: change oil by 5/29/19 ? What , this dealer here has also been reported for consumer protection act here in melbourne fl. Nissan of melbourne. I am…
2019 · 280 miles · Engine
While driving or stationary of the vehicle. When spraying water on the windshield from the windshield washer sprayers, it only sprays on the bottom of the windshield and does not cover the entire windshield. You have to continuously spray water so the wipers can spread the water on the windshield. But doing this does…
2019 · 300 miles · Visibility/wiper
Adaptive cruise control and automatic braking are disabled due to "front radar blocked". This is a brand new vehicle i have had for about two weeks (less than 1,000 miles). After doing some internet research, this appears to be a known issue with Nissan vehicles since 2018. I believe my vehicle was manufactured in…
2019 · 700 miles · Brakes
Built from 174 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page