VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Nissan Altima2002–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Nissan Altima
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Nissan Altima Years to Avoid
7 recalls · 1506 complaints
27 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
4 recalls · 1118 complaints
23 reported injuries
Top issue: STEERING
5 recalls · 735 complaints
31 reported injuries
Top issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 6 past investigations into the Altima became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Nissan Altima — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 2 | — | — | 63 | 34 | 53 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 1 | 7 | 11 | — | 63 | 49 | 58 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 1 | 31 | 7 | — | 63 | 62 | 63 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 0 | 16 | — | — | 63 | 72 | 66 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 0 | 31 | 5 | — | 63 | 79 | 69 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 2 | 60 | 5 | — | 63 | 82 | 70 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 4 | 141 | 8 | — | 53 | 81 | 63 | Good |
| 2019 | 2 | 187 | 9 | — | 48 | 77 | 58 | Good |
| 2018 | 1 | 165 | 1 | — | 53 | 71 | 59 | Good |
| 2017 | 3 | 251 | 18 | — | 38 | 64 | 47 | Good |
| 2016 | 4 | 412 | 27 | 1 | 38 | 57 | 45 | Good |
| 2015 | 7 | 620 | 23 | — | 38 | 50 | 42 | Caution |
| 2014 | 5 | 735 | 31 | — | 38 | 44 | 40 | Caution |
| 2013 | 7 | 1506 | 27 | — | 38 | 39 | 38 | Avoid |
| 2012 | 2 | 294 | 22 | — | 38 | 35 | 37 | Good |
| 2011 | 1 | 158 | 7 | — | 52 | 32 | 45 | Good |
| 2010 | 3 | 269 | 22 | — | 38 | 32 | 36 | Good |
| 2009 | 4 | 1118 | 23 | 1 | 38 | 32 | 36 | Avoid |
| 2008 | 1 | 697 | 21 | 2 | 38 | 32 | 36 | Caution |
| 2007 | 1 | 277 | 10 | 2 | 38 | 32 | 36 | Good |
| 2006 | 3 | 570 | 44 | — | 38 | 32 | 36 | Caution |
| 2005 | 1 | 695 | 55 | — | 38 | 32 | 36 | Caution |
| 2004 | 2 | 176 | 11 | — | 49 | 32 | 43 | Good |
| 2003 | 5 | 564 | 17 | — | 38 | 32 | 36 | Caution |
| 2002 | 7 | 715 | 34 | — | 38 | 32 | 36 | Caution |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Nissan Altima Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Altima compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 70).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 47).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Altima to buy?+
The 2021 Nissan Altima scores highest on our Buyer Score (70/100) — combining a reliability score of 63/100 with a value score of 82/100. It has 2 recalls and 60 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Altima years have the most problems?+
The 2013, 2009, 2014 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2013 Altima leads with 7 recalls and 1506 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Altima problems?+
The most frequently reported Nissan Altima issues involve: POWER TRAIN, AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.