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Nissan Altima — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Nissan Altima model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
33
Years to Avoid
2015, 2014, 2013, 2009
Best Years
2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1994, 1993
2025Best Year
6 complaints1 recalls2 TSBs
2024Best Year
50 complaints1 recalls15 TSBs
2023Best Year
33 complaints0 recalls57 TSBs
2022Best Year
50 complaints0 recalls1 invest.82 TSBs
2021
92 complaints2 recalls2 invest.106 TSBs
2020
263 complaints6 recalls2 invest.145 TSBs
2019
323 complaints7 recalls2 invest.185 TSBs
2018
314 complaints2 recalls4 invest.189 TSBs
2017
497 complaints3 recalls3 invest.245 TSBs
2016
773 complaints4 recalls3 invest.321 TSBs
2015Avoid
1,182 complaints10 recalls3 invest.330 TSBs
2014Avoid
1,377 complaints8 recalls5 invest.315 TSBs
2013Avoid
2,969 complaints12 recalls5 invest.368 TSBs
2012
575 complaints4 recalls1 invest.119 TSBs
2011
316 complaints1 recalls129 TSBs
2010
539 complaints3 recalls134 TSBs
2009Avoid
2,150 complaints4 recalls115 TSBs
2008
1,375 complaints4 recalls1 invest.115 TSBs
2007
595 complaints3 recalls2 invest.113 TSBs
2006
1,043 complaints4 recalls77 TSBs
2005
1,360 complaints2 recalls106 TSBs
2004
334 complaints5 recalls89 TSBs
2003
1,099 complaints10 recalls1 invest.99 TSBs
2002
1,321 complaints12 recalls1 invest.140 TSBs
2001
202 complaints2 recalls51 TSBs
2000
199 complaints2 recalls57 TSBs
1999Best Year
110 complaints4 recalls42 TSBs
1998
141 complaints4 recalls63 TSBs
1997Best Year
141 complaints3 recalls53 TSBs
1996Best Year
117 complaints2 recalls45 TSBs
1995
216 complaints5 recalls2 invest.52 TSBs
1994Best Year
120 complaints4 recalls2 invest.39 TSBs
1993Best Year
150 complaints3 recalls1 invest.42 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Nissan Altima Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2015, 2014, 2013, 2009 Nissan Altima are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Nissan Altima, consider the 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1994, 1993 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

33 model years analyzed