Which years should I avoid for the Nissan Altima and Honda HR-V?

For the Altima, avoid 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. For the HR-V, avoid 2019, 2023 and 2024. These are the years with the highest complaint index within each model's own history.

Which model has more reported complaints overall?

The Altima has 7,162 total complaints across 16 model years (448 per year on average), compared to the HR-V's 1,823 complaints across 10 model years (182 per year). NHTSA does not publish sales data, so these totals aren't adjusted for how many of each model were sold.

What is the top complaint area for each model?

The Altima's top problem area is the Electrical System, at 1,742 complaints (24% share). The HR-V's top problem area is Visibility & Wipers, at 413 complaints (23% share).

How do fuel economy numbers compare?

The Altima averages 28.6 mpg combined across its model years, while the HR-V averages 28.8 mpg combined. The two are close, with per-year figures ranging from 24.5 to 30.5 mpg for the Altima and 27.5 to 29.5 mpg for the HR-V.

Which years are considered the best for each model based on NHTSA data?

For the Altima, the best years are 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025, with 2022 at a complaint index of 0. For the HR-V, the best years are 2017, 2020 and 2021, with 2021 also at a complaint index of 0.

Nissan Altima vs Honda HR-V: Which Years to Avoid

Nissan Altima owners should be cautious about 2013-2016, with 2013 hitting a complaint index of 100 and 12 recalls. Honda HR-V years to avoid are 2019, 2023 and 2024, with 2023 also at a complaint index of 100. Altima logs 448 complaints per model year versus HR-V's 182, but totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

Nissan Altima

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 7,162
Per model year: 448
Recall campaigns: 33
Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Best years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 28.6
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

Honda HR-V

Model years: 2016–2025 (10)
NHTSA complaints: 1,823
Per model year: 182
Recall campaigns: 13
Years to avoid: 2019, 2023, 2024
Best years: 2017, 2020, 2021
Top problem area: Visibility & Wipers
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 28.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Altima				HR-V
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Caution	380	2	24.5	—	—	—	—
2011	Good	241	1	26	—	—	—	—
2012	Caution	426	4	24.5	—	—	—	—
2013	Avoid	2,312	12	26	—	—	—	—
2014	Avoid	1,114	8	28	—	—	—	—
2015	Avoid	953	10	28.5	—	—	—	—
2016	Avoid	553	4	30	Caution	239	2	29
2017	Caution	391	3	30	Best	122	0	29
2018	Good	225	2	30	Good	156	3	29
2019	Caution	232	7	30	Avoid	235	7	29.5
2020	Good	158	6	30	Best	83	5	29.5
2021	Best	70	2	30	Best	63	4	29.5
2022	Best	30	0	30.5	Caution	88	3	29.5
2023	Best	29	0	29.5	Avoid	686	3	27.5
2024	Good	41	1	29.5	Avoid	108	4	27.5
2025	Best	7	2	30	Good	43	1	27.5

Complaint Index by year

Nissan Altima

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Honda HR-V

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which years should I avoid for the Nissan Altima and Honda HR-V?: For the Altima, avoid 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. For the HR-V, avoid 2019, 2023 and 2024. These are the years with the highest complaint index within each model's own history.
Which model has more reported complaints overall?: The Altima has 7,162 total complaints across 16 model years (448 per year on average), compared to the HR-V's 1,823 complaints across 10 model years (182 per year). NHTSA does not publish sales data, so these totals aren't adjusted for how many of each model were sold.
What is the top complaint area for each model?: The Altima's top problem area is the Electrical System, at 1,742 complaints (24% share). The HR-V's top problem area is Visibility & Wipers, at 413 complaints (23% share).
How do fuel economy numbers compare?: The Altima averages 28.6 mpg combined across its model years, while the HR-V averages 28.8 mpg combined. The two are close, with per-year figures ranging from 24.5 to 30.5 mpg for the Altima and 27.5 to 29.5 mpg for the HR-V.
Which years are considered the best for each model based on NHTSA data?: For the Altima, the best years are 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025, with 2022 at a complaint index of 0. For the HR-V, the best years are 2017, 2020 and 2021, with 2021 also at a complaint index of 0.