What years of the Nissan Altima Hybrid should I avoid?

NHTSA complaint data points to 2008 and 2009 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 75 and 100. The 2009 model year has the highest complaint volume at 54 complaints.

What is the best year for the Nissan Altima Hybrid?

The 2010 Altima Hybrid is rated Good with the lowest complaint index among rated years at 25 and only 12 total complaints. No year is rated Best.

What problems does the 2009 Altima Hybrid have?

Owners most often reported steering issues, 48 percent of that year's complaints, followed by electrical system problems at 39 percent. Median mileage at failure for steering complaints was 69,000.

Is the 2008 Altima Hybrid affected by a recall?

Yes. Recall campaign 08V521000 covers an electrical system issue shared across several 2007-2008 Nissan and Infiniti models, including the Altima Hybrid.

Is the 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid reliable?

The 2007 model is rated Caution with a complaint index of 50, the third-worst of the five years, with airbags as the top reported problem area.

Nissan Altima Hybrid Best and Worst Years (2007–2011)

Avoid the 2008 and 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid, which carry complaint indexes of 75 and 100 with steering, electrical, and engine problems reported. The 2010 model is the Good year with a complaint index of 25, and 2007 rates Caution.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2008 Avoid 2009

Model years: 5; 2007–2011
NHTSA complaints: 113
Recall campaigns: 1
Crashes reported: 9
Fires reported: 3
Top problem area: Electrical System

Altima Hybrid Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

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

Nissan Altima Hybrid problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2007	Caution	50	27	2	0	1	Airbags	34	—
2008	Avoid	75	16	4	1	1	Engine	34	—
2009	Avoid	100	54	2	0	0	Steering	34	—
2010	Good	25	12	0	2	0	Engine	34	—
2011	No verdict	0	4	1	0	0	Electrical System	33	—

Altima Hybrid years to avoid: what went wrong

2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid Index 100 · 54 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2009 Altima Hybrid has the highest complaint index of any year at 100 and ranks worst overall. Steering complaints dominate, accounting for 48 percent of reports at a median mileage of 66,500, alongside electrical system issues at 39 percent and a median mileage of 67,500. Owners described sudden unintended acceleration while parking and transmission behavior that left the car unable to shift into drive. No recall campaigns were issued for this model year despite the high complaint volume, and two crashes were reported.

2009 steering problems →2009 electrical system problems →

2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid Index 75 · 16 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2008 Altima Hybrid has a complaint index of 75 and ranks second-worst of the five years covered. Owners most often reported engine problems, making up 44 percent of complaints for the year, at a median mileage of 52,500. Brake complaints followed, with a much lower median mileage of 13,500, including reports of brake pedals traveling to the floor with reduced stopping power. Electrical system issues were also common. NHTSA recall campaign 08V521000 covers electrical system components shared with other Nissan and Infiniti models from this era. Crash reports and one fire were recorded for this model year.

Most common Nissan Altima Hybrid problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Electrical System38 (34%)
Engine30 (27%)
Steering28 (25%)
Airbags14 (12%)
Brakes13 (12%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (9%)
Other8 (7%)
Structure & Body7 (6%)
Transmission & Powertrain6 (5%)
Fuel System4 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Nissan Altima Hybrid should I avoid?: NHTSA complaint data points to 2008 and 2009 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 75 and 100. The 2009 model year has the highest complaint volume at 54 complaints.
What is the best year for the Nissan Altima Hybrid?: The 2010 Altima Hybrid is rated Good with the lowest complaint index among rated years at 25 and only 12 total complaints. No year is rated Best.
What problems does the 2009 Altima Hybrid have?: Owners most often reported steering issues, 48 percent of that year's complaints, followed by electrical system problems at 39 percent. Median mileage at failure for steering complaints was 69,000.
Is the 2008 Altima Hybrid affected by a recall?: Yes. Recall campaign 08V521000 covers an electrical system issue shared across several 2007-2008 Nissan and Infiniti models, including the Altima Hybrid.
Is the 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid reliable?: The 2007 model is rated Caution with a complaint index of 50, the third-worst of the five years, with airbags as the top reported problem area.