Nissan Altima Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid 2013–2016 Nissan Altimas: 2013 leads with 2,312 complaints and a complaint index of 100, driven by electrical, airbag, and transmission problems plus 12 recalls. The 2021–2023 and 2025 model years score lowest for complaints and are rated Best.
Avoid 2013Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Avoid 2016Best 2021Best 2022Best 2023Best 2025
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 7,162
- Recall campaigns
- 33
- Crashes reported
- 347
- Fires reported
- 62
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Altima 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.
Nissan Altima problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Caution | 73 | 380 | 25 | 9 | 2 | Electrical System | 24.5 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 40 | 241 | 11 | 5 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 26 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 67 | 426 | 24 | 2 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 24.5 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 100 | 2,312 | 63 | 9 | 12 | Electrical System | 26 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 93 | 1,114 | 52 | 8 | 8 | Electrical System | 28 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 87 | 953 | 46 | 5 | 10 | Electrical System | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 80 | 553 | 28 | 3 | 4 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 60 | 391 | 24 | 7 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 33 | 225 | 11 | 0 | 2 | Brakes | 30 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 53 | 232 | 22 | 5 | 7 | Engine | 30 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Good | 47 | 158 | 15 | 5 | 6 | Electrical System | 30 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 20 | 70 | 7 | 1 | 2 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 30 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 0 | 30 | 5 | 1 | 0 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 30.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 7 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Good | 27 | 41 | 7 | 1 | 1 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Best | 13 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 30 | 5★ |
Altima years to avoid: what went wrong
2013 Nissan Altima Index 100 · 2,312 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2013 Altima logged 2,312 complaints, the highest of any year covered, with a complaint index of 100 and 12 recall campaigns. Electrical System issues made up 26% of complaints at a median 72,000 miles, while Airbags accounted for 22% at a much lower median of 14,000 miles. Owners reported hoods flying open at highway speed due to a hood latch defect, Takata airbags failing to deploy in crashes, and dim headlights. NHTSA recorded 63 crashes, 9 fires, and 1 death tied to this model year.
2013 electrical system problems →2013 airbags problems →2013 transmission & powertrain problems →
2014 Nissan Altima Index 93 · 1,114 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2014 Altima had 1,114 complaints and a complaint index of 93, with 8 recalls. Electrical System problems were the top category at 32% and 75,000 miles median, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 19% and 70,000 miles. Owners described Takata airbags deploying with metal fragments causing injuries, transmission grinding noises, and dim low-beam headlights. NHTSA lists 52 crashes and 1 death for this year.
2014 electrical system problems →2014 transmission & powertrain problems →2014 airbags problems →
2015 Nissan Altima Index 87 · 953 complaints · 10 recalls
The 2015 Altima recorded 953 complaints, a complaint index of 87, and 10 recalls. Electrical System issues led at 34% with a median 63,000 miles, and Airbags followed at 19% around 30,400 miles. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in animal-strike crashes, dim headlights linked to accidents, and rear door latch-lock cable problems tied to three separate recall campaigns. NHTSA tallies 46 crashes and 5 fires for this year.
2015 electrical system problems →2015 airbags problems →2015 transmission & powertrain problems →
2016 Nissan Altima Index 80 · 553 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2016 Altima had 553 complaints and a complaint index of 80, with 4 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominated at 42% with a median 64,700 miles, and Engine issues followed at 23% around 54,220 miles. Owners described brake failures on highways, hood latches releasing and causing crashes, and airbags not deploying during deer strikes. NHTSA records 28 crashes, 3 fires, and 1 death for this model year.
2016 transmission & powertrain problems →2016 engine problems →2016 electrical system problems →
Most common Nissan Altima problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System1,742 (24%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1,595 (22%)
- Airbags1,244 (17%)
- Engine979 (14%)
- Other927 (13%)
- Structure & Body696 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires686 (10%)
- Brakes417 (6%)
- Steering322 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers218 (3%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Nissan Altima should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 Altimas are the ones to avoid, with 2013 the worst at 2,312 complaints and a complaint index of 100.
- What is the best year for the Nissan Altima?
- The 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025 model years rank as Best, with complaint indexes of 20, 0, 7, and 13 respectively and very low complaint counts compared to other years.
- Does the 2013 Nissan Altima have a hood latch recall?
- Yes, recall campaign 20V315000 covers 2013-2018 Altima vehicles for a hood latch that can release unexpectedly, and NHTSA received owner reports of hoods flying open at highway speed.
- Are 2013-2016 Nissan Altima airbags a problem?
- Airbags were a top complaint category in 2013, 2014, and 2015, tied to recall campaigns 16V911000 and 16V244000 covering Takata-related ECU and OCS software issues.
- How many total complaints does the Nissan Altima have across all years?
- NHTSA lists 7,162 total complaints and 33 recall campaigns across the 2010-2025 Nissan Altima model years covered.