Are Nissan Altima Good Cars? | Reliability And Costs

Yes, a well-maintained Nissan Altima is a solid daily sedan with good safety scores, decent fuel economy, and manageable ownership costs.

When you shop for a midsize sedan, the big question is whether a Nissan Altima will treat you well for years or leave you stuck with repair bills. The name has been around for decades, which means there is plenty of real-world history to draw from before you sign anything.

Quick Verdict On The Nissan Altima

For many drivers, the Altima lands in a sweet spot between budget and comfort. RepairPal gives the car a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability score, with average annual repair costs around $483, which places it near the front of the midsize sedan pack for repair cost and frequency.¹

There are caveats. Older Altimas with CVT gearboxes, especially some 2013–2016 cars, drew complaints about shuddering or early failure, and NHTSA has also flagged rear suspension control arm corrosion in 2013–2018 models used in heavy road-salt areas, so shoppers for those years should ask about repairs and rust checks.³

Are Nissan Altima Good Cars? Real-World Verdict

Taking the full picture, the Altima is a dependable, safe, and efficient sedan when you pick the right year, engine, and history. It favors drivers who put comfort, safety tech, and low fuel use ahead of sharp handling or an upscale cabin.

The current Altima generation, launched for 2019, cleaned up many older weak spots. The body structure feels tighter, cabin noise drops at highway speeds, and driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning became widely available.

Are Nissan Altima Still Good Cars For Daily Use?

Fuel economy is a strong card. Recent 2.5-liter front-drive Altimas sit around the low 30s in combined EPA ratings, and Edmunds data for 2024 shows most trims between 30 and 32 mpg combined with up to 39 mpg on the highway, which keeps monthly fuel spend in check for high-mileage drivers.⁴

Nissan Altima Reliability And Common Issues

According to the RepairPal reliability score for the Nissan Altima, the car earns 4.0 out of 5.0, with lower-than-average repair costs and a low rate of severe repairs.¹ That puts it ahead of many competitors, though it does not sit at the top tier of the class.

Model Years That Tend To Do Well

Patterns from owner reports, recall data, and reliability surveys point to certain Altima years as safer bets, especially if you want fewer surprises from age-related faults.

Model Years	General Strengths	Points To Check
2007–2012	Simple drivetrains, fair fuel use, plenty of supply at low prices.	Rust in northern states, wear on suspension parts, aging electronics.
2013–2015	More interior space and comfort than earlier years.	Reports of CVT judder, NHTSA attention on rear control arm corrosion in salty regions.
2016–2018	Incremental updates, improved sound insulation, more safety tech.	Control arm corrosion for some cars, routine CVT fluid care still needed.
2019–2020	New platform, sharper styling, standard advanced safety aids.	Limited recall for certain 2.0-liter turbo engines over bearing-related failures.
2021–2022	Refined driver-assist tech, stable powertrain lineup.	Usual used-car checks for accident damage, service history, and tires.
2023–2025	Fresh styling tweaks, updated infotainment, strong safety package.	Higher purchase prices; watch for prior rental or fleet use.
New Models	Full warranty backing, latest infotainment and driver aids.	Higher depreciation in the first three years.

Problems Owners Report Most

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Many Altima trims use a CVT instead of a stepped automatic. The design helps with fuel economy but can bring shuddering or slow response if the fluid is old or parts wear early, so cars that missed regular fluid changes show more complaints and a careful test drive matters.

Suspension And Steering Wear

Like most midsize sedans, the Altima uses struts, control arms, and rubber bushings that wear with age. NHTSA investigations also surfaced rear lower control arm corrosion in 2013–2018 cars driven in heavy-salt regions, which can lead to cracks or, in rare cases, separation.³

Safety Ratings And Crash Protection

Safety scores for recent Altima models are a strong selling point. The 2019 redesign brought a stiffer body, more airbags, and a long list of active safety features that match or beat many rivals.

Crash Test Scores

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Altima well in many crash categories. Tests of 2019–2025 cars show top marks in several frontal and side crash scenarios, with only a few mixed results for newer rear passenger tests as standards toughened.²

On the government side, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration uses a 5-star scale for front, side, and rollover performance. Recent Altima models have earned five stars overall in many trims. Shoppers can look up detailed scores through the official NHTSA safety ratings portal.

Driver-Assist Features

Modern Altima trims come with many driver aids. Depending on year and trim, you may see automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Nissan ProPILOT Assist, which add backup when traffic turns hectic or fatigue creeps in.

Fuel Economy And Driving Character

Fuel economy sits near the top of Altima strengths, especially with the 2.5-liter non-turbo engine. EPA estimates and third-party tests show most trims between 27 and 32 mpg combined, with highway figures in the mid to high 30s for front-drive cars.⁴

Most buyers will meet the 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which delivers around 188 horsepower and enough pull for merging and passing. A smaller group of cars uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged variable-compression engine that trades some long-term simplicity for stronger power and lively torque.

Steering feel lands on the light side and the suspension tuning leans toward comfort. The Altima tracks well on highways and handles rough pavement with calm composure, though drivers chasing sport sedan handling may lean toward rivals from Mazda or Honda instead.

Engine	Typical Combined MPG	Best Fit For
2.5L Four-Cylinder FWD	30–32 mpg combined in recent years.	Daily commuters, students, rideshare drivers.
2.5L Four-Cylinder AWD	28–30 mpg combined in many trims.	Drivers in wet or snowy climates who want extra traction.
2.0L Turbo VC-Turbo	Around 29 mpg combined in many tests.	Highway drivers who value stronger passing power.

Ownership Costs And Depreciation

RepairPal estimates average yearly repair and maintenance costs for the Altima around $483, less than many midsize rivals and lower than the brand average for some other Nissan models.¹ The probability of a repair classed as severe stays low as well, which means large surprise bills are less common when the car receives regular care.

Good fuel economy helps offset insurance and registration bills. With real-world combined mileage near or above 30 mpg in recent cars, fuel costs stay contained compared with larger crossovers and trucks.

Value Retention

Depreciation for the Altima sits in the middle of the pack for mainstream midsize sedans. It usually trails a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord for resale strength but does better than some rental-heavy models, so a three- to five-year-old Altima often gives you a good mix of price and remaining life.

Cost Area	What To Expect	Notes
Fuel	Strong mileage, especially with the 2.5L FWD engine.	Check EPA stickers or EPA fuel economy estimates for recent Altima models to compare trims.
Maintenance	Average yearly cost under $500 in many surveys.	Keep records for oil, filters, fluids, and CVT service.
Repairs	Low rate of severe failures when maintenance is current.	Pay extra attention to CVT behavior and suspension on older cars.
Insurance	Competitive rates for a midsize sedan.	Rates vary with driver profile, location, and trim.
Depreciation	Moderate resale values across most years.	One-owner cars with clean histories retain value better.

Who The Nissan Altima Suits Best

The Altima suits drivers who want a calm, easygoing sedan with good safety scores and low fuel use. It works well for commuters, sales workers who live in their car during the week, young families that need rear-seat space, and older drivers who want clear controls and good outward visibility.

With all-wheel drive on many trims, the Altima also helps drivers in snowbelt states who do not want a taller SUV. People who expect a sharp sport sedan feel or a plush cabin may feel happier in another model such as a used Mazda6, Honda Accord, or Toyota Camry.

Shopping Tips If You Want A Nissan Altima

Match The Year And Engine To Your Risk Tolerance

If you want fewer unknowns, target 2019 or newer cars with the 2.5-liter engine and front-wheel drive. These carry the latest safety tech, strong crash scores, and fresher interiors. For 2019–2020 cars with the 2.0-liter turbo engine, confirm that recall work on engine bearings is complete and ask for documentation.⁵

In the used market, 2013–2018 cars can still work if a pre-purchase inspection checks rear suspension arms, CVT behavior, and rust in salty states. Often, spending a bit more for a later model with strong records saves money over the long term.

Use Test Drives And Inspections Wisely

Start the car cold, listen for rattles, and watch the dash as the engine warms up. On the road, take a route that includes slow traffic, a steep hill, and a highway stretch so you can feel how the CVT and engine respond in different conditions.

Final Take On The Nissan Altima

When you weigh owner data, third-party reliability scores, crash tests, and running costs, the Nissan Altima comes out as a smart, dependable midsize sedan for many households. It blends strong safety ratings, solid fuel economy, and reasonable maintenance costs with enough comfort for long trips.

The car is not perfect, and certain years and engines deserve close inspection. For buyers who do their homework, though, a well-chosen Altima can deliver many years of calm, efficient service without draining the budget.