Nissan Altima Years to Avoid — the 2002–2003, 2005–2006, 2008–2009 and 2013.
The 2013 Altima drew 2,315 NHTSA complaints, the most of any year, spread across the passenger-airbag sensor, the CVT, headlights and the hood latch. Earlier Altimas each have one fault of their own: catalytic converters on the 2002, rusted floors on the 2005, a melting dashboard on the 2008 and a steering lock on the 2009.
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Quick Answer
- What Nissan Altima years should you avoid?
- The 2002–2003, 2005–2006, 2008–2009 and 2013. The 2002 drew 296 complaints about the catalytic converter, the 2005 272 about rusted floors, the 2008 504 about the dashboard, the 2009 743 about the steering lock, and the 2013 2,315 in all.
- What is the best year for a used Altima?
- Among the 2007–2021 Altimas, leaving out years where one fault is a quarter or more of complaints, 2021 (72), 2020 (183), 2018 (226) drew the fewest.
- Which Altima years have CVT problems?
- Complaints about the CVT peak on the 2013 (434) and stay high through the 2017: 1,202 across the 2012–2017. They fall to 6 on the 2019. NHTSA lists no recall for the CVT.
Five checks for a used Altima, by year
Each Altima generation has a different weak spot, so read the year before anything else.
- 1Read the year from the VINCharacter 10 is the model year; every Altima VIN our visitors checked starts 1N4, the US code.
- 22002–2006: underneathLook at the floor pans from below for rust holes; ask about catalytic-converter or engine work on a 2002–2003.
- 32009: the steering lockStart and stop the car several times; a car that will not start with the steering locked is the 2009 fault.
- 42012–2017: the CVTAccelerate gently from a stop; a shudder, whine or hesitation, or no fluid-change records, are warning signs.
- 5Check title and mileage recordsA salvage brand or a mileage gap shows up by VIN; a worn CVT does not.
Avoid: the 2013 Altima
The 2013 drew 2,315 complaints, more than any other Altima year. 423 describe the passenger-airbag occupant sensor, 434 the CVT, 415 the headlights and 143 the hood.
Recalls 16V244000 and related campaigns cover an occupant classification system that may misread an adult passenger and switch the airbag off; 16V029000 and 20V315000 cover a secondary hood latch that may bind or corrode, on 2013–2018 Altimas in all.
The 2014 and 2015 repeat the pattern on a smaller scale, 1,113 and 956 complaints, with the headlights the largest single cluster on both.
The 2013 by the numbers
- 2,315 complaints, the most of any year.
- 423 about the passenger-airbag sensor.
- 434 about the CVT.
- 415 about the headlights.
Avoid: the 2002–2009 Altimas with a known fault
The 2002 drew 1,063 complaints, 296 about the catalytic converter, many with engine damage; the 2002–2003 drew 411 about stalling. Three recalls, 03V455000, 06V242000 and 07V527000, cover crank or cam sensors on 2002–2006 Altimas, and 06V223000 covers piston rings that can burn oil on the 2006.
On the 2005–2006, structure is the component owners name most: 455 complaints describe floor pans rusting through. On the 2008, 504 of 1,031 complaints describe a dashboard that melts, turns sticky or throws glare onto the windshield.
The 2009 drew 1,547 complaints, 743 about the electronic steering lock, which can leave the car unable to start. NHTSA lists no recall for the floors, the dashboard or the steering lock.
2002–2009 by the numbers
- 296 2002 complaints about the catalytic converter.
- 455 2005–2006 complaints about rusted floors.
- 504 2008 complaints about the dashboard.
- 743 2009 complaints about the steering lock.
Every Nissan Altima Model Year Compared
NHTSA complaints and recall campaigns for every Altima from 1993 to 2026, read on 15 November 2026.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crash · fire reports | Recalls | Most-cited component |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 1993–1997 | 146 | 24 · 3 | 3 | Vehicle Speed Control |
| 1994 | 1993–1997 | 120 | 36 · 2 | 4 | Air Bags |
| 1995 | 1993–1997 | 193 | 37 · 8 | 5 | Air Bags |
| 1996 | 1993–1997 | 109 | 23 · 5 | 2 | Air Bags |
| 1997 | 1993–1997 | 117 | 32 · 6 | 3 | Air Bags |
| 1998 | 1998–2001 | 128 | 17 · 2 | 4 | Fuel System |
| 1999 | 1998–2001 | 100 | 24 · 3 | 4 | Service Brakes |
| 2000 | 1998–2001 | 181 | 27 · 5 | 2 | Engine And Engine Cooling |
| 2001 | 1998–2001 | 174 | 23 · 2 | 2 | Engine And Engine Cooling |
| 2002 | 2002–2006 | 1,063 | 30 · 28 | 12 | Engine And Engine Cooling |
| 2003 | 2002–2006 | 883 | 41 · 13 | 10 | Engine And Engine Cooling |
| 2004 | 2002–2006 | 276 | 14 · 3 | 5 | Engine And Engine Cooling |
| 2005 | 2002–2006 | 1,091 | 48 · 18 | 2 | Structure |
| 2006 | 2002–2006 | 824 | 43 · 14 | 4 | Structure |
| 2007 | 2007–2012 | 498 | 30 · 22 | 3 | Suspension |
| 2008 | 2007–2012 | 1,031 | 54 · 13 | 4 | Structure |
| 2009 | 2007–2012 | 1,547 | 36 · 8 | 4 | Steering |
| 2010 | 2007–2012 | 382 | 25 · 9 | 3 | Electrical System |
| 2011 | 2007–2012 | 242 | 11 · 5 | 1 | Power Train |
| 2012 | 2007–2012 | 426 | 24 · 2 | 4 | Power Train |
| 2013 | 2013–2018 | 2,315 | 63 · 9 | 12 | Air Bags |
| 2014 | 2013–2018 | 1,113 | 51 · 8 | 8 | Exterior Lighting |
| 2015 | 2013–2018 | 956 | 46 · 5 | 10 | Exterior Lighting |
| 2016 | 2013–2018 | 556 | 29 · 3 | 4 | Power Train |
| 2017 | 2013–2018 | 395 | 24 · 8 | 3 | Power Train |
| 2018 | 2013–2018 | 226 | 11 · 0 | 2 | Service Brakes |
| 2019 | 2019– | 235 | 22 · 5 | 7 | Electrical System |
| 2020 | 2019– | 183 | 16 · 7 | 6 | Electrical System |
| 2021 | 2019– | 72 | 8 · 1 | 2 | Electrical System |
| 2022 | 2019– | 20 | 4 · 1 | 0 | Forward Collision Avoidance |
| 2023 | 2019– | 30 | 5 · 1 | 0 | Electrical System |
| 2024 | 2019– | 44 | 7 · 1 | 1 | Service Brakes |
| 2025 | 2019– | 7 | 2 · 0 | 2 | Service Brakes |
| 2026 | 2019– | 1 | 0 · 0 | 0 | Electrical System |
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not divided by sales. Complaints NHTSA files under the Altima Hybrid name are not included.
Other Altima Years With a Known Weak Spot
Smaller clusters in NHTSA's records, and the recalls behind them.
2012 and 2016–2017: CVT
The powertrain is the component owners name most on the 2012 and 2016: 147 and 196 complaints describe the CVT.
2018–2020: automatic braking
107 complaints describe the automatic emergency braking or collision warning, 42 on the 2018.
2019–2020: VC-Turbo engine
Recall 25V437000 covers engine bearings on Altimas with the VC-Turbo engine.
2024: steering rack
Recall 23V882000: bolts joining the power-steering unit to the rack may loosen.
1994–1997: airbags
The airbags are the component owners name most on the 1994–1997; the 1995 drew 193 complaints.
2021–2026: few complaints
The 2021 drew 72 and later years fewer still.
What Altima Owners Say
Altima owners in these comments keep coming back to one habit, changing the CVT fluid, though one owner at 250,500 miles changed it only once.
In owners' words (paraphrased)
- 2015 SV: nine years and 233,015 miles on the original CVT, traded for a 2024.
- 2013: the transmission replaced under warranty at 98,000 miles; now past 300,000.
- 2011 bought at 30,000 miles: now 250,500 miles; the CVT would not shift out of second in cold weather until the car was restarted.
- 2008 2.5 coupe at 157,000 miles: running strong, with the CVT fluid changed every 60,000 miles.
- 2015 S at 325,000 miles: the first transmission trouble in its life.
- A renter: the seats made it a comfortable, relaxing car to drive.
Checking an Altima for Sale?
Enter the VIN for a free preview: title brands, junk and salvage records, total-loss records and odometer readings.
Fewest vs. Most Altima Complaints
Fewest is limited to the 2007–2021 Altimas (96% of the Altima VINs our visitors checked) and leaves out years where one fault is a quarter or more of complaints (2008–2009, 2011–2012 and 2014–2017).
Fewest complaints
- 2021: 72 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2020: 183 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2018: 226 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2019: 235 complaints, 7 recalls
- 2010: 382 complaints, 3 recalls
Most complaints
- 2013: 2,315 complaints, 12 recalls
- 2009: 1,547 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2014: 1,113 complaints, 8 recalls
- 2005: 1,091 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2002: 1,063 complaints, 12 recalls
Recall counts include multi-model campaigns.
The Altimas Our Visitors Check
Between 15 June 2026 and 14 November 2026, visitors ran 729 different Nissan Altima VINs through our free preview, all built in the US. 28 were 2006 or older, 125 (17%) 2007–2012, 303 (42%) 2013–2018 and 273 (37%) 2019 or newer.
56 were 2013s, the most-complained year. The single most-checked year was the 2015, at 70 VINs.
Altima Complaints by Generation
The 2002–2006 drew 4,137 complaints, the 2007–2012 4,126, the 2013–2018 5,561 and the 2019-on 592.
What to Check on a Used Altima
By year, the faults to look for.
2002–2006: floors and engine
Look underneath for rust holes; ask about catalytic-converter, sensor or engine work.
2008: dashboard
Look for a soft, sticky or shiny dash top and glare in the windshield.
2009: steering lock
Start the car several times; ask whether the steering lock was replaced.
2012–2017: CVT
Ask for CVT fluid changes; test for shudder or hesitation from a stop.
2013–2016: airbag sensor
The passenger airbag light should match who is sitting there; confirm 16V244000.
2013–2018: hood latch
Confirm 20V315000; the hood should latch firmly.
Reading Altima Complaint Numbers
NHTSA complaints are owner reports, not verified and not divided by sales, so compare Altima years with each other rather than with other models.
The fault counts come from searching the words owners used, so they are a minimum. The 2025 has 7 complaints so far.
Related Checks and Guides
Recalls, VIN tools and related pages.
Where These Facts Come From
Complaint and recall figures are NHTSA's own records; owner experiences are linked so you can read them in full.
NHTSA records read 15 November 2026. Written by the CarCheckerVIN editorial team with AI assistance, from NHTSA's complaint and recall records, our own preview logs and the owner posts linked above; figures checked November 2026. CarCheckerVIN is not affiliated with Nissan.
Nissan Altima Years to Avoid — Frequently Asked Questions
Engines, floors, steering locks, the CVT and the newest Altimas.
What is the worst year for the Nissan Altima?+
By NHTSA complaint count, the 2013 (2,315), then the 2009 (1,547) and the 2014 (1,113).
Why won't my 2009 Altima start?+
The most-reported fault on the 2009 is the electronic steering lock: 743 complaints describe it, often with the car refusing to start. NHTSA lists no recall for it.
Do Altima CVTs fail?+
CVT complaints peak on the 2013 and stay high to the 2017 (1,202 across the 2012–2017). Owners in the linked comments report original CVTs at 175,000 and 233,015 miles, and many recommend frequent fluid changes; one 2013 owner's was replaced under warranty at 98,000 miles.
Is the 2019 and newer Altima better?+
It has drawn far fewer complaints: 235 on the 2019 and 72 on the 2021, with automatic braking the biggest cluster. Check the VIN for 25V437000 on a 2019–2020 VC-Turbo.
Which Altima years rust?+
The 2005–2006 above all: 455 complaints describe floor pans rusting through, against 211 on the 2002–2004.
Will your report show these problems?+
No history report can tell you a CVT is wearing. Ours lists title brands, NMVTIS junk and salvage records, insurance total-loss records, odometer readings, and auction records with the damage the auction recorded and its photos for the VIN. Recalls are free to check on NHTSA's site.
Know the Year's Fault, Then Check the Title
On an Altima, the model year tells you what to inspect: floors on a 2005–2006, the steering lock on a 2009, CVT records on a 2012–2017. Free preview first; the full report is $14.99 and lists title brands, NMVTIS junk and salvage records, insurance total-loss records, odometer readings, and auction records with the damage the auction recorded and its photos.
Complaint and recall figures are NHTSA's public records as read on 15 November 2026; complaints are unverified owner reports. Owner comments are paraphrased from the linked video. CarCheckerVIN is not affiliated with Nissan. Records in our reports reflect what was reported to our data providers. Our reports do not include police or repair-shop accident entries.
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