Nissan Altima: Years to Avoid & Common Problems

Steer clear of the 2013 Nissan Altima if you can — it logged 2,976 complaints, a rate 9.3 times the model's average, driven by airbag misclassification, transmission shudder, and hood latch failures. Other high-risk years include 2009 (steering-lock failures) and several early-2000s models tied to engine fire recalls, while 2023-2025 Altimas run far cleaner.

Key Takeaways

• The 2013 Altima is the worst year by a wide margin: 2,976 complaints, a 9.3x complaint rate versus the model average, 12 recalls, and 5 NHTSA investigations (1 still open).
• The 2009 Altima ranks second-worst (6.72x average, 2,150 complaints), with steering complaints alone accounting for 862 reports — 40% of that year's total.
• Nissan has issued 64 recalls covering the Altima nameplate, and NHTSA has logged 20,183 total complaints and opened 41 investigations across the model's history.
• Transmission complaints are a recurring theme in the 2013-2017 generation, peaking at 29.8% of all complaints in the 2016 model year (233 of 781).
• The newest Altimas are comparatively trouble-free — the 2025 model has just 10 complaints on file, making it the cleanest year in the lineup.

Which Altima Model Years Should You Avoid?

Avoid the 2013, 2009, and 2014 Altimas first — they carry the highest complaint rates in the model's history, at 9.3x, 6.72x, and 4.35x the average. Several other years from the early 2000s and the 2013-2017 CVT-transmission generation also run well above average. Here's how the most-flagged years compare, ranked by complaint rate:

• 2013 — 2,976 complaints (9.3x model average), led by airbag misclassification, transmission shudder, and hood-latch corrosion.
• 2009 — 2,150 complaints (6.72x model average), dominated by steering and electronic steering-lock failures.
• 2014 — 1,391 complaints (4.35x model average), with lighting, transmission, and airbag complaints all elevated.
• 2008 — 1,376 complaints (4.3x model average), led by body/structure and visibility complaints.
• 2005 — 1,364 complaints (4.26x model average).
• 2002 — 1,321 complaints (4.13x model average); engine complaints made up 57% of reports, tied to an overheating pre-catalyst fire risk.
• 2015 — 1,197 complaints (3.74x model average), again led by lighting and transmission.
• 2003 — 1,099 complaints (3.43x model average).
• 2006 — 1,043 complaints (3.26x model average).
• 2016 — 781 complaints (2.44x model average), nearly 30% of them transmission-related.

Several more recent years — 2007, 2012, 2010, 2017, and 2018-2022 — are also flagged, though for a different reason: their complaint rates sit at or below average, but each carries at least one open NHTSA investigation. See how VehicleVerdict weighs that below, or compare the Altima's worst years against other models on our most complained-about model years ranking.

What's the Most Common Altima Problem?

Transmission trouble is the most consistent complaint across Altima model years, especially in the 2013-2017 generation built with a CVT (continuously variable transmission). It's the top complaint category for the 2016 Altima (233 of 781 complaints, 29.8%) and among the top three for 2013, 2014, and 2015. Owners describe jerking, shuddering, and burning smells — one 2015 owner reported the "transmission seemed as if it was experiencing a failure since the vehicle would jerk while driving with an abnormal odor of coolant burning."

Airbags and lighting round out the other big complaint categories for this generation. A 2016 recall (campaign 16V244000) covering 3.3 million Nissan and Infiniti vehicles, including the Altima, addressed an Occupant Classification System that could misclassify an adult passenger and disable the airbag. Read our guide on CVT transmission problems for more on why these transmissions fail, see how the Altima stacks up on our worst transmission problems ranking, and check reading a recall notice to decode terms like "defect," "consequence," and "remedy."

Why Does the 2013 Altima Have Such a High Complaint Rate?

The 2013 Altima combines high complaint volume with real safety consequences: 104 crashes, 92 injuries, and 2 deaths reported to NHTSA, alongside 12 recalls and 5 investigations. Airbags (513 complaints) and transmission (505 complaints) are nearly tied as the top complaint categories, followed by lighting (442 complaints). One owner wrote, "I was in an accident and the air bags did not deploy. My children and I were injured. I serviced my car at Nissan for the airbag recall twice."

NHTSA also opened an Engineering Analysis (EA19002) into corroded rear lower control arms on 2013-2018 Altimas after more than 90 complaints; it closed in 2025 after Nissan extended the part's warranty to 10 years/unlimited mileage. Our explainer on how NHTSA investigations work covers the difference between a Preliminary Evaluation, an Engineering Analysis, and a recall.

What Caused the 2009 Altima's Steering Complaints?

Steering issues account for 862 of the 2009 Altima's 2,150 complaints — 40% of everything reported that year. The complaints center on the vehicle's electronic steering column lock (ESCL), which owners say can fail and leave the car unable to start. One driver described being "stranded after work at midnight" because "the car is useless it does not start," while another reported paying $1,200 to have the steering column lock replaced. NHTSA's recall data doesn't show a formal steering-related recall tied to this model year — the complaint volume alone is what pushes 2009 onto the avoid list. If you're evaluating a used 2009 Altima, check its full complaint history with our guide on researching a used car's NHTSA history.

Did the 2002 Altima Have Engine Fire Problems?

Yes. Engine complaints made up 752 of the 2002 Altima's 1,321 reports (57% of the total), and NHTSA opened a formal investigation (PE02078) into engine compartment fires that same year. The cause traced back to an exhaust pipe hanger pin that could catch road debris and ignite near the catalyst, plus a pre-catalyst that could overheat and damage the cylinder walls, raising oil consumption. One owner reported the "engine check light appeared on dashboard, indicating that vehicle caught on fire" while driving 70 mph on the highway. Nissan's recall (03V084000) covered 338,000 vehicles and added heat shields to fix it. See how the Altima compares on our worst engine problems ranking.

How Does VehicleVerdict Calculate "Years to Avoid"?

VehicleVerdict flags a model year when its complaint rate runs meaningfully above that model's own historical average, when it carries an open NHTSA investigation, or both — never from star ratings or opinion. That's why some newer Altima years appear on the list despite modest complaint counts: they still have unresolved investigations open. Full scoring details are on our methodology page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the worst year for the Nissan Altima?

The 2013 Nissan Altima is the worst year, with 2,976 complaints filed with NHTSA — a rate 9.3 times the model's average. It also carries 12 recalls and 5 investigations, covering issues from airbag misclassification to transmission shudder and hood latch corrosion.

What year Altima has the fewest problems?

The 2025 Altima has the fewest reported problems, with only 10 complaints on file so far, followed by 2023 (37 complaints) and 2024 (60 complaints). These newer years simply have less time on the road, so their complaint counts will likely climb over time.

Does the Nissan Altima have transmission problems?

Yes. Transmission complaints are elevated throughout the 2013-2017 Altima generation, which used a CVT. Transmission issues made up 29.8% of all 2016 Altima complaints and ranked among the top three complaint categories for 2013, 2014, and 2015, with owners describing jerking, shuddering, and burning smells.

Is it safe to buy a used 2009 Nissan Altima?

The 2009 Altima can still be a reasonable used buy, but budget for a steering-column inspection. It's the model's second-worst year, with 2,150 complaints, 40% of them about the electronic steering column lock failing and leaving the car unable to start.

How many recalls does the Nissan Altima have?

Nissan has issued 64 recalls covering the Altima across all model years, spanning airbags, hood latches, engine, fuel system, and suspension components. The 2013 model year alone accounts for 12 of them, the highest of any single year.

Should I avoid every Altima year flagged on this list?

Not necessarily. Years like 2018-2022 have complaint rates at or below the model average but carry an open NHTSA investigation — a lower level of concern than a year like 2013, which has both a high complaint rate and open investigations. Check the Altima hub page for the reason behind each flag before ruling a year out.