Nissan Altima years to avoid
The Nissan Altima years to avoid are 2013, 2009, 2014, 2008, 2005, 2002, 2015, 2003, 2006, 2016, 2007, 2012, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2025 is the cleanest year on record.
20,241
Total complaints
65
Recall campaigns
1993–2025
Years covered
19
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Altima years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | High complaints + open investigation | 2,982 | |
| 2009 | High complaint rate | 2,150 | |
| 2014 | High complaints + open investigation | 1,396 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 1,376 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 1,364 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 1,321 | |
| 2015 | High complaints + open investigation | 1,203 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 1,099 | |
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 1,043 | |
| 2016 | High complaints + open investigation | 790 | |
| 2007 | High complaint rate | 598 | |
| 2012 | High complaint rate | 579 | |
| 2010 | High complaint rate | 541 | |
| 2017 | High complaints + open investigation | 521 | |
| 2019 | Open safety investigation | 357 | |
| 2018 | Open safety investigation | 323 | |
| 2020 | Open safety investigation | 262 | |
| 2021 | Open safety investigation | 120 | |
| 2022 | Open safety investigation | 55 |
Every Altima year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 62 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 39 | 0 | |
| 2022avoid | 55 | 0 | |
| 2021avoid | 120 | 2 | |
| 2020avoid | 262 | 6 | |
| 2019avoid | 357 | 7 | |
| 2018avoid | 323 | 2 | |
| 2017avoid | 521 | 3 | |
| 2016avoid | 790 | 4 | |
| 2015avoid | 1,203 | 10 | |
| 2014avoid | 1,396 | 8 | |
| 2013avoid | 2,982 | 12 | |
| 2012avoid | 579 | 4 | |
| 2011 | 320 | 1 | |
| 2010avoid | 541 | 3 | |
| 2009avoid | 2,150 | 4 | |
| 2008avoid | 1,376 | 4 | |
| 2007avoid | 598 | 3 | |
| 2006avoid | 1,043 | 4 | |
| 2005avoid | 1,364 | 2 | |
| 2004 | 334 | 5 | |
| 2003avoid | 1,099 | 10 | |
| 2002avoid | 1,321 | 12 | |
| 2001 | 202 | 2 | |
| 2000 | 199 | 2 | |
| 1999 | 110 | 4 | |
| 1998 | 141 | 4 | |
| 1997 | 141 | 3 | |
| 1996 | 117 | 2 | |
| 1995 | 216 | 5 | |
| 1994 | 120 | 4 | |
| 1993 | 150 | 3 |
Common questions
What are the worst Nissan Altima years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Altima years to avoid are 2013, 2009, 2014, 2008, 2005, 2002, 2015, 2003, 2006, 2016, 2007, 2012, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022. The cleanest year on record is 2025.
What is the best year for the Nissan Altima?
By complaint volume, 2025 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Altima years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Nissan Altima have?
Across all model years, the Altima has 65 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 20,241 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.