VehicleVerdict

2019 Nissan Altima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2019 Nissan Altima carries two red flags at once: 344 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls). It is one of the Altima years to avoid. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across driver assistance (62), electrical system (59), and engine (52), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

344

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

40

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

17

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other Altima years?

See all Altima years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Nissan Altima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance6218%
Electrical System5917%
Engine5215%
Other4613%
Brakes309%
Visibility & Wipers154%
Fuel System123%
Tires & Wheels123%
Airbags103%
Transmission93%
Speed Control93%
Suspension82%
Body & Structure62%
Seat Belts51%
Seats41%
Steering31%
Lighting10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2019 Nissan Altima have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V437000EngineJune 27, 2025 · 443,899 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.

Consequence

Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk of an engine fire.

Remedy

Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R25A8/A9 and R25B1/B2.

23V628000Driver AssistanceSeptember 8, 2023 · 153,376 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C3.

21V169000Tires & WheelsMarch 11, 2021 · 36,141 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

Consequence

Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC798.

19V654000Driver AssistanceSeptember 12, 2019 · 1,228,830 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

19V316000Fuel SystemApril 18, 2019 · 374 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Altima vehicles equipped with front wheel drive (FWD) and 2.5 liter engines. The fuel pump lock ring may not be fully engaged, possibly causing fuel to leak. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tank assembly. If the lock ring is disengaged, dealers will tighten the ring to specification. If the lock ring is detached, dealers will replace the fuel pump. Both remedies will be completed free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

19V235000LightingMarch 25, 2019 · 5,744 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Nissan Altima vehicles. The brake switch bracket may be in the incorrect location, which may cause the brake switch to remain on.

Consequence

If the brake switch remains in the ON position, the brake lights will remain illuminated when the brakes are not being pressed, which may confuse other drivers. Additionally, the transmission shift lever may be moved out of the Park position without the brake pedal being pressed, allowing the vehicle to roll unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a new brake pedal as needed, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

18V922000Fuel SystemDecember 20, 2018 · 23,903 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Altima vehicles. The retainer clip connecting the low pressure fuel tube to the high pressure fuel pump may not have been locked into position.

Consequence

If the retainer clip is unlocked, the fuel tube may shift and cause a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire. If the fuel tube fully disconnects, the engine can stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan has notified owners, and dealers will route the fuel hose into the holding clip and lock the retainer clip into place, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ22003

Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls

NHTSA is opening this audit query to investigate whether The Hertz Corporation (Hertz) has complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act). The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a rental company shall not rent a vehicle subject to a safety recall unless the recall remedy has been performed. 49 U.S.C. § 30120(i).NHTSA is in receipt of information that indicates Hertz rented vehicles to customers without having performed required recall repairs. Accordingly, we are opening this audit query to seek additional information concerning this issue.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I changed the Air Mass Flow sensor and it’s still showing the check engine light on my dash board and giving me the same code after replacing it brand new. My brakes sound horrible after replacing both sets of brakes, front and back. The Foward Collision Warning sensor did not respond in a timely…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · July 29, 2025 · crash

I changed the Air Mass Flow sensor and it’s still showing the check engine light on my dash board and giving me the same code after replacing it brand new. My brakes sound horrible after replacing both sets of brakes, front and back. The Foward Collision Warning sensor did not respond in a timely…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 29, 2025 · crash

I GET ERROR MESSAGE FOR MY 2019 NISSAN ALTIMA OF ENGINE MALFUNCTION, REDUCE POWER, SERVICE NOW. ALONG WITH OTHER SAFTY FEATURES LIKE CASH DETECTION, TRACTION AND ENGINE LIGHT. MY CAR SHAKES, FEELS LIKE IT WILL STALL ESPECIALLY WHEN STOPPED AND JERKS. MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW THIS RECALL. I HAVE GOTTEN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 6, 2025

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT AT 45 MPH. THE RADIO GOES CRAZY AND TURNS UP WIDE OPEN WHILE NO ONE TOUCHES THE CONTROLS.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 20, 2019 · crash

I changed the Air Mass Flow sensor and it’s still showing the check engine light on my dash board and giving me the same code after replacing it brand new. My brakes sound horrible after replacing both sets of brakes, front and back. The Foward Collision Warning sensor did not respond in a timely…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 29, 2025 · crash

2019 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 2019 Nissan Altima reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 344 complaints put the 2019 model at #15 of 33 Altima years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Altima years to avoid.

What are the most common 2019 Altima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (62 complaints), electrical system (59 complaints), engine (52 complaints).

Does the 2019 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2019 Nissan Altima under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Nissan Altima years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among Altima years belongs to 2025.

How safe is the 2019 Nissan Altima?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 Nissan Altima earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.