VehicleVerdict

2021 Nissan Altima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2021 Nissan Altima carries two red flags at once: 111 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.

Driver Assistance leads the complaint categories with 28 reports (25% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

111

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

14

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Altima years?

Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted2,976 complaints1993: 150 complaints1994: 120 complaints1995: 216 complaints1996: 117 complaints1997: 141 complaints1998: 141 complaints1999: 110 complaints2000: 199 complaints2001: 202 complaints2002: 1,321 complaints2003: 1,099 complaints2004: 334 complaints2005: 1,364 complaints2006: 1,043 complaints2007: 598 complaints2008: 1,376 complaints2009: 2,150 complaints2010: 541 complaints2011: 320 complaints2012: 577 complaints2013: 2,976 complaints2014: 1,391 complaints2015: 1,197 complaints2016: 781 complaints2017: 507 complaints2018: 320 complaints2019: 344 complaints2020: 278 complaints2021: 111 complaints2022: 52 complaints2023: 37 complaints2024: 60 complaints2025: 10 complaints
Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Altima years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Nissan Altima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance2825%
Electrical System1917%
Brakes1816%
Other1211%
Engine76%
Steering65%
Suspension44%
Seat Belts33%
Seats33%
Transmission33%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Latches & Locks22%
Airbags22%
Body & Structure11%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2021 Nissan Altima have recalls?

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

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.

21V138000SteeringMarch 4, 2021 · 2,407 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.

Consequence

A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PC795.

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.

“Driving down the street a truck in front of the lady in front of me. It was a green light he decided to stop. She stopped I put I started to stop my brakes would not stop the car nor did the emergency front collision brakes work I could not stop the car.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · May 5, 2023 · crash

“While driving home from work I experienced my fourth or fifth malfunction error flashing across my digital display. It scares me because this time is different. This time the flash made the seat vibrate and before I had a chance to react, I totally lost control Of my steering even though I had my…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 24, 2021 · crash

“Driving down the street a truck in front of the lady in front of me. It was a green light he decided to stop. She stopped I put I started to stop my brakes would not stop the car nor did the emergency front collision brakes work I could not stop the car.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 5, 2023 · crash

“On 10/26/23 at 5:00 pm I was involved in an accident I was hit on the front passenger side and none of the airbags deployed I do remember that right on impact immediately my chest started hurting I also hit my head on the driver side window now i dont know how fast i should be going or how hard do…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 26, 2023 · crash

“Often while driving the car loses power as if the power went off or I ran out of gas,,, studder for a moment then pick up power to continue to drive is the best way I can describe it. Immediately after I get a notification on the dashboard saying maintenance something ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 12, 2026

2021 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 2021 Nissan Altima reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 111 complaints put the 2021 model at #28 of 33 Altima years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Altima years to avoid.

What are the most common 2021 Altima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (28 complaints), electrical system (19 complaints), brakes (18 complaints).

Does the 2021 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2021 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 2021 Nissan Altima?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 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.