2022 Nissan Altima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2022 Nissan Altima carries two red flags at once: 52 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.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across driver assistance (12), other (9), and engine (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations · 1 open

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2022 compare to other Altima years?

Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2022 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Altima years to avoid →

What are the most common 2022 Nissan Altima problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Driver Assistance	12	23%	▼ down
Other	9	17%	— flat
Electrical System	7	13%	▼ down
Engine	7	13%	— flat
Brakes	4	8%	▼ down
Airbags	3	6%	▲ up
Transmission	3	6%	— flat
Body & Structure	2	4%	▲ up
Suspension	2	4%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	1	2%	— flat
Visibility & Wipers	1	2%	▼ down
Lighting	1	2%	— flat

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. Â§ 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.

“A warning indicator comes on and flashes in my Nissan Altima 2022 I've called told them and I had a electrical short and sparked and smoke came out of my air vents and I told and told them some thing was wrong with my car if it has to do with ace line and dash why did it smoke and caught a fire in…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · May 24, 2022 · fire

“I was driving to work. As I was doing so multiple lights came on my dashboard and it started dinging. At the same time my car immediately shot left so hard into the concrete median barrier at 70 mph. It all happened so fast I was not able to see what lights came on. My steering wheel would not…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 26, 2023 · crash

“A warning indicator comes on and flashes in my Nissan Altima 2022 I've called told them and I had a electrical short and sparked and smoke came out of my air vents and I told and told them some thing was wrong with my car if it has to do with ace line and dash why did it smoke and caught a fire in…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 24, 2022 · fire

“I was driving along I55 at 65-70 mph when my car had multiple lights come on the dash w d started ringing. My car then shot left into the median wall. It spun at least twice hitting the wall and stopping facing southbound in the northbound lanes. The vehicle is currently at the ins inspection lot.…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 26, 2023 · crash

“ I got into 2 accidents with my 2022 Nissan Altima (October 12 & 13). on Oct.12 I backed into a parked vehicle in a parking lot.I did drive the car home. The next day after getting an estimate at a local auto body shop I drove home and my car would not stop in my driveway and I crashed into my…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 12, 2023 · crash

2022 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 2022 Nissan Altima reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 52 complaints put the 2022 model at #31 of 33 Altima years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Altima years to avoid.

What are the most common 2022 Altima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (12 complaints), other (9 complaints), engine (7 complaints).

Does the 2022 Nissan Altima have recalls?

No. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2022 Nissan Altima.

Is the 2022 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 2022 Nissan Altima?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2022 Nissan Altima earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.