Buyer Research

2014 Nissan Altima — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $6,000–$10,000. There is 1 high-severity known issue you need to know before handing over a check.

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Kestrel Take

Over a thousand complaints and eight recalls, and the largest cluster is not the CVT — it is the headlights. Owners cannot see at night; the reflectors degrade and new bulbs do not help, and Nissan settled a class action over it. Then the CVT, then a passenger airbag light with three recalls behind it. This is a cheap, comfortable, fuel-efficient sedan that asks you to accept three known faults for the price. Know the CVT's history or don't buy it.

What we checked

Reconciled against public records, 2026-09-25

NHTSA holds 1,113 owner complaints for the 2014 Nissan Altima, and 8 recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. The largest single group is the lights at 27%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.

8 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2014 Nissan Altima

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents. How we decide that.

Headlights too dim to see by — reflector degradation, not bulbsMedium

299 complaints, 27% of the record, 4 after a crash: low beams that light 50 feet of road, bulbs replaced twice with no improvement. The halogen headlamp reflectors on 2013–2018 Altimas degrade and Nissan settled a class action offering partial reimbursement for replacement assemblies. Whether this car's assemblies were replaced is on the invoice or it isn't. Drive it at night before you buy, or accept a $600+ bill.

Repair cost (estimate): $300–$700 per headlight assembly

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the lights (299).

CVT slips, shudders, delays in reverse, and failsHigh — wallet impact

209 complaints: delayed engagement in reverse, a transmission that 'dies and revives', slipping under load, then a dealer quoting $4,000 for a replacement. Nissan extended the CVT warranty on 2013–2014 Altimas after a class action; that coverage is now expired by age on any 2014. The transmission's fluid should have been changed at 60,000 miles and the fluid cooler should be clean — neither is usually true on a car at this price.

Repair cost (estimate): $3,500–$5,000 — around 63% of what this car is typically worth

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (209).

Passenger airbag light stays on with an adult in the seat — three recallsMedium

208 complaints, 32 after a crash: the passenger airbag indicator says OFF with a grown adult aboard, and dealers quote $2,000 for a seat sensor. Recalls 16V911 and 16V244 replaced the occupant classification system on 2013–2016 Altimas, and 15V681 replaced Takata passenger inflators. Three campaigns on the same seat; all three must show complete, and the light must be off with someone sitting there.

Repair cost: $0 with the recall — verify it was performed; $600–$2,000 for a sensor outside it — about 25% of what this car is typically worth

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under airbags (208); 8 NHTSA recall campaigns on this model year.

Hood can fly open at speed — secondary latch corrosion, three recallsMedium

Recalls 15V116, 16V029 and 20V315, each widening the last: the secondary hood latch corrodes and, if the primary is released, the hood can open while driving. The third recall (2020) covers every 2013–2018 Altima. Free replacement of the latch.

Repair cost: $0 with the recall — verify it was performed

Source: 8 NHTSA recall campaigns on this model year.

Rear suspension noise and premature tire wearLow

132 complaints filed under suspension, mostly clunks from the rear and inside-edge tire wear. Rear upper control arms and a factory alignment that eats tires. Check the inside edges of the rear tires.

Repair cost (estimate): $300–$800

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the suspension (132).

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗A daytime-only test drive
✗Any delay when shifting into reverse
✗Passenger airbag OFF with an adult in the seat
✗Hood latch recalls open
✗CVT fluid never changed

Good Signs

✓Headlamp assemblies replaced with an invoice
✓CVT replaced under Nissan's extended warranty, with the paperwork
✓All eight recalls closed
✓CVT fluid changed on schedule with Nissan NS-2