Nissan Altima — the 15 years we've written up
2010–2024, side by side: what goes wrong on each, what the fix costs, and what they typically ask. 14 of the 15 carry a high-severity issue.
What this page is
These are the 15 Nissan Altima model years Kestrel has done the homework on — not every year Nissan built one. A year that isn't listed here isn't a year we're warning you off; it's one we haven't written up yet. Ranking a whole model run would mean telling you about years we've never looked at.
Nissan Altima by year
How many owner complaints NHTSA holds. A big number usually means a lot were sold; the shape matters more than the total.
Year by year
Steering rack bolts can loosen and lock the steering (recall 23V882) — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed; $1,500–$2,500 for a steering gear out of pocket if the VIN is somehow outside the campaign
Automatic emergency braking stops the car for nothing — and once did not stop it at all — $200–$600 for a radar recalibration; $900–$1,800 for a radar unit
Automatic emergency braking stops the car on an open highway; AEB warning light and beep every drive — $200–$600 for a radar recalibration; $900–$1,800 for a radar unit
Emergency braking fires for nothing under overpasses and in weather — and did not fire in two crashes — $200–$600 for a radar recalibration; $900–$1,800 for a radar unit
VC-Turbo engine bearings can fail and put a hole in the block (recall 25V437) — $0 with the recall — verify it was performed; $8,000–$12,000 for a VC-Turbo engine if the inspection finds debris
Xtronic CVT failure — $3,500-$5,000
Brake light switch fails — brake lights out, push-button start refuses — $120–$300
CVT hesitates from a stop then lurches; shudders and loses speed on the highway — $3,500–$5,000 for a replacement CVT; $1,200–$2,000 for a valve body
CVT delays, jerks, overheats and fails — the largest cluster by far — $3,500–$5,000
CVT reliability — $3,000-$4,500
CVT slips, shudders, delays in reverse, and fails — $3,500–$5,000
CVT transmission failure — $3,500-$5,000
CVT loses drive on the highway — high revs, no speed, limp mode — $3,000–$4,500 for a remanufactured CVT installed; $200–$300 for a fluid service
CVT slips, whines, refuses to shift and fails — 68 complaints, and no extended warranty on this year — $150–$300 for a fluid change; $3,500–$5,500 for a rebuilt or replacement CVT
Jatco CVT overheats into limp mode on the highway, hunts RPM, and fails — 73 complaints — $150–$300 for a fluid change; $3,500–$5,500 for a rebuilt or replacement CVT
1 of these 15 have no high-severity issue in our write-up. That means we didn't find an expensive recurring fault — not that one cannot exist on the specific vehicle you're looking at.
Looking at one in particular?
This page covers the Nissan Altima in general. The Kestrel report covers the one you're looking at — the asking price against the market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
Get My Verdict — $7.99Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for that year.
Known issues are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
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