Model year
2021 Nissan Altima
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 70 complaints for the 2021 Nissan Altima (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (20), FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING (18), SERVICE BRAKES (18). NHTSA lists 2 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 29–32 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,100–$2,300, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 160 complaints
- 2001 159 complaints
- 2002 1,047 complaints
- 2003 883 complaints
- 2004 276 complaints
- 2005 1,091 complaints
- 2006 824 complaints
- 2007 471 complaints
- 2008 1,030 complaints
- 2009 1,547 complaints
- 2010 381 complaints
- 2011 242 complaints
- 2012 426 complaints
- 2013 2,313 complaints
- 2014 1,114 complaints
- 2015 955 complaints
- 2016 554 complaints
- 2017 392 complaints
- 2018 226 complaints
- 2019 233 complaints
- 2020 160 complaints
- 2021 70 complaints
- 2022 31 complaints
- 2023 30 complaints
- 2024 41 complaints
- 2025 7 complaints
- 2026 1 complaints
Recalls
23V628000 · Sep 8, 2023
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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…
21V138000 · Mar 4, 2021
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
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.
Complaints
70 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 7, fire flag on 1, injury field 4, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQ22003 | Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | Dec 16, 2022 | No close date in the file |
| PE23023 | Complete loss of motive power due to engine failure · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ENGINE | Dec 13, 2023 | Jul 18, 2025 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR AWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.092 | NHTSA photo |
| 4 DR FWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · possibility 0.092 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima · 2.5L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 28 | 39 | 32 | — | — | $2,100 |
| Altima SR · 2.5L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 37 | 31 | — | — | $2,150 |
| Altima AWD · 2.5L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 35 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Altima AWD SR/Platinum · 2.5L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 34 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Altima SV/SL · 2.5L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 37 | 31 | — | — | $2,150 |
| Altima SR/Platinum · 2L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 34 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 Nissan Altima at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.