2021 Nissan Altima
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control leads by volume: 25 of 69 complaints (36%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 179 in 2020 to 69 in 2021.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–2,150 | 1,950–2,150 | 1,950–2,150 | 1,950–2,150 | 2,000–2,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 29–32 | 29–32 | 29–32 | 29–32 | 29–31 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 25–28 / 34–39 | 25–28 / 34–39 | 25–28 / 34–39 | 25–28 / 34–39 | 25–27 / 34–38 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 278–311 | 278–311 | 281–311 | 278–311 | 282–311 | |
| Complaints filed | 231 | 179 | 69 | 30 | 29 | |
| Recalls issued | 7 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 22 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 11 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Altima have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Nissan Altima?
Driver Assistance & Speed Control: 25 of 69 NHTSA complaints (36%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Nissan Altima get?
EPA rates it 29–32 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Nissan Altima?
EPA estimates $1,950–$2,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 39 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $1,950 (low) | 281 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 27 mpg | 37 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,000 | 290 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 35 mpg | 29 mpg (low) | $2,150 (high) | 295 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg (low) | 34 mpg (low) | 29 mpg (low) | $2,150 (high) | 309 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 27 mpg | 37 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,000 | 289 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg (low) | 34 mpg (low) | 29 mpg (low) | $2,150 (high) | 311 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 21 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 20 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 25 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 23V628000 · Sep 11, 2023
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.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY · Campaign 21V138000 · Mar 5, 2021
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.