Research · Midsize Cars

2023 Nissan AltimaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 30 owner complaints for the 2023 Nissan Altima. Most complaints involve electrical system (11) and engine (6). The EPA rates it 29–31 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
29–31mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
30
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2023 Nissan Altima as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

30 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2023 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system11
  2. Engine6
  3. Forward collision avoidance4
  4. Service brakes3
  5. Visibility/wiper2
  6. Power train1
  7. Seats1
  8. Tires1
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Altima model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998125
199996
2000176
2001168
20021,062
2003883
2004276
20051,091
2006824
2007498
20081,031
20091,547
2010381
2011242
2012426
20132,315
20141,113
2015955
2016555
2017393
2018226
2019234
2020182
202171
202220
202330
202443
20257
20261
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

11 reports
“Our back up camera has colored lines in which won’t go away I can’t see what is around me or behind there were recalls on these cameras but not the 2023 Altima just seeing if others are having this problem. The car is only 3 years old”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11770411

Engine

6 reports1 fire
“I was driving down the freeway at about 70 miles an hour. When a warning came up, saying engine malfunction power reduced, the car then started the shaking a bit and not getting any power. Smoke started pouring out of the hood. I then pulled over open the hood. It was then on fire(small).I put it out with some water. And then the car was unable to start. I then towed it to my house and i'm waiting here on inspection.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2026EngineFire reportedODI 11747812

Forward collision avoidance

4 reports3 crashes
“During a traffic incident on March 26 2026 I was the driver of the 2023 Nissan Altima SL and I suffered unnecessary bodily injury due to the AEB system. I was in a forward collision, the warning indicator did not go off, and the AEB may have went off after the crash unnecessarily causing major damage to my right shoulder tearing one ligament partially, one ligament completely and tearing my rotator cuff and needing reconstruction and two joints anchored. The impact of the AEB jolt went up my wrist and the force through my shoulder to cause that damage is inexplainable since I was at a complete stop and maybe only one car length away from the other car. I hit my face on the steering wheel. Airbags did not deploy. My son in the passenger seat suffered a concussion as did I. The only thing we can find that could cause this amount of damage is if the AEB decelerated after impact unnecessarily and the airbag did not deploy. That means our bodies were already moving through the impact of the crash only to have been thrust into a second unnecessarily intensely strong AEB jolt. Had the AEB not engaged, we would not have injuries. The warning system failed to activate…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 12, 2026Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11730673
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic (AV-S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Altima
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273831$2,050282
Altima SL/SR
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273630$2,150287
Altima AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
263429$2,200300
Altima SR
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253429$2,200311
  • Altima
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    27 city · 38 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Altima SL/SR
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    27 city · 36 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Altima AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    26 city · 34 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Altima SR
    Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    25 city · 34 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Nissan Altima 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.2%
Overall
5 / 5
Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.2%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 18390Vehicle 18389
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2023 Altima questions

How many recalls does the 2023 Nissan Altima have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 3, 2026.

What are the most common 2023 Nissan Altima problems?

Owners filed 30 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (11), engine (6), forward collision avoidance (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2023 Nissan Altima get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Nissan Altima at 29–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2023 Nissan Altima?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Nissan Altima 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026