Research · Midsize Cars

2025 Nissan AltimaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints for the 2025 Nissan Altima. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (1) and service brakes, air (1). The EPA rates it 28–31 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
28–31mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Aug 2026
Owner complaints
7
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$2,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: critical fasteners

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima vehicles. The front passenger air bag and front passenger knee air bag may have been installed with incorrect mounting fasteners, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.

Air bagsReported Aug 13, 2026NHTSA 26V526000

Latches

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Jan 21, 2026NHTSA 26V023000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2025 – Sep 2026
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic1
  2. Service brakes, air1
  3. Power train1
  4. Electrical system1
  5. Wheels1
  6. Fuel/propulsion system1
  7. Visibility/wiper1
  8. Back over prevention1
  9. Air bags1

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
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

1 report1 crash
“The contact's wife owned a 2025 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving downhill at 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle continued accelerating downhill and the contact drove over granite lines on the side of the road to slow the vehicle but the vehicle side-swiped another vehicle and stopped at the bottom of the hill. The contact stated that the vehicle had continued to accelerate through the intersection and he made a right turn up a hill and then made a left turn into a parking lot. The contact proceeded to drive the vehicle in a circle around the parking lot to slow the vehicle down to a near stop before shifting the vehicle into park(P) and shutting off the vehicle. At the time of the crash, no one involved in the crash reported any injuries, and medical attention was refused; however, the contact's insurance company received notice of a lawsuit from the other driver claiming they suffered bodily injuries due to the accident, the injuries remain unknown. A Police report was filed. The contact stated that the crash aggravated an existing back injury; however, the injury did not require…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2026Service brakes, hydraulic, Service brakes, airCrash reportedODI 11766188

Service brakes, air

1 report1 crash

Power train

1 report
“This vehicle was rented to me on 04/23/2026. While driving, the gear shifter detached from its housing, causing the vehicle to become stuck in Drive. Due to this mechanical failure, I was unable to shift the vehicle into Park, Reverse, or Neutral. As a result, I was required to continuously apply pressure to the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from moving until law enforcement arrived and assisted me. This incident created a hazardous condition that placed both myself and other motorists at risk. The California Highway Patrol responded to the scene and contacted Payless Rental Company, from whom the vehicle was rented, to report the incident. A police report was subsequently filed documenting that a defective and mechanically unsafe vehicle had been rented to a customer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 5, 2026Power trainODI 11735890
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
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$2,050281
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
253428$2,300317
  • 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
    25 city · 34 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    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 20744Vehicle 20743
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

2025 Altima questions

How many recalls does the 2025 Nissan Altima have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2025 Nissan Altima problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (1), service brakes, air (1), power train (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2025 Nissan Altima get?

The EPA rates the 2025 Nissan Altima at 28–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2025 Nissan Altima?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2025 Nissan Altima 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026