Research · Midsize Cars
2026 Nissan AltimaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint for the 2026 Nissan Altima. Most complaints involve electrical system (1) and lane departure (1). The EPA rates it 28–30 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
28–30mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
1
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2026 Nissan Altima as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2026 – Sep 2026
- Electrical system1
- Lane departure1
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 year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 125 |
| 1999 | 96 |
| 2000 | 176 |
| 2001 | 168 |
| 2002 | 1,062 |
| 2003 | 883 |
| 2004 | 276 |
| 2005 | 1,091 |
| 2006 | 824 |
| 2007 | 498 |
| 2008 | 1,031 |
| 2009 | 1,547 |
| 2010 | 381 |
| 2011 | 242 |
| 2012 | 426 |
| 2013 | 2,315 |
| 2014 | 1,113 |
| 2015 | 955 |
| 2016 | 555 |
| 2017 | 393 |
| 2018 | 226 |
| 2019 | 234 |
| 2020 | 182 |
| 2021 | 71 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 30 |
| 2024 | 43 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 1 |
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Electrical system
1 report
“This vehicle has a 360 camera system to allow me to see all around the vehicle when parking or leaving a parking area around other vehicles. The cameras provide such a poor quality image that I can not see what is around me and the car. The system of cameras also have unacceptably slow response time when identifying the lines on the road when using the Pro Pilot Assist designed to keep the vehicle safely between the lines of the lane I am driving. I purchased the car several days ago and took it to the service department for a correction. The service department said, "Image quality from AVM cameras is normal for this car." I later found out that other cars of this make and model experience the same deficiencies. There has been not recalls to repair this problem.”
Lane departure
1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
2 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
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 36 | 30 | $2,150 | 297 |
| Altima AWD Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,300 | 316 |
- 30mpg comb.
- 28mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5NISSAN ALTIMA 4 DR N/A 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 N/A FWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 5 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 9.2%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2026 Altima questions
How many recalls does the 2026 Nissan Altima have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 3, 2026.
What are the most common 2026 Nissan Altima problems?
Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (1), lane departure (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2026 Nissan Altima get?
The EPA rates the 2026 Nissan Altima at 28–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
How safe is the 2026 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Nissan Altima 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026