Nissan Altima Problems: 17 Issues Every Owner Should Know

2000-2023 model years · 11,696+ owner reports · Updated April 2026

According to Au7o's analysis of 11,696+ owner reports, the 2000-2023 Nissan Altima has 17 documented known issues, with 10 rated critical. The most serious are CVT Transmission Failure/Shudder ($300-$5,000 repair), CVT Transmission Failure ($3,000-$5,000 repair), Steering Column Lock Failure ($400-$1,200 repair), Fuel Pump Failure (Recall) ($0-$0 repair), 2.5L Pre-Catalyst Breakdown Causing Excessive Oil Consumption and Engine Damage ($900-$4,500 repair), Rusting Front Floorboards and Underbody Corrosion Near the Firewall/Subframe Area ($500-$3,000 repair), Engine Control Module Relay / ECM Power Interruption Causing Stall or No-Start ($0-$250 repair), Brake Master Cylinder Internal Seal Failure Causing Long Pedal or Reduced Braking ($0-$900 repair), Rear Lower Control Arm Corrosion and Separation Risk ($0-$1,200 repair) and Passenger Occupant Classification Sensor / Air Bag Warning Light Fault ($250-$1,800 repair). The most commonly reported issue is with 4,500 owner reports. Across all issues, repair costs range from $0 to $5,000. at .

All 17 Known Issues

Filter:

When Issues Typically Appear

Brake Master Cylinder Internal Seal Failure Causing Long Pedal or Reduced Braking

30K-120K

Sunroof Drain Leakage Causing Wet Front Floor, BCM Corrosion, and Electrical Malfunctions

30K-150K

Engine Control Module Relay / ECM Power Interruption Causing Stall or No-Start

40K-140K

Passenger Occupant Classification Sensor / Air Bag Warning Light Fault

40K-140K

2.5L Pre-Catalyst Breakdown Causing Excessive Oil Consumption and Engine Damage

60K-140K

Rear Lower Control Arm Corrosion and Separation Risk

70K-180K

Crankshaft and Camshaft Position Sensor Failures Causing Stalling or No-Start

70K-160K

Power Steering Rack and High-Pressure Hose Leaks Leading to Loss of Assist

80K-180K

Front Wheel Bearing and Hub Failure Causing Humming Noise and ABS/Wheel Speed Issues

90K-180K

CVT Transmission Failure/Shudder

96K-144K

CVT Transmission Failure

96K-144K

Rusting Front Floorboards and Underbody Corrosion Near the Firewall/Subframe Area

100K-220K

063K125K188K250K mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Nissan Altima problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 11,696+ owner reports, the 2000-2023 Nissan Altima has 17 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: CVT Transmission Failure/Shudder, CVT Transmission Failure, Steering Column Lock Failure. Of these, 10 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Nissan Altima reliable?

The 2000-2023 Nissan Altima has 17 known issues documented across 11,696+ owner reports. 10 issues are rated critical: CVT Transmission Failure/Shudder and CVT Transmission Failure and Steering Column Lock Failure and Fuel Pump Failure (Recall) and 2.5L Pre-Catalyst Breakdown Causing Excessive Oil Consumption and Engine Damage and Rusting Front Floorboards and Underbody Corrosion Near the Firewall/Subframe Area and Engine Control Module Relay / ECM Power Interruption Causing Stall or No-Start and Brake Master Cylinder Internal Seal Failure Causing Long Pedal or Reduced Braking and Rear Lower Control Arm Corrosion and Separation Risk and Passenger Occupant Classification Sensor / Air Bag Warning Light Fault. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Nissan Altima problems?

Repair costs for known Nissan Altima issues range from $0 to $5,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, CVT Transmission Failure/Shudder, typically costs $300-$5,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What year Nissan Altima is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the Nissan Altima. Based on owner reports, issues are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2000-2023 Nissan Altima with 17 documented issues from 11,696+ owner reports.