Nissan · Known Issues
2021 Nissan Altima Problems: 7 Known Issues
2021 model year · 5,600+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2021 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2021 model year · 5,600+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2021 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 5,600+ owner reports, the 2021 Nissan Altima has 7 documented known issues, with 3 rated critical. The most serious are CVT Transmission Failure/Shudder ($300-$5,000 repair), Fuel Pump Failure (Recall) ($0-$0 repair) and Forward Emergency Braking (FEB/AEB) Phantom Braking — System Brakes Hard With No Obstacle ($0-$600 repair). The most commonly reported issue is CVT Transmission Failure/Shudder with 4,500 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $300 to $5,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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."
TIRES
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Altima vehicles equipped with front wheel drive (FWD) and 2.5 liter engines. The fuel pump lock ring may not be fully engaged, possibly causing fuel to leak. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Nissan North America, Inc (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Altima vehicles. The retainer clip connecting the low pressure fuel tube to the high pressure fuel pump may not have been locked into position.
+ 5 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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According to Au7o's analysis of 5,600+ owner reports, the 2021 Nissan Altima has 7 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: CVT Transmission Failure/Shudder, Fuel Pump Failure (Recall), Forward Emergency Braking (FEB/AEB) Phantom Braking — System Brakes Hard With No Obstacle. Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2021 Nissan Altima has 7 known issues documented across 5,600+ owner reports. 3 issues are rated critical: CVT Transmission Failure/Shudder and Fuel Pump Failure (Recall) and Forward Emergency Braking (FEB/AEB) Phantom Braking — System Brakes Hard With No Obstacle. 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.
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.
The CVT transmission is known for reliability issues including shuddering, jerking, and complete failure. Nissan extended the CVT warranty on some model years to 10 years/120,000 miles due to widespread problems. High-mileage CVTs are particularly at risk. Repairs typically run $300-$5,000. Severity: high.
Nissan issued a recall for fuel pump issues that can cause engine stalling or failure to start. The fuel pump impeller may deform, causing fuel delivery problems. This affects multiple Nissan models. Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
Altimas equipped with Nissan's standard Forward Emergency Braking / Automatic Emergency Braking (part of the Safety Shield 360 / Forward Collision suite) are widely reported to activate suddenly when no collision is imminent — so-called 'phantom braking.' Owners and NHTSA complai… Repairs typically run $0-$600. Severity: high.
The 2.5L PR25DD four-cylinder used in 2019+ Altimas is direct-injection only, so fuel never washes the back of the intake valves. Over time carbon/soot accumulates on the intake valves and on the intake-manifold runner control flaps, causing rough idle, hesitation, reduced power,… Repairs typically run $400-$1,200. Severity: medium.
P0420 (catalyst system efficiency below threshold) is one of the most common check-engine codes on the 2.5L Altima. The integrated exhaust-manifold/catalyst on these cars loses efficiency as the substrate degrades, the downstream oxygen sensor begins tracking the upstream sensor,… Repairs typically run $300-$1,850. Severity: medium.
The infotainment system can experience freezing, lag, and connectivity issues. Bluetooth pairing problems and CarPlay/Android Auto disconnections are common. The touchscreen may become unresponsive. Repairs typically run $0-$800. Severity: low.
Owners report widespread clearcoat/paint peeling and flaking, with the hood and roof typically the worst-affected horizontal panels, sometimes coming off in large jagged strips. A class-action lawsuit (filed Nov 2023) alleges a defective/insufficient primer on 2017-present Nissan… Repairs typically run $300-$3,000. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.