Is the Nissan Altima reliable?
40% of the 49 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 54/100 — it scores noticeably below average.
49
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections54/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10040%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 49 used Nissan Altimas we inspected, this model scores noticeably below average — average condition 54/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Oil leaks · Engine
63%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
43%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
41%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
37%
Mounts · Engine
29%
Share of inspected Nissan Altimas where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 16%
Good 24%
Mediocre 29%
Poor 31%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
88%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
14%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
22%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
How long does a Altima stay good?
Good cars by mileage
Share of Nissan Altimas in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.
More on Nissan
Other Nissan models we've inspected — or see the full Nissan profile.
Straight from recent Nissan Altima reports
2012 Nissan Altima · 174k mi — flagged: oil leaks, signs of recent repair, fuel trim out of range. Inspected Aug 12.
2020 Nissan Altima · 121k mi — flagged: fuel trim out of range, cv joints, tires condition & wear. Inspected Jun 10.
The bottom line
These Altimas often hide body and frame work, so start underneath and at the seams and walk if anything looks repaired. The engine is the next deal-breaker: oil leaks show up on 63 percent of them, frequently with worn mounts and fuel-trim issues, so insist on a cold start, an under-car inspection, and a live scan. Combine seepage or codes with any structural patch and you should leave; only a dry, quiet engine on a clean structure is worth negotiating, and even then use the common tire wear and error codes as extra leverage.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems on a used Nissan Altima?
The items we flag most often are oil leaks (63%), tires condition & wear (43%), active error codes (41%). Have these checked before buying.
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Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 22% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
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Based on 49 inspections · updated Oct 1, 2026
