Which Altima years are safe to buy, and which need a closer look?
A 2019-or-newer Altima is a safe buy — that's the redesigned platform, and 2022 and 2023 are the strongest used years. A 2013–2018 Altima can be fine too, but check the VIN first, because that generation carried the CVT issues. The year on the windshield matters more than the mileage.
Recent Altimas rate Average to Above Average in Consumer Reports predicted reliability, and the Altima topped its Midsize Car segment in J.D. Power's 2025 Initial Quality Study. The older generation had real CVT issues; the maintenance item that protects any Altima you buy is the 60,000-mile fluid exchange.
We've serviced Altimas in Sheffield Village for 12 years, across thousands of visits. We know which wear is normal and which model years come in for trouble. A good chunk of our buyers come back for a second or third lease on the same model, and people who get burned don't come back. That repeat business tells us more about reliability than any rating does.
The one thing you can control is the 60,000-mile CVT fluid exchange, done with the correct Nissan-spec fluid for your VIN. Main service number: 440-934-6001.
Altima reliability at a glance
- Current generation
- 2019 and newer
- J.D. Power 2025 IQS
- Altima tops Midsize Car segment
- Consumer Reports prediction
- Average to Above Average · 2022–23 strongest
- Strongest used model years
- 2022 and 2023
- CVT fluid spec (current)
- Nissan NS-3 (NS-2 on older cars)
- Major CVT service
- 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty
- 5 yr / 60,000 mi
- Realistic life
- 200,000 mi with scheduled care
What J.D. Power and Consumer Reports say.
The Nissan Altima ranked highest in the Midsize Car segment in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study, and Nissan ranked highest among all mass-market brands that year. The Initial Quality Study measures problems reported by owners of new 2025 vehicles in the first 90 days — a segment win here reflects build quality on current cars, not just a clean used-car history.
That's a meaningful turnaround from the CVT concerns that defined the 2013–2018 generation.
Consumer Reports rates recent Altima generations Average to Above Average in predicted reliability, with the 2022 and 2023 model years rated highest in the current generation. Consumer Reports data also notes that powertrain-related complaints dropped after Nissan's 2019 CVT redesign.
If you are shopping used and reliability is your top priority, start with 2022 or 2023.
It wasn't always this way. The 2013–2018 Altima had real CVT issues — Nissan settled a class action over the shudder and judder on those model years. The 2019 redesign fixed the core problem, and the 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty has stayed intact on every current-generation Altima we sell.
What I-90 Nissan owners experience.
Over our 12 years here, we've seen a lot of customers come back for a second and third Altima lease.
Our sales team sees one pattern most often: customers lease a Sentra for their first Nissan, move to an Altima on the second cycle, and stay with the Altima after that.
We see it all the time — Sentra, then Altima, then an Altima SR — and our managers know a lot of these repeat customers by name. That kind of relationship doesn't happen when the car keeps dragging people back in for unexpected repairs.
Most Altimas we see at the 60,000-mile service are still on their original CVT and engine, wearing exactly the way they should.
Altimas with consistent dealer maintenance almost always land in routine work: tires, brake jobs, cabin filters — no major drivetrain complaints. Ones with 100,000+ miles and clean records are a regular sight in our lane, not an exception.
Shopping for a new or pre-owned Altima? Browse the current inventory — we update it every morning with current pricing and any active Nissan Loyalty Cash.
One nice thing about servicing your Altima with us: our service drive is covered and heated. When your check-engine light comes on in February, you're not standing out in the snow while an advisor takes your keys. We pull your car inside no matter what the weather's doing out on Detroit Road.
Common Altima issues — and what to do about them.
Four issues come up most often with Altima owners at I-90 Nissan:
- CVT maintenance — the big one, and the most preventable.
- Electrical software concerns on 2019–2021 model years.
- Sunroof drain clogs on older trims.
- Brake pad wear that runs shorter than some owners expect.
CVT maintenance.
The CVT is the most-discussed reliability variable for any Altima. The current-generation (2019+) unit is a revised design with documented improvements over the 2013–2018 one.
The CVT fluid exchange at 60,000 miles, done with the correct VIN-specific Nissan fluid, is the maintenance item that protects the transmission. Skipping it — or using aftermarket fluid — is the most common self-inflicted failure we see in the service lane.
It matters for warranty, too. The Nissan 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty covers CVT failures under normal use, but if the fluid wasn't serviced to spec, that coverage can be challenged. Our service team verifies the correct fluid against your VIN before every CVT service.
Electrical concerns on 2019–2021 models.
Some 2019–2021 Altimas experienced infotainment and backup camera software issues covered under Nissan technical service bulletins (TSBs). These are not safety recalls but are dealer-correctable software updates at no charge during the warranty window. If you own a 2019–2021 Altima and have not had the software updated, call 440-934-6001 and ask our service advisors to run a TSB check against your VIN.
Sunroof drain clogs.
Altimas with the optional sunroof (particularly 2019–2022 models) can develop slow drain clogs. If the drain tubes aren't kept clear, water can get in.
It's a maintenance item, not a defect — and inexpensive labor. Worth asking about on any used Altima purchase. Call 440-934-6001 with your VIN for a written quote before the visit.
Front brake pad wear around 35–50K miles.
Altima front brake pads typically wear to the replacement threshold at 35,000–50,000 miles in normal I-90 corridor driving — shorter than some buyers expect. Rear pads typically last 50,000–70,000 miles.
Neither interval is a reliability red flag; it's normal for a daily stop-and-go commute. We flag pads at 4mm on the multi-point inspection, so you get a planned visit instead of an emergency one.
They were thorough, efficient, and right on time. The staff was friendly and made the whole experience smooth and easy. I really appreciated their attention to detail. — Verified service customer · published on bignissani90.com
Why ASE Master certification matters here.
For your Altima, this is the difference between a tech who's certified in one specialty and a tech who's certified in all eight. ASE Master means one technician holds the full set of automobile service credentials at once — engine, transmission, electrical, brakes, the whole list — re-tested every five years. Most independent shops carry one or two ASE-certified technicians on partial subsets; the Master designation is the full eight, held by a single technician. Here's why that matters on a CVT job.
The eight credentials cover:
- Engine repair
- Automatic transmission/transaxle
- Manual drivetrain
- Suspension and steering
- Brakes
- Electrical/electronic systems
- Heating and air conditioning
- Engine performance
For Altima owners this matters in two specific situations. CVT service requires knowledge of the current Nissan fluid specification and the correct service procedure for that model year's CVT variant. An incorrect fluid or an incomplete drain-and-fill cycle will accelerate wear without any visible symptom until the damage is done.
Electrical TSB updates are performed with the Nissan Consult III Plus diagnostic system used at authorized Nissan dealers.
| Altima generation | Reliability picture | CVT story | Used-buy verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
2013–2016L33 generation |
Mixed | Class-action settlement | Caution · check warranty |
2017–2018L33 refreshed |
Better than early L33 | Older CVT design | VIN-check first |
2019–2022L34 generation |
Improved markedly | Revised CVT · NS-3 fluid | Yes · run a TSB check |
|
Best used buy
2022–2023L34 generation
|
CR: "Above Average" | Revised CVT · clean record | Strongest used picks |
2024–2026Current |
J.D. Power 2025 IQS segment win | 2.5L + Xtronic CVT only | New-car confidence |
John Vuyancih, our Service Manager, oversees the service department at I-90 Nissan. His team flags what is urgent now, notes what is coming up soon, and tells you what can wait until the next visit. We quote in writing before any work begins. No work proceeds without your approval, and if the estimate changes during a job, we call before we act.
What customers tell us most.
Three patterns come up over and over in our Altima reviews: the price matches what's online, the invoice matches the written estimate, and the car just runs. Those are the comments we hear most across our 4.8-star rating from 2,100+ Google reviews. Here's what each pattern actually looks like.
- The sales price matched what they saw online. Customers consistently mention the out-the-door number matched the figure they saw online, or came close. Our CarEdge Grade A transparency score (96.7/100) and 0% add-on rate reflect the same practice. The price on the window is the price in the contract. The $398 documentary service fee is disclosed upfront and is in line with Ohio's 2026 statutory cap.
- The final invoice matched the written estimate. Altima owners mention written estimates before work begins and clear communication about what was done. They note advisors who explained the difference between urgent repairs and planned maintenance. See our Nissan service pricing guide for typical interval costs by job.
- The car just ran. The reviews from long-time Altima owners aren't dramatic. They say things like "no issues," "runs great," "only oil changes and tires in 60,000 miles." The cars people bother to praise are usually the ones that quietly did their job.
Altima maintenance milestones we work to
The bottom line on Altima reliability.
The 2019-and-newer Nissan Altima is a reliable midsize sedan, backed by Consumer Reports' Average-to-Above-Average predicted reliability and the Altima's Midsize Car segment win in J.D. Power's 2025 Initial Quality Study. The generation gap matters: 2013–2018 Altimas carry documented CVT history; 2019+ models represent a redesigned platform with a cleaner record.
The most important reliability variable within your control is continuously variable transmission (CVT) fluid maintenance at 60,000 miles, performed with the correct Nissan-specified fluid.
Our service team has handled Altima maintenance for 12 years at one address in Sheffield Village. People come back for the next Altima when we kept them happy on the first one.
To schedule service or ask about an Altima reliability check, call I-90 Nissan at 440-934-6001 or visit us at 5013 Detroit Rd, Sheffield Village, OH 44054.
Service hours
- Monday – Friday. 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM.
- Saturday. 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
- Sunday. Closed (sales are open 11 AM – 4 PM).
- Walk-in Express service. No appointment for oil, tires, batteries, filters — pulled into the indoor heated drive.
Written by the I-90 Nissan team.
Sheffield Village, Ohio. I-90 Nissan opened in April 2014 at 5013 Detroit Rd, Sheffield Village, as an authorized Nissan-franchised dealer on a single rooftop serving Northern Ohio and the western Cleveland suburbs. Reviewed by Diehl Belza, Managing Partner.
The service department is staffed by ASE-certified technicians under Service Manager John Vuyancih, with Service Advisors Ben Sink and Samantha Guzowski leading customer consultations.
The 2019-and-newer Altima is a different story than the 2013-2018 generation that gave Altimas a rough reputation. Consumer Reports' Average-to-Above-Average predicted reliability and the Altima's Midsize Car win in J.D. Power's 2025 Initial Quality Study line up with what we see at trade-in: a midsize Nissan that'll go 200,000 miles if you keep up with the maintenance. I-90 Nissan Service Team
Questions we hear most.
Is the 2024 or 2025 Nissan Altima reliable?
Yes. Consumer Reports rates recent Altimas Average to Above Average in predicted reliability, with 2022 and 2023 the strongest used years. The 2025 model continues on the same platform. For long-term reliability, the 2.5L naturally aspirated engine has the stronger service history over the prior 2.0L VC-Turbo. The Altima also topped its Midsize Car segment in the J.D. Power 2025 Initial Quality Study.
What is the most common Altima problem to watch for?
The CVT transmission on 2013–2018 Altimas is the most-discussed reliability concern — Nissan redesigned it for 2019 and the current generation has a cleaner record. On 2019+ cars, the most preventable issue is skipping the 60,000-mile CVT fluid exchange; wrong fluid or a missed interval can accelerate wear in ways the powertrain warranty may not cover. Our ASE Master technicians verify the correct fluid against your VIN before every service. If you own a 2019–2021 Altima, also ask about any open software TSBs for the infotainment or backup camera — those updates are no charge during the warranty window.
How long does a Nissan Altima last?
With proper maintenance, a current-generation Altima can realistically reach 200,000 miles. The key intervals: oil changes every 5,000 miles, CVT fluid exchange at 60,000 miles with the correct Nissan-spec fluid, and coolant service at 60,000 miles. Call 440-934-6001 or schedule online.
Does the Nissan Altima have CVT problems in 2024 and 2025?
No. The 2019-and-newer Altima uses a redesigned CVT — not the same unit as the 2013–2018 version involved in the class-action settlement, and Consumer Reports does not flag it as a problem area. The most common CVT-related issue we see is deferred fluid maintenance. Our service team checks the correct fluid spec against your VIN at every major visit and flags it before it becomes a warranty concern.
How much does it cost to maintain a Nissan Altima?
The biggest scheduled cost is the CVT fluid exchange at 60,000 miles — the most important interval to keep on time. Routine items (oil every 5,000 miles, tire rotations, filters) are predictable. Front brake pads typically run to replacement between 35,000–50,000 miles in stop-and-go I-90 driving. We provide written estimates before any work begins. Call 440-934-6001 for a VIN-specific quote.
Can I get Altima warranty work done at I-90 Nissan if I bought the car elsewhere?
Yes. Per Nissan's factory warranty terms, the 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and the 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty are honored at any authorized Nissan dealer. It does not matter where the vehicle was originally purchased. I-90 Nissan is an authorized Nissan-franchised dealer at 5013 Detroit Rd, Sheffield Village, OH 44054. Bring your warranty documentation or just your VIN, and we confirm coverage before any work begins. Call 440-934-6001.