Buckle up, Altima hunters! We’re delving deep into the Nissan Altima’s DNA, separating the winners from the duds. I’ve crunched data from NHTSA, Consumer Reports, and real Altima owners to bring you the conclusive guide.
On deck: a no-holds-barred voyage through Altima generations, from its early days to the latest tech marvels. We’ll cover notable specs, eye-opening owner complaints, and cringe-inducing recall histories.
Ready to become an Altima aficionado?
Let’s hit the accelerator and zoom out into the realm of Nissan’s midsize wonder!
Table of ContentsShow
Nissan Altima Generations
The Nissan Altima burst onto the scene in 1992, shaking up the midsize sedan game with its remarkable blend of zoom, sip, and style. This wasn’t just another car – it was Nissan’s battle cry in the fierce U.S. midsize market.
Here’s a concise overview of the Altima’s family tree from 2002 onwards:
| Generation | Years |
|---|---|
| 3rd generation (L31) | 2002-2006 |
| 4th generation (L32) | 2007-2012 |
| 5th generation (L33) | 2013-2018 |
| 6th generation (L34) | 2019-Present |
Each new generation isn’t just a facelift – it’s a jump forward in tech, design, efficiency, and safety. Knowing these milestones can make or break your Altima purchasing decision.
Nissan Altima Best, Neutral, and Worst Years
When it comes to ranking Altima years, we’re not just throwing darts at a calendar. We’re plunging deep into a sea of data, including:
- What owners are saying (the good, the bad, and the ugly)
- How much you’ll shell out for annual tune-ups
- Safety ratings (because who doesn’t want a car that’s got your back?)
- Consumer Reports’ reliability scores (they’ve done their homework)
- How satisfied owners are with their rides
- NHTSA’s rap sheet of recalls, investigations, and complaints
- Ratings from the car gurus at Edmunds, JD Power, Kelley’s Blue Book (KBB), VehicleHistory, and Cars.com
Want to see how the Altima’s been functioning over the years? Check out this chart that brings all these ratings together:
Now, let’s break it down into the favorable, the meh, and the ugly:
| Generation | Best Years | Neutral Years | Worst Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd generation (L31) | 2004 | 2005 2006 | 2002 2003 |
| 4th generation (L32) | 2010 2011 2012 | 2007 | 2008 2009 |
| 5th generation (L33) | 2017 2018 | 2016 | 2013 2014 2015 |
| 6th generation (L34) | 2021 2022 2023 2024 | N/A | 2019 2020 |
Those “Neutral Years”? That’s when the Altima was just… ordinary. Not terrible, but not writing home about it either.
Remember, more NHTSA recalls and grievances usually mean the car’s dependability took a nosedive.
Ready to delve into the nitty-gritty of each Altima generation?
Let’s roll!
Best & Worst Years for Nissan Altima 3rd Generation (2002-2006)
The 3rd Gen Altima hit the streets in 2002, flexing bigger muscles, more power, and some significant style upgrades compared to its older siblings.
In this lineup, 2004 takes the crown as the generation’s golden child, while 2002 and 2003 are the black sheep you’ll want to shun.
The Best Years: 2004
The 2004 Altima isn’t just the finest of its generation – it’s the stylish kid that fixed its predecessors’ mistakes and came out gleaming.
Under the bonnet, you had options:
- A peppy 2.5L QR25DE I4 engine pumping out 175 horses
- A beastly 3.5L VQ35DE V6 engine roaring with 245 hp
Both came with a 5-speed manual as standard, but you could opt for a 4-speed automatic if that’s more your preference.
Fuel efficiency? Not too shabby:
- Four-cylinder: 20 city / 27 highway mpg
- V6: 18 city / 24 highway mpg
Trim levels ran the gamut from the bare-bones base 2.5 to the luxurious 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL, which threw in goodies like a Bose sound system to rock out to, leather seats to sink into, and a sunroof to let the dazzling sunshine in.
Safety-wise, you got dual front airbags, side airbags, and anti-lock brakes on the premium trims.
But let’s keep it real – even this top dog had some snarling issues with engine performance and structural integrity. No car’s perfect, right?
The Neutral Years: 2005, 2006
The 2005 and 2006 Altimas kept the celebration going with the same engine and transmission setups as their 2004 cousin. But they couldn’t quite shake off all the troublesome issues from the past.
What constrained them from greatness?
- Engines still had a habit of stalling or guzzling oil like it was going out of style
- Transmission gripes, while fewer, still popped up – especially in those fancy CVT models
- Rust and corrosion were uninvited guests, particularly on the underbelly and around the floorboard
The Worst Years: 2002, 2003
If the Altima had yearbook superlatives, 2002 and 2003 would be “Most Likely to Leave You Stranded.” These years got the lowest scores from VehicleHistory and Cars.com – ouch.
What made these years such an agonizing headache?
- Engines were more drama than a soap opera, with stalling issues and oil consumption that would make an oil baron blush
- Transmissions, especially the automatics, had a bad habit of giving up the ghost unexpectedly
- The car’s structure was about as solid as a sandcastle, with corrosion and rust eating away at the floorboard and front floor pan
- Electrical systems were as reliable as a weatherman’s forecast
- Recalls? Oh, they had plenty – from wonky camshaft sensors to lights that decided to take unscheduled breaks
Want the nitty-gritty on these recalls and complaints?
Check out the NHTSA information on the 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006 Altimas.
Best & Worst Years for Nissan Altima 4th Generation (2007-2012)
2007 ushered in the 4th Gen Altima, and boy, did Nissan pull out all the stops. We’re talking a novel platform, sleek new looks, improved performance, and tech that would make a gadget geek drool.
The cream of the crop? That’d be the 2010-2012 models. But avoid the 2008 and 2009 Altimas unless you’re a glutton for anguish.
The Best Years: 2010, 2011, 2012
The 2010-2012 Altimas aren’t just excellent – they’re the ones that make J.D. Power give a standing ovation.
Under the bonnet, you had two flavors:
- A trusty 2.5L QR25DE I4 engine with 175 horses chomping at the bit
- A brawny 3.5L VQ35DE V6 engine flexing 270 hp
Both came paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT – smooth as butter on a hot pan.
Fuel economy? These babies sipped gas like an elegant lady:
- Four-cylinder: 23 city / 32 highway mpg
- V6: 20 city / 27 highway mpg
Trim levels ran from the no-frills 2.5 to the loaded 3.5 SL, with goodies like Bose speakers to rock out to, nav systems to keep you on track, and a rearview camera to save your bumper.
These years also brought some clever tech to the Altima party:
- Keyless entry (because fumbling for keys is so last century)
- Push-button start (feel like you’re launching a rocket)
- Bluetooth (for hands-free chatting while cruising)
The Neutral Years: 2007
The 2007 Altima was like a beginner in university – full of promise, but still figuring things out.
It kept the engines and CVT from its former siblings, so efficiency and fuel economy were on point.
But it wasn’t all plain sailing:
- Recalls and complaints? Yeah, it had a few
- Brakes decided to get creative sometimes
- The floor pan had an identity crisis, thinking it was more rust than metal
- AC and power steering had their moments of rebellion
The Worst Years: 2008, 2009
If you see a 2008 or 2009 Altima, flee. These are the years that Altima owners have terrible nightmares about.
What made these years such a chaotic mess?
- CVT transmissions were about as reliable as a chocolate teapot
- Engines had a drinking problem… with oil
- 2009 brought a new party trick: steering wheel locks that turned your car into an immovable object
- Airbags played hide and seek
- Electrical gremlins ran amok
- The floor pan and subframe thought rust was a fashion statement
And recalls? Oh boy, they had more recalls than a defective toy factory.
Want to see the entire horror spectacle?
Check out the NHTSA’s top picks for the 2008 and 2009 Altimas.
Best & Worst Years for Nissan Altima 5th Generation (2013-2018)
The 5th Gen Altima rolled into town in 2013, looking sleek, sipping less fuel, and packed with enough tech to make a Silicon Valley startup jealous.
The luminaries of this generation? That’d be 2017 and 2018. But if you value your mental health (and wallet), avoid the 2013-2015 models.
The Best Years: 2017, 2018
The 2017 and 2018 Altimas aren’t just good – they’re the “teacher’s pet” of the 5th generation. Fewer recalls, happier owners, and enough gold stars from J.D. Power, VehicleHistory, and Cars.com to fill a trophy case.
Under the hood, you had two options:
Both paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT – smoother than a con artist’s sales pitch.
Fuel economy? These babies sipped gas like it was pricey coffee:
- Four-cylinder: 27 city / 38 highway mpg
- V6: 22 city / 32 highway mpg
Trim levels ran from the basic 2.5 to the decked-out 3.5 SL, with plenty of choices in between.
Safety features? These Altimas came furnished with Nissan’s Safety Shield:
- Automatic emergency braking (for when you’re too busy singing to notice that stopped car ahead)
- Intelligent cruise control (because maintaining a safe distance is hard)
- Rear cross-traffic alert (for those ninja cars in parking lots)
- Blind-spot warning (because mirrors are so last century)
No wonder these models got the IIHS to hand over its Premier Safety Pick+ award.
The Neutral Years: 2016
The 2016 Altima is like that friend who’s mostly cool but has a few quirks you have to overlook.
It retained the excellent stuff from its siblings:
- Same solid engine options
- Mid-generation facelift that turned heads
- Introduction of the sporty SR trim for those feeling frisky
But it wasn’t all rosy:
- CVT transmission still had some growing pains
- AC sometimes decided to take a vacation
- Electrical systems occasionally threw tantrums
Not awful, not great – just… meh.
The Worst Years: 2013, 2014, 2015
If the Altima had a “Awkward Phase,” this would be it. These years racked up more NHTSA complaints than a customer service hotline on Black Friday.
What made these years such an agonizing headache?
- CVT transmission issues that would make a mechanic weep
- Hood latches that thought “surprise!” was a fun game to play at highway speeds
- Airbag systems with an identity crisis
- 2013 was particularly problematic, with more issues than a celebrity rehab center
Want to see the complete rap sheet?
Check out the NHTSA’s top hits for the 2013, 2014, and 2015 Altimas.
Best & Worst Years for Nissan Altima 6th Generation (2019-Present)
The 6th Gen Altima strutted onto the scene in 2019, flexing fresh design muscles, beefed-up performance options, safety tech that could make a protective parent jealous, and – plot twist – an AWD option for those who like their sedans with a side of adventure.
The precious children of this generation? That’d be 2021-2024. But if you value your mental health (and wallet), you might want to think twice about the 2019 and 2020 models.
The Best Years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Altima’s A-team. These models aren’t just exceptional – they’re the ones that make other sedans want to up their game.
Under the bonnet, you’ve got options:
- A solid 2.5L I4 engine pumping out 188 horses
- A fancy pants variable compression turbocharged (VC-Turbo) 2.0L KR20DDET I4 engine flexing up to 248 hp
Both come paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT – silkier than a mellow saxophone solo.
Fuel economy? These babies sip fuel like it’s a rare wine:
- 2.5L models: 28 city / 39 highway mpg
- VC-Turbo: 25 city / 34 highway mpg
And for those who like their sedans with a bit of all-terrain enthusiasm, there’s an AWD option (but only for the 2.5L engine – can’t have everything, correct?).
Trim levels run from the basic S to the luxurious Platinum, with plenty of options in between to suit your taste and budget.
Safety features? These Altimas come equipped with Nissan’s Safety Shield 360:
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection (for when you’re too busy belting out power ballads to notice that jaywalker)
- Rear automatic braking (because sometimes looking behind you is hard)
- Lane departure warning (for those moments when the road is less interesting than your phone)
- Blind spot warning (because mirrors are so last century)
- Rear cross-traffic alert (for those ninja cars in parking lots)
The Worst Years: 2019, 2020
Ah, 2019 and 2020 – the years that prove even cutting-edge tech can have developmental pains.
What made these years such an agonizing headache?
- ProPILOT Assist sometimes had a mind of its own, deciding to take unexpected detours or play “guess the lane”
- The 2019 VC-Turbo engine had mood swings, with performance as unpredictable as a cat’s affection
- Backup cameras that were more “modern art” than “clear view”
- Fuel pumps that sometimes decided pumping fuel was optional
- 2020 brought a new party trick: hood latches that thought “peek-a-boo” was a fun highway game
Want to see the complete rap sheet?
Check out the NHTSA’s greatest hits for the 2019 and 2020 Altimas.
Nissan Altima Average Resale Values
Curious about how much your Altima might be worth down the road? Check out this graph that shows how these vehicles hold their value over time:
Conclusion
We’ve taken a wild ride through the Altima’s family tree, and now you’re armed with the inside information. The pick of the litter? Those would be the 2010-2012, 2017, 2018, and 2021-2024 models – the ones that’ll make you look like a car-buying guru.
So, which Altima model has caught your interest?
Are you Team Reliability with the later models, or are you feeling lucky with an earlier edition?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below – let’s get this Altima party started!
