The Lemon Index2019 Nissan Altima.
The 2019 Nissan Altima is better than average by owner complaints: 106 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 50, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 29 to 32 mpg combined. The best Nissan Altima year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 233 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Nissan Altima year. 2019 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 50K miles on the car (76 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- brakes complaints mostly came at 2K–15K miles
Recalls 7
- engine 2025
The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.
- back over prevention 2023
Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image.
- tires 2021
On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Show all 7 recalls
- back over prevention 2019
Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles.
- fuel system, gasoline 2019
The fuel pump lock ring may not be fully engaged, possibly causing fuel to leak.
- lights 2019
The brake switch bracket may be in the incorrect location, which may cause the brake switch to remain on.
- fuel system, gasoline 2018
The retainer clip connecting the low pressure fuel tube to the high pressure fuel pump may not have been locked into position.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 188 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- NISSAN; VIBRATION AND/OR NOISE WHEN MAKING LOW SPEED TURNS IF YOU CONFIRM There is a vibration…
- 2019-2021 ALTIMA AND 2021 ROGUE; AC INOPERATIVE WITH DTC B20C8-14 STORED IF YOU CONFIRM The AC…
- Rear automatic braking warning light illuminated and/or dtc c1b56-04 or c1b56-97 stored in the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHertz/vehicles rented with open recalls2022
- ClosedComplete loss of motive power due to engine failure2023–2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Altima 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2000–2200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
driving at maybe 10 -15 MPH in an empty parking lot about to park and car aggressively brakes for no reason. Completely startled and unsettled me its a good thing no one was behind me.
2019 Nissan Altima owner · NHTSA complaint 11422299
More owner reports
When I try to start my car, the steering wheel and break pedal are locked. When I press the brake and push the start button nothing happens. The battery is charged and there is no corrosion on the cables.
NHTSA complaint 11360372
The forward collision warning malfunctions and a warning light is displayed. This used to be an intermittent problem which now occurs every time I drive the vehicle. This is an important safety feature in the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 11434159
Quick answers
Is the 2019 Nissan Altima reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 50; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Altima year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2019 Nissan Altima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (21%), automatic emergency braking (21%) and electrical (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Nissan Altima have?
7 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Nissan Altima get?
29 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2019 Nissan Altima safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2019 Nissan Altima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 2,800 and 50,600 miles. The middle report was at 18,100 miles, from 76 complaints.
Does the 2019 Nissan Altima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2019 Nissan Altima cost in fuel a year?
About $2000 to $2200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 Nissan Altima have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Nissan Altima year is better than the 2019?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2011 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works