My GarageIs the Nissan Altima a good used car?
Only buy an Altima with documented CVT fluid service every 30k, or plan for CVT replacement in the ownership budget. Engine longevity is fine; transmission is the story.
Buyer's Guide · Nissan Altima · Midsize sedan
Used Nissan Altima Buyer's Guide
3 min read
Also worth reading: Nissan Reliability Guide, Best Used Nissan Models and Nissan Frontier Buying Guide.
The Altima's driving feel and comfort are competitive with the Camry and Accord — but the Jatco CVT is the single defining variable of long-term ownership.
Quick Verdict
- Overall verdict
- 3.4/5 · Average
- Reliability
- 3.3/5 · Average
- Best years
- 2019+ (6th gen, post-QR25 refresh)
- Years to research
- 2013–2018 (5th gen)
- Maintenance cost
- 3.8/5 · Good
- Parts availability
- 4.5/5 · Excellent
- Ownership cost
- 3.6/5 · Good
Bottom line: Only with a documented CVT fluid history.
Overall
★★★★★3.4/5
Only buy an Altima with documented CVT fluid service every 30k, or plan for CVT replacement in the ownership budget. Engine longevity is fine; transmission is the story.
Reliability
★★★★★3.3/5
Maintenance
★★★★★3.8/5
Parts availability
★★★★★4.5/5
Ownership cost
★★★★★3.6/5
Top Picks
Best Years to Buy
Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.
2019+ (6th gen, post-QR25 refresh)
Newer platform; CVT still requires strict fluid service.
Side by side
Nissan Altima ratings at a glance
| Category | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3.4/5 | Average |
| Reliability | 3.3/5 | Average |
| Maintenance | 3.8/5 | Good |
| Parts availability | 4.5/5 | Excellent |
| Ownership cost | 3.6/5 | Good |
Do your homework
Years to Research Carefully
Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.
2013–2018 (5th gen)
Well-documented CVT failure pattern between 90k–140k miles on neglected examples.
Known issues
Common Problems
Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.
- ✓Jatco CVT failure without fluid service
- ✓Timing-chain guides on older QR25DE 2.5L
- ✓Steering-wheel and shifter-boot wear
- ✓AC compressor on high-mileage examples
- ✓Rear brake caliper wear
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Ownership
Maintenance Expectations
Routine maintenance is inexpensive; the Altima uses conventional parts and any shop can service it.
CVT fluid every 30k is not optional — this is the single largest ownership-cost variable.
Before you buy
Inspection Checklist
What to verify on any candidate car.
CVT
Test drive under varied throttle; no shudder, no slip, no whine.
Service records
CVT fluid history documented — walkaway if missing.
Engine
QR25: listen for timing-chain rattle at cold start.
Rust
Rear subframe on Northeast cars.
Interior
Driver seat and wheel condition indicate real-world miles.
Living with it
Ownership Experience
- • Comfortable and quiet; competitive with Camry and Accord on ride quality.
- • Real-world 28–32 mpg highway.
- • CVT is the ownership wild card.
The Verdict
Should You Buy a Used Nissan Altima?
Only with a documented CVT fluid history. Otherwise prefer Camry or Accord.
People Also Ask
How many miles will a Altima last?
Comfortable and quiet; competitive with Camry and Accord on ride quality.
Is the Altima expensive to maintain?
Routine maintenance is inexpensive; the Altima uses conventional parts and any shop can service it.
Which Altima year should I buy?
2019+ (6th gen, post-QR25 refresh) is the range we'd shop first. Newer platform; CVT still requires strict fluid service.
What are the most common Nissan Altima problems?
The issues that come up most often are jatco CVT failure without fluid service, Timing-chain guides on older QR25DE 2.5L and Steering-wheel and shifter-boot wear. Each one is checkable during a pre-purchase inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How reliable is the Nissan Altima?
Our scoring puts the Nissan Altima at 3.3/5 for reliability. Only buy an Altima with documented CVT fluid service every 30k, or plan for CVT replacement in the ownership budget. Engine longevity is fine; transmission is the story.
Which Altima years should I avoid?
2013–2018 (5th gen) deserve the most scrutiny — see the Years to Research section for the specific issues to check.
What are the best years for the Nissan Altima?
2019+ (6th gen, post-QR25 refresh) are the strongest years to target — Newer platform; CVT still requires strict fluid service.
How long does a Nissan Altima last?
A well-maintained Altima from the recommended years should comfortably reach 200,000 miles, with the strongest powertrains clearing 300,000+.
Is the Altima expensive to maintain?
Routine maintenance is inexpensive; the Altima uses conventional parts and any shop can service it.
What should I inspect before buying a used Altima?
Focus on: CVT, Service records, Engine, Rust. Details for each are in the Inspection Checklist section.
What are the most common Altima problems?
Jatco CVT failure without fluid service; Timing-chain guides on older QR25DE 2.5L; Steering-wheel and shifter-boot wear; AC compressor on high-mileage examples
Is 150,000 miles too much for a Altima?
Not on its own. A 150k-mile Altima with documented service history is often a better buy than an 80k-mile example with no records — the Altima's core mechanicals routinely run well past 200k.
Should I buy a used Nissan Altima?
Only with a documented CVT fluid history. Otherwise prefer Camry or Accord.
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