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The 2019 Nissan Altima has 224 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2019 Nissan Altima has 224 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 54 complaints, typically surfacing around 45,482 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Altima | 548 | 0 |
| 2017 Altima | 387 | 2 |
| 2018 Altima | 223 | 1 |
| 2019 Altima (this page) | 224 | 3 |
| 2020 Altima | 175 | 2 |
| 2021 Altima | 69 | 2 |
| 2022 Altima | 20 | 0 |
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2019 Nissan Altima 4 DR AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 45,482 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that lead was found in the oil pan. The vehicle…
My vehicle was in motion on a city street. I went to make a turn because of a curve and my steering wheel and brake would not work. My emergency brake system (which is suppose to stop my vehicle before impact, did not deploy. I ran straight into a stone wall and fence. I…
Ice deposits forming in the engine EGR valve preventing the EGR valve from properly functioning. This results in a "limp home mode" where the engine power output is severely reduced. Ice deposits physically verified by dealer. this condition routinely happens when parked…
Automatic emergency braking system has serious issues that Nissan knows about but can't fix. Warning lights on dash come on at random times, both solidly out and flashing, and even worse, at times with no other cars on the highway, the vehicle decides to slam on the brakes. Very…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
If the brake switch remains in the ON position, the brake lights will remain illuminated when the brakes are not being pressed, which may confuse other drivers. Additionally, the transmission shift lever may be moved out of the Park position without the brake pedal being pressed, allowing the vehicle to roll unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
If the retainer clip is unlocked, the fuel tube may shift and cause a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire. If the fuel tube fully disconnects, the engine can stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. AQ22003 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 224 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 Nissan Altima has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
The 2019 Nissan Altima is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 54 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 9,000–67,582 mi; Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 54 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,482 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 224 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 45,482 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 54 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,482 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 45,482 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 224 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.