2022 Nissan Altima problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 20 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2022 Nissan Altima has 20 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 4 complaints, typically surfacing around 55,000 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Altima | 226 | 7 |
| 2020 Altima | 177 | 6 |
| 2021 Altima | 69 | 2 |
| 2022 Altima (this page) | 20 | 0 |
| 2023 Altima | 29 | 0 |
| 2024 Altima | 40 | 1 |
| 2025 Altima | 6 | 1 |
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2022 Nissan Altima 4DR AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2022 Nissan Altima? Check these first
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.
What to inspect on this specific car
- brakes — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 55,000 mi · ~$450 to fix
- airbags — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 5,600 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- electrical — 3 owner reports · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 55,000 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is airbags (~$1,100) — 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 →Ask anything about your 2022 Nissan Altima
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.
Top trouble spots 3 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I got into 2 accidents with my 2022 Nissan Altima (October 12 & 13). on Oct.12 I backed into a parked vehicle in a parking lot.I did drive the car home. The next day after getting an estimate at a local auto body shop I drove home and my car would not stop in my driveway and I…
The issues began in June 2022. Since then the automatic emergency brake has stopped my car 6 times on the highway. I was scared to death. Transmission will not go into drive all of the time. This vehicle is dangerous. Has been in for repairs 3 times and out of service for over…
On 6/5/2024 I purchased a vehicle from lithia Dodge in Twin Falls Idaho. On July 6th 2024 my wife and I we're driving through Walmart parking lot and the car just up and died. I called the car dealership to try and get a hold of the salesman that sold it to me or the finance…
I was driving along I55 at 65-70 mph when my car had multiple lights come on the dash w d started ringing. My car then shot left into the median wall. It spun at least twice hitting the wall and stopping facing southbound in the northbound lanes. The vehicle is currently at the…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
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 →
Common questions
Is the 2022 Nissan Altima reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2022 Nissan Altima is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2022 Nissan Altima?
On the NHTSA data, the 2022 Nissan Altima does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2022 Nissan Altima?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 4 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 55,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 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.
Is the 2022 Nissan Altima a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 20 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 55,000 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.
What's the most common problem on the 2022 Nissan Altima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 4 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 55,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 55,000 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Altima has open recalls?
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.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2022 Nissan Altima?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 20 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, 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.