2023 Nissan Altima problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 29 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2023 Nissan Altima has 29 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 10 complaints (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Altima | 175 | 2 |
| 2021 Altima | 69 | 2 |
| 2022 Altima | 20 | 0 |
| 2023 Altima (this page) | 29 | 0 |
| 2024 Altima | 40 | 1 |
| 2025 Altima | 6 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.4/10 — 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: 2023 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.
Buying a used 2023 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
- electrical — 10 owner reports · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 4 owner reports · ~$3,100 to fix
- brakes — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 65,200 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model . 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: 8.4/10 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 →Ask anything about your 2023 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 purchased my certified-preowned 2023 Nissan Altima on 12/9/2023 at 800+ miles. I did test drive it before my purchase, however I did not notice the defect in the driver and passenger side windows until my 45 minute drive home. The windows are defective and distorted my…
My mechanic noticed oil leaking near the oil pressure switch during a routine oil change. Told me to take it to dealership since I should still be under warranty. When I took it in, they very quickly were able to access that the oil pressure switch was faulty. Mechanic said it…
My car shuts off going down the road happens randomly it happened in July of 2024 and in November 2024 no warning lights came on it just shuts off I have not had my car looked at yet but I do plan on taking it to a dealer
My car has 33,214 miles on it. For no reason the alternator DIED ON IT. There was no warning on the dash of the vehicle. So the computer inside the vehicle did not give a warning that the electrical system for the alternator had died or that the battery had died. There’s no…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2023 Nissan Altima reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 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 2023 Nissan Altima?
On the NHTSA data, the 2023 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 8.4/10 — 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 2023 Nissan Altima?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 10 owner complaints filed. 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.
Is the 2023 Nissan Altima a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 29 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. 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 2023 Nissan Altima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 10 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. 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 2023 Nissan Altima?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 29 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.