Nissan Altima (5th Gen)
13-18 · Nissan Altima
The 5th gen Altima added good safety ratings but came with Nissan's CVT, a transmission with a documented pattern of juddering, overheating, and early failure that keeps this car off the recommended list unless prices are very low.
Score breakdown
Our take
What it really is
A spacious, fuel-efficient midsize sedan with a problematic CVT. The QR25DE engine itself is fine, but the Xtronic CVT paired with it is among the industry's worst for long-term durability. Nissan extended the CVT warranty to 10 years/120k miles on some models due to failure rates, that coverage has likely expired on most used examples.
Why it's on this list
Strong safety ratings and very low purchase prices. If you buy with low miles and a clean CVT history, the 5th gen can be a serviceable commuter, just know the CVT is the single make-or-break item.
The honest trade-offs
The CVT is the dealbreaker. Juddering at low speed and overheating in stop-and-go traffic are common complaints. CVT replacement is $3,500–$5,000. No manual available. The 3.5 V6 with a traditional automatic is more reliable but rare. RepairPal rates reliability 3.5/5.
What to buy and what to avoid
16-18 if buying at all, later models had marginally improved CVT calibration. Prioritize low mileage (under 60k). Get a CVT fluid service history. Test drive specifically in stop-and-go to feel for juddering. Budget $3,500 as a contingency for CVT replacement.
Annual cost of ownership
Key specs
Safety
Rust vulnerability
Reliability data
Repairability
References
Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.
- [1]datasetRepairPal
Annual repair cost, visit frequency, and severe issue probability. Used in the reliability formula.
- [2]governmentNHTSA Crash Test Ratings
Federal crash test star ratings and rollover percentages. Used in the safety formula.
- [3]governmentNHTSA Technical Service Bulletins
Manufacturer-issued service bulletins flagging known defects. Used in the PPI checklist generator.
- [4]datasetIIHS Safety Ratings
Insurance Institute crash test ratings (small overlap, side, headlight quality). Used in the safety formula and the repairability headlight benchmark.
- [5]governmentEPA Fuel Economy Guide
Official combined/city/highway MPG figures. Used in the true annual cost formula.
- [6]forum threadCarComplaints
Owner-reported defect patterns by mileage and year. Used in the known-issues list and PPI checklist.
- [7]datasetiSeeCars Long-Term Reliability
Probability of reaching 250,000 miles by make and model. Used in the reliability formula.
- [8]publicationBankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates
Full-coverage insurance estimates by driver profile (25M, 40F). Used in the true annual cost formula.
Looking to buy a Nissan Altima?
Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.
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CarPlay, backup cameras, blind spot monitoring, TPMS, and dashcams. Researched picks and honest watch-outs.
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