Used Nissan Altima Buyer's Guide (2019–2024)
Every one has a CVT. Check the VC-Turbo engine bearing recall on 2019 and 2020 cars, emergency braking behavior and a long list of early recalls.
Photo: SsmIntrigue, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. A representative example, not a car we inspected.
The sixth generation Nissan Altima is a midsize sedan with a lot of standard safety gear and, for the first time on an Altima, available all wheel drive. It sold in big numbers, and many ended up in rental and fleet use, so there are plenty to choose from.
Every Altima in this generation uses a CVT. Most have the 2.5L four cylinder, which was the only engine offered with all wheel drive. The 2.0L VC-Turbo, a variable compression turbo engine, was a front wheel drive option through 2024 and was dropped for 2025.
The main things to check are the VC-Turbo engine bearing recall on 2019 and 2020 cars, how the automatic emergency braking behaves on the road, and a long list of early recalls for the fuel system, tires, steering and rear camera. The 2019 and 2020 cars carry most of them.
- 2.5L 4-cyl
- 2.0L VC-Turbo 4-cyl
Sixth generation, sold as model years 2019–2024.
| Engine | Years | Transmission | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 2019–2024 | CVT (Xtronic) | The standard engine on every trim, rated at 188 horsepower. It is the only engine offered with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. |
| 2.0L VC-Turbo 4-cyl | 2019–2024 | CVT (Xtronic) | Front wheel drive only. Nissan rated it at 248 horsepower. Offered on the SR and Platinum at launch and only on the SR VC-Turbo by 2023. |
- S The base trim with the 2.5L.
- SV Adds ProPILOT Assist, Nissan's hands on driver assist, from 2019.
- SR Sporty trim. Offered with the 2.5L, AWD or the VC-Turbo.
- SL Comfort and luxury features, with the 2.5L.
- Platinum The 2019 top trim, with the 2.5L or the VC-Turbo.
- SR VC-Turbo By 2023 the only way to get the VC-Turbo, front wheel drive only.
- 2023 No recalls in NHTSA's data for this year, the 2023 refresh with a 12.3 inch screen on some trims, and 29 NHTSA owner complaints.
- 2022 Also no recalls in NHTSA's data, and only 20 NHTSA owner complaints.
- 2019 First year, with the most recalls, 231 NHTSA owner complaints, and the VC-Turbo bearing recall on some cars.
- 2020 The VC-Turbo bearing, tie rod, tire, rear glass and camera recalls, plus 179 NHTSA owner complaints.
- 2024 Check that the steering gear recall (23V-882) was done.
Picked from the recalls, bulletins and NHTSA complaint records below, not from a reliability rating. Any single car can be better or worse than its year.
Recall 25V-437 covers some 2019 and 2020 Altimas with the 2.0L VC-Turbo. Nissan says the engine bearings may have defects that can lead to engine failure, and NHTSA says a failed bearing can breach the block and cause an oil fire. Nissan's report lists 5,685 Altimas built from May 2018 to December 2019. Dealers check the oil pan for metal debris and repair or replace the engine as needed. Nissan also extended coverage on the VC-Turbo long block to 10 years or 120,000 miles.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for this recall and ask for the dealer record. We listen for knocking on a cold start and on the road test, and scan for engine codes.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 25V-437 · Nissan Part 573 report for recall 25V-437 (NHTSA) · NHTSA recall acknowledgement 25V-437 · CarComplaints: Nissan VC-Turbo engine warranty extension (Aug. 2025)
Nissan extended the CVT warranty on earlier Altimas (2013 to 2016, and 2017 to 2018) after class actions. Those bulletins do not list the 2019 and newer Altima, so a CVT problem on this generation is not covered by those extensions.
WE CHECK We road test for shudder, slipping, flare or whine from the CVT, scan for transmission codes, and read the service records for CVT fluid work.
SOURCE Nissan CVT warranty extension bulletin, 2013 to 2016 Altima (filed with NHTSA) · Nissan CVT warranty extension bulletin, 2017 to 2018 Altima (filed with NHTSA)
Owners have filed complaints with NHTSA about the automatic emergency braking stopping the car when nothing is ahead, and about front radar faults that turn off the braking and cruise systems. NHTSA's complaint file for the 2019 Altima lists 41 complaints coded to forward collision avoidance as of September 2026. There is no recall for this on the Altima.
WE CHECK We check for radar or driver assist warning lights, scan the system for codes, and use the cruise control and watch for false braking on the road test. We look for front end damage near the radar.
SOURCE NHTSA owner complaints, 2019 Nissan Altima · NHTSA owner complaints, 2020 Nissan Altima
Recall 23V-628 covers some 2019 to 2021 Altimas whose rearview camera harness can be damaged, so the image may be distorted or lost. Dealers replace or reroute the harness. An earlier recall (19V-654) updated camera settings software on 2019 cars.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for both recalls and test the backup camera image in Reverse.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 23V-628 · NHTSA recall 19V-654
Recall 21V-138 covers some 2020 and 2021 Altimas whose tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly. NHTSA says the joint can detach from the knuckle and cause a loss of steering control. Dealers tighten or replace the fasteners.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for this recall, look at the tie rod ends from under the car, and feel for play in the steering.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 21V-138
Recall 23V-882 covers some 2024 Altimas. The bolts that join the electric power steering unit to the steering rack may loosen, which can cause a loss of steering control or a steering lock up. Dealers replace the steering gear.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for this recall and ask for the dealer record. We feel for clunks or uneven assist on the road test.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 23V-882
Several recalls hit early 2019 cars. Recall 18V-922 fixes a fuel tube clip that may not be locked. Recall 19V-316 fixes a fuel pump lock ring that may not be fully engaged on some front wheel drive 2.5L cars, which can leak fuel. Recall 19V-235 fixes a brake switch bracket that can keep the brake lights on.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for all three, smell and look for fuel leaks, and confirm the brake lights go on and off with the pedal.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 18V-922 · NHTSA recall 19V-316 · NHTSA recall 19V-235 · NHTSA recall data, 2019 Nissan Altima
Recalls 20V-685 and 21V-169 cover some 2019 and 2020 Altimas that came with Continental tires that may have been cured too long in the factory. Dealers inspect the tires and replace them as needed.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for both recalls, and read the size, brand and date code on each tire. Most cars this age have had new tires.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 20V-685 · NHTSA recall 21V-169
Recall 20V-570 covers some 2020 Altimas whose rear window glass may not stay properly secured. Dealers replace the back glass.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for this recall and look at the rear glass seal and edges.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 20V-570
- Open recall check on the VIN
- Cold start and road test listening for engine knock on VC-Turbo cars
- CVT behavior from a stop, on hills and at highway speed
- Emergency braking, radar and driver assist warnings on the road test
- Steering play and tie rod ends from under the car
- Backup camera image and brake light function
- Tire brand, size and date codes
- Dealer records for each recall on the VIN, above all the VC-Turbo bearing inspection on 2019 and 2020 cars.
- Regular oil changes. On a VC-Turbo, missed oil changes are a real worry given the bearing recall.
- Any CVT fluid service, and any CVT repair or replacement.
- Any radar or camera work for the emergency braking system, and any front end repair.
- Rental or fleet use on the history report.
Each year has its own guide. The engines, the transmission, and what changed that year.
A TSB is a note the maker sends to dealers about a known fix. They are not recalls. We check the bulletins so we know what to look for:
Cold-start noise, drivability, and idle issues for this vehicle. We test for each.
Shift quality and transmission fluid updates. We drive every gear.
Locks, wipers, infotainment, and trim items. Small, but good to know.
Bulletins stay with the maker, so we pull the current list for this exact vehicle during the inspection and tell you what applies.
Found a Nissan Altima you like? A pre purchase inspection checks every trouble spot above on the car you are buying.
Does the 2019 to 2024 Altima have a CVT?
Is the Nissan CVT warranty extension for my 2019 Altima?
Which Altimas are in the VC-Turbo engine recall?
Which Altima has all wheel drive?
Why does my Altima brake by itself?
When was the VC-Turbo dropped?
How do I check an Altima for open recalls?
We'll check it first
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