MODEL
Nissan Altima
NHTSA safety across every Nissan Altima model year we cover.
Across the 8 model years of the Nissan Altima we cover (2019 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2026 at 95 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2019 at 76. 17 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Nissan Altima is a midsize family sedan competing in one of the most hotly contested segments in the American market. Targeting value-conscious buyers who want a practical, comfortable commuter with room for five, the Altima has been a perennial volume seller for Nissan. Our coverage spans the 2019 through 2025 model years, a period that includes a full-generation refresh and meaningful year-over-year shifts in the safety picture.
The Nissan Altima presents a genuinely mixed safety portrait across the 2019 to 2025 model years, and shoppers deserve the full picture before signing anything. The headline number is encouraging: the 2025 model earns a 93 out of 100 on the MotorCaliber Safety Index, landing in our Exceptional band. That is the high-water mark for this generation, and it reflects real progress. Crash-test performance at its best shows a 4-out-of-5-star frontal rating, which is solid but not class-leading, paired with an impressive 5-out-of-5 on both side impact and rollover protection. The rollover score matters because the Altima rides low and handles the physics of that test well. The concern is in the volume data. Across the covered years, NHTSA has logged 17 recalls, a figure that sits above average for a mainstream midsize sedan. Owner complaints total 549, including 60 alleged crashes, 43 reported injuries, and 1 reported death. These are unverified allegations, not confirmed fault determinations, but the sheer volume warrants attention. Fire-related complaints number 15, which any prudent buyer should flag when researching specific model years. The honest bottom line: the 2025 Altima earns its Exceptional rating and represents the safest expression of this generation. Buyers considering earlier model years should research open recalls diligently and weigh the complaint trends before committing.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally position the Altima as a competent, comfortable choice in the midsize sedan segment, praising its composed ride and available all-wheel drive as practical differentiators. Most acknowledge it trails segment leaders in a few dynamic areas but consider it a reasonable, well-rounded option for buyers prioritizing everyday usability over outright performance.
- The 2025 Altima earns the highest Safety Index score in our covered range at 93 out of 100, placing it in the Exceptional band, so if safety is the priority, newer model years are meaningfully better than earlier ones in this generation.
- Frontal crash protection is rated 4 out of 5 stars at best, which is respectable but not the top mark in the segment. Buyers who prioritize frontal impact performance should compare this directly against class competitors before deciding.
- Seventeen recalls across the 2019 to 2025 model years is an above-average figure for this segment. Before purchasing any specific model year, check NHTSA's recall database to confirm all open recalls on that vehicle have been completed by a dealer.
- Owner complaints include 15 fire-related allegations and 60 alleged crashes across the covered years. These are unverified claims, not confirmed defects, but the pattern is worth investigating by model year, particularly for buyers considering pre-2023 examples.
Most-recalled year on record: 2019 Nissan Altima with 7 recalls.