Best Years to Buy a Used Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima is a popular used car choice, but certain model years have documented issues worth knowing about — including cvt transmission failure. Here's a breakdown of the best and worst years to buy.
Known Issues — Nissan Altima
- 2013–2018: CVT transmission failure — shudder, hesitation, failure under 100k miles [High severity]
- 2013–2015: Control arm bolt loosening — suspension noise and recall [High severity]
- 2002–2006: Timing chain stretch on 2.5L QR25 engine — rattle at startup [High severity]
Best Years to Buy
Based on documented issues, the cleanest years for the Nissan Altima are: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026. These model years avoid the most common documented failure points and represent the best value for used buyers.
Years to Avoid
Exercise extra caution with model years 2005, 2006, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 due to documented high-severity issues. If buying one of these years, have a pre-purchase inspection done and verify any known repairs have been completed.
- 2013–2018: CVT transmission failure
- 2013–2015: Control arm bolt loosening
- 2002–2006: Timing chain stretch on 2.5L QR25 engine
What to Inspect Before Buying
- Run a VIN report (Carfax or AutoCheck) to check for accidents, title issues, and odometer rollbacks
- Ask specifically about CVT transmission failure — verify it has been addressed
- Verify all open recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls using the VIN
- Have an independent mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection ($100–$200)
- Ask for service records — consistent maintenance history is the best reliability indicator
Check Repair Costs Before You Buy
See repair cost estimates, known issues, and a pre-purchase inspection checklist for any by model year.
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