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2021 Nissan

Altima

Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L

Nissan Altima: best and worst years
2021 Nissan Altima

Closest available photo (2023 model year); you're viewing the 2021.

2023 photoUser3204CC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Midsize CarsEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Transmission
Automatic (variable gear ratios)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Powertrain
GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Fuel
RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Engine & performance

HP
188
Power to weight
0.055 hp/lb
Axle ratio
4.83
Cyl
4EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Start-stop system
NoEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Efficiency

MPG Hwy
39 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
MPG City
28 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
MPG Comb
32 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Fuel $/yr
$1,950EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
CO₂
281 g/miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Eco Score
7/10EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Smog score
7/10
Elec. Range
0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
SmartWay certified
Yes

Dimensions & capacity

Length
193 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Width
73 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Height
57 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Wheelbase
111 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Curb Weight
3,406 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Pass. Vol
101 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Cargo Vol
15 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Safety NHTSA, model year

Overall crash rating
★★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
Standard
Lane-departure warning
Standard
Recalls
2
Owner complaints
61
Reported injuries
2

Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE21%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18%
  • SERVICE BRAKES16%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER10%
  • STEERING6%
  • BACK OVER PREVENTION4%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 100 total.

Nissan Altima: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • PE23023opened Dec 13, 2023ENGINE

    Complete loss of motive power due to engine failure

  • AQ22003Openopened Dec 16, 2022LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

    Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

108 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • Apr 13, 2026STRUCTURE:BODYNTB09-131C

    CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is a

  • Mar 30, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNTB15-049CC

    TELEMATICS SERVICE INFORMATION HINT: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a 4G network compatible TCU. TCUs compatible with 3G network only are no longer supported. SERVICE INFORMATION The APPLIED VEHICLES that come equipped with a factory installed SOS switch, located near the overhead map lamp, also come equipped with a wireless communication device called a Telematics Communication Unit (TCU). With an active NissanConnect® Services subscription, the TCU communicates with the Nissan

  • Feb 20, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNTB19-042F

    AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING APPLIED SYSTEMS: Vehicles equipped with a lane camera (see Figure 1) SERVICE INFORMATION If the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) warning light or is blinking (but not illuminated steadily) or the customer states it is blinking, and there are no related DTCs, inspect the windshield. A blinking AEB warning light may occur under the following conditions:  When contamination or foreign material adhere to the lane camera viewing window on the winds

  • Feb 20, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNTB19-033G

    INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION MESSAGE DISPLAYED WITH DTC C1A16 OR C2582 IF YOU CONFIRM IMPORTANT: The purpose of ACTION (on the next page) is to give you a quick idea of the work you will be performing. You MUST closely follow the entire SERVICE PROCEDURE as it contains information that is essential to successfully completing this repair. Nissan Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified t

  • Sep 19, 2024AIR BAGSNTB19-071D

    DTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin. IF YOU CONFIRM DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR UNIT) is stored, AND OCS zero point reset cannot be performed, (continued on the next page)

  • Jul 11, 2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNTB21-115B

    FALSE ACTIVATION OF AEB OR FCW APPLIED VEHICLES: 2021-2022 Altima (L34) 2022-2023 Frontier (D41) 2020-2022 Sentra (B18) APPLIED DATES: Altima: All Frontier: All Sentra: Built on or before March 10, 2022 APPLIED SYSTEMS: Automatic Emergency Braking/Forward Collision Warning IF YOU CONFIRM The customer states they have experienced false activation and/or unexpected braking of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) or Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system, AND There are no related DTCs stored. ACTI

  • May 21, 2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNTB13-107G

    VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

  • May 21, 2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNTB13-027D

    CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

  • and 100 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
3 yr / 36k mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60k mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36k mi
EV battery
8 yr / 100k mi

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.