Is a used Nissan Altima a good deal?
Short answer: A used Nissan Altima can be a good deal when the price is in line with local comparable listings, open recalls are fixed and the out-the-door quote has no padded fees. It loses value faster than average: iSeeCars measures 44.8% five-year depreciation vs 41.7% for all vehicles, which makes a used one a relatively better deal than new. The biggest money leaks we see are dealer add-ons and fees, not the sticker price.
Looking at a used Nissan Altima? Check its VIN free for recalls and complaints, then scan the dealer quote free for junk fees. Want an expert? Check My Deal for $19 (money-back guarantee).
Depreciation and value retention
| Age | Depreciation | Value kept | Typical resale value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 26.8% | 73.2% | $20,188 |
| 5 years | 44.8% | 55.2% | $15,211 |
| 7 years | 55.4% | 44.6% | $12,300 |
| 10 years | 68.6% | 31.4% | $8,673 |
Its class (midsize sedan) averages 40.6% after five years; all vehicles average 41.7%. Source: iSeeCars, Nissan Altima resale value.
Recalls and complaints by model year
| Model year | NHTSA recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 7 | 232 | Electrical System (58), Engine (48), Forward Collision Avoidance (41) |
| 2020 | 6 | 179 | Electrical System (45), Engine (36), Forward Collision Avoidance (29) |
| 2021 | 2 | 70 | Forward Collision Avoidance (22), Service Brakes (21), Electrical System (21) |
| 2022 | 0 | 20 | Forward Collision Avoidance (7), Electrical System (5), Engine (5) |
| 2023 | 0 | 29 | Electrical System (10), Engine (6), Service Brakes (4) |
Source: NHTSA recalls and complaints APIs, pulled 2026-10-07. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Example recall campaigns
- 21V169000 (Tires): Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too …
- 19V316000 (Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump): Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Altima vehicles equipped with front wheel drive (FWD) and 2.5 liter engines. The fuel pump lock ring may not be fully engaged, possibly causing fuel to leak.…
- 18V922000 (Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump): Nissan North America, Inc (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Altima vehicles. The retainer clip connecting the low pressure fuel tube to the high pressure fuel pump may not have been locked into position.…
- 19V235000 (Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch): Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Nissan Altima vehicles. The brake switch bracket may be in the incorrect location, which may cause the brake switch to remain on.…
- 19V654000 (Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera): Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Vers…
Fuel cost
The EPA estimates $2,100–$2,300 per year in fuel for 2022 Nissan Altima versions (29–32 MPG combined across 6 configurations). Source: fueleconomy.gov (EPA/DOE).
Dealer add-ons to watch for
- Paint and fabric protection or ceramic coating packages
- VIN etching and "anti-theft" packages
- Nitrogen-filled tires
- Dealer prep, reconditioning or "certification" fees on top of the advertised price
- Market adjustment or "additional dealer markup" stickers
- In the finance office: extended warranties, GAP, tire-and-wheel and key-replacement plans. All optional; get prices in writing
What to check before you buy
- Run the VIN through our free VIN check or NHTSA and confirm open recalls were repaired.
- Owners report problems most often with: Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance, Engine. Ask for service records covering these and have a mechanic look at them.
- Get a vehicle history report and a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic.
- Compare the price against local listings of the same year, trim and mileage. Dealers price models like this with more room to negotiate.
- Read the FTC Buyers Guide on the window: it says whether the car is sold as-is or with a warranty (FTC).
- Ask for the full out-the-door price in writing before you visit.
FAQ
Is a used Nissan Altima a good deal?
A used Nissan Altima can be a good deal when the price is in line with local comparable listings, open recalls are fixed and the out-the-door quote has no padded fees. It loses value faster than average: iSeeCars measures 44.8% five-year depreciation vs 41.7% for all vehicles, which makes a used one a relatively better deal than new. The biggest money leaks we see are dealer add-ons and fees, not the sticker price.
How much does a Nissan Altima depreciate?
iSeeCars estimates a Nissan Altima loses 44.8% of its value after five years (26.8% after three years, 68.6% after ten).
Does the Nissan Altima have recalls?
NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns across the 2019–2023 model years combined (counted per year, so a campaign covering several years counts in each). Check any specific car by VIN: an open recall should be fixed free by a franchised dealer before you buy.
Which Nissan Altima year has the most complaints?
Among 2019–2023, the 2019 has the most NHTSA owner complaints (232). Complaint counts also grow with sales volume and time on the road, so compare years, not models.
How much does a Nissan Altima cost to fuel per year?
The EPA estimates $2,100–$2,300 a year in fuel for 2022 versions, based on its standard mileage and price assumptions.
What dealer add-ons should I refuse on a used Nissan Altima?
Common ones are paint/fabric protection, VIN etching, nitrogen tires, dealer prep fees and market adjustments. They are optional; ask for them to be removed or get an itemized out-the-door price.
Looking at a used Nissan Altima? Check its VIN free for recalls and complaints, then scan the dealer quote free for junk fees. Want an expert? Check My Deal for $19 (money-back guarantee).
Data as published by each source; pulled 2026-10-07. All used car models