2001 Nissan Altima Reliability Score: 8.5 out of 10

158 NHTSA Complaints

2 Recalls

2 Fire Reports

22 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

8.5 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar midsize sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 69 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 139.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall69 complaints against about 139 for similar vehicles

8.5

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced2 complaints against about 30 for similar vehicles

9.8

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

KA24

2.4L 4-cyl

107 complaints 107.0 per year Gasoline

1 fire report 3 fatalities

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

cooling

other

suspension

electrical

Same engine used in

NISSAN Altima (2002-2006)

Nissan Altima Unidentified Engine

49 complaints 49.0 per year

1 fire report 1 fatality

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

cooling

electrical

suspension

safety systems

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

QR25DE

2.5L 4-cyl

2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

fuel system

cooling

Same engine used in

NISSAN Sentra (2013-2019)NISSAN Altima (2013-2018)NISSAN Sentra (2000-2006)NISSAN Altima (2007-2012)NISSAN Altima (2002-2006)

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Nissan Altima, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 66 owner complaints

Cooling System: 59 owner complaints

Suspension: 19 owner complaints

Electrical System: 19 owner complaints

Safety Systems: 15 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2001 Nissan Altima

On a used 2001 Nissan Altima, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (66), the cooling system (59) and the suspension (19). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 66 owner complaints on the 2001 Nissan Altima about the engine.
With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 59 owner complaints on the 2001 Nissan Altima about the cooling system.
Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on the 2001 Nissan Altima about the suspension.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 19 owner complaints on the 2001 Nissan Altima about the electrical system.
Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on the 2001 Nissan Altima about the airbags and driver-assist systems.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2001 Nissan Altima

Recalls (2)

07E074000Sep 14, 2007serious

Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. DS517-B001L AND DS517-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OPTICEL SURFACE OF THE REFLECTOR IS CORRODED INHIBITING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UPPER AND LOWER BEAMS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

01V065000Feb 23, 2001cosmetic

Tires

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA-02 , SIZE P205/55R16 89H TIRES. THE RECALLED TIRES ARE IDENTIFIED BY DOT SERIAL #W2 T2 VF3 XXX OR W2 T2 VF3 XXXX; WHERE XXX MAY BE 289, 299, 309, 319, 329, 339, 349, 359, 369, 379, 389, 399, 409, 419, 429, 439, 449, 459, 469, 479, 489, 499, 509, 519, 529, 010, 020, 030, 040, 050, 060, 070, 080, 090, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 170, AND WHERE XXXX MAY BE 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900, 3000, 3100, 3200, 3300, 3400, 3500, 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900, 4000, 4100, 4200, 4300, 4400, AND 4500. WITH INCREASING MILEAGE, THE TIRES MAY DEVELOP SHOULDER AREA CRACKING. CONTINUED USE OF A TIRE WITH THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO EXPOSURE OF THE BELT EDGE.

All Generations

20002000 20012001 L312002-2006 L322007-2012 L332013-2018 L342019-2024

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Lexus

2013-2018

9.8/10

3 engines / 209 complaints

4 engines / 35 complaints

3 engines / 178 complaints

Lexus

2019-2025

9.6/10

4 engines / 135 complaints

Lexus

2012-2020

9.6/10

5 engines / 99 complaints

2 engines / 134 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2001-2001 Nissan Altima complaints?

Owners have filed 158 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001-2001 Nissan Altima. The systems they name most often are the engine, the cooling system and the suspension.

Is the 2001-2001 Nissan Altima a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 158 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001-2001 Nissan Altima. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001-2001 Nissan Altima have?

NHTSA has 158 owner complaints on file for the 2001-2001 Nissan Altima as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2001-2001 Nissan Altima?

NHTSA lists 2 recalls covering some 2001-2001 Nissan Altima vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Nissan Altima?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the cooling system and the suspension, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Altima have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2001 Nissan Altima. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 158 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.