Nissan

Altima (2001)

2001 · Midsize Sedan ยท 2 engines
Best Engine โŒ Avoid (1.5)
162 NHTSA Complaints
2 Recalls
2 Fire Reports
22 Crash Reports
View all 6 generations of the Nissan Altima → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

Nissan Altima Unidentified Engine

โŒ Avoid (1.5)
52 complaints 52.0 per year
1 fire report 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
21
cooling
19
electrical
7
other
6
suspension
5

Known Issues

Engine Issues (21 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (19 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (7 complaints)

KA24

2.4L 4-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.1)
108 complaints 108.0 per year Gasoline
1 fire report 3 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
43
cooling
38
other
17
suspension
14
electrical
13

Known Issues

Engine Issues (43 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (38 complaints)
Suspension Issues (14 complaints)

Same engine used in

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

QR25DE

2.5L 4-cyl
โœ… Recommended (4.7)
2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
2
fuel system
2
cooling
2

Known Issues

Engine Issues (2 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (2 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (2 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Nissan Altima regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (66 complaints)
engine critical
Cooling System Issues (59 complaints)
cooling critical
Electrical System Issues (20 complaints)
electrical critical
Suspension Issues (14 complaints)
suspension critical
Safety Systems Issues (10 complaints)
safety_systems critical

Recalls (2)

07E074000Sep 13, 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 22, 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.

Alternatives in Midsize Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The 2001-2001 Nissan Altima has accumulated 162 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Cooling System, Electrical System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Nissan Altima engine is most reliable?

The 2001-2001 Nissan Altima was offered with 3 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.4L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

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

The 2001-2001 Nissan Altima can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 162 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

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

The 2001-2001 Nissan Altima has 162 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2001-2001 Nissan Altima?

There are 2 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2001-2001 Nissan Altima vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Nissan Altima?

Before buying a used Nissan Altima, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Cooling System, Electrical System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or 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. 162 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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