Avoid These 5 Most Alarming Nissan Altima Years At All Costs

The Nissan Maxima is probably superior to the Nissan Altima, especially regarding models.

When it comes to powering mid-sized cars, the Nissan Altima has always been in the middle of the bunch. It is much more imposing than the Nissan Sentra but does not reach the heights of the Nissan Maxima.

The Nissan Altima has had many bad models over the years, hurting its reputation. However, it should also be known that there have been plenty of good models. Seeing this dilemma, I have opted to discuss the best years for Nissan Altima. Let’s find out them below:

The Nissan Altima may have given you some bad impressions of the model above, but the fact remains that there have been plenty of good models as well. I will talk about, what I think, are the best models for the Nissan Altima in this section of the article.

 2018 Nissan Altima

Seeing the success of the Nissan Maxima, it was only a matter of time before the Nissan Altima would try and emulate its success. In 2018, it would do so by putting out the 2018 Nissan Altima, which had Nissan Maxima-like styling. Many fans of both lineups appreciated this.

The looks of the 2018 Nissan Altima model year were not just good on the outside, as the inside was brimming with quality. The roominess of the interior only enhanced this. Its general lack of issues made the 2018 Altima stand out. The steering felt amazing, and the car was absolutely enjoyable to ride in with little to no noise from the outside.

This year, five different trims were introduced to the market, each with its own features. Automatic emergency braking was made standard, and the car was available with 4- and 6-cylinder engines.

2021 Nissan Altima

Fast forward a few years, and you get the 2021 Nissan Altima, which is already shaping up to be a classic. While I generally do not place newer models so high up in these lists, I just had to make an exception for the 2021 Nissan Altima.

Not only does the 2021 model year make up for past mistakes by having a spectacular CVT operation, but it also comes with great fuel efficiency and innovative tech inside. This year brought six trims into the mix. This time around, you could only choose between two four-cylinder engines.

Despite this and no significant changes over the 2020 model, the 2021 Nissan Altima was able to rid itself of the issues of the previous model.

2004 Nissan Altima

A widely appreciated older model, the 2004 Nissan Altima came in four different trims. While the base trim lacked power, it offered a V6 engine overflowing with performance. Coming in with high stability and great riding comfort, the 2004 Nissan Altima had very few downsides. This was enough for me to place it in third place on this list.

Since the Nissan Altima transitioned to a new platform, there have been minor enhancements to the lineup, and the same can be said for the 2004 model year. It deserves to be on this list because, despite its lack of innovation, it can provide a quality experience to its owners.

2020 Nissan Altima

The success of the 2021 Nissan Altima could not have been possible without creating the 2020 model. Available in seven different trims, the 2020 model year gave its audience a lot of choices.

Many changes that would later transition into the 2020 model were first implemented in the 2020 Nissan Altima. These great features, which allowed for improvement, made the 2020 Nissan Altima model a good fit for 4th place on this list. It is not ranked higher because there were a few issues that the year brought to its models.

1999 Nissan Altima

An even older model, the 1999 Nissan Altima, was released with four different trims and the same engine. While it did have its shortcomings, it was still able to provide a powerful and swift vehicle, as was seen by its stellar riding quality.

While it did not pack a lot of power, it was still quite respectable and great for a mid-sized vehicle of its nature. The 1999 Nissan Altima does not have much going for it regarding features, which may be a good thing if you are into more old-school and vintage cars.

Overall, this year is great for people who just want a nice riding experience in an all-around great vehicle.

3 Most Common Nissan Altima Problems You Should Know

If you have finally decided to buy a Nissan Altima, then I think I should mention some of the most common problems here. You can find them below.

•  CVT/Transmission Problems

Throughout the years, there have been many different models of the Nissan Altima, but many of them have had issues with their transmission. The 2009 transmission was especially bad because it created a major transmission issue that would last the next few years.

This would eventually cause the transmission to fail, resulting in owners having to change their transmission entirely, which was not a cheap thing to do.

• Engine Problem

Most cars have some engine issues, but many of the worst models of the Nissan Altima also have this on top of various other problems. Excessive oil consumption is a good way to gauge that your Nissan Altima’s engine may not last long.

Many engines with this issue eventually had to be replaced due to them failing entirely, causing the catalytic converter to do so.

• Steering Wheel Lock Failure

This issue was quite annoying in many Nissan Altima models simply because you could not even start your vehicle. The issue was mainly in the car’s electronics, which caused the steering wheel lock to stay engaged. This prevented users from being able to start their cars.

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The fix for this issue was also quite expensive, easily going over $1,000, so if you do not have a warranty, which quite certainly you do not, you should prepare for a hefty replacement cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The Nissan Altima has faced a lot of criticism over the years, and rightfully so. While it has done everything to become a great lineup, it still has a ways to go before it can reclaim the respect of its fans.

At the rate that it is going, however, it should be certain that it will reach a good position fairly soon. If you want to buy a model from this lineup in the near future, then you need to know the best and worst years for the Nissan Altima.

That way, you will be able to make an informed choice and one that will get your money’s worth.