About the Nissan Altima
Rental car companies purchase Altimas in such volume that undisclosed fleet histories dominate the used market for this midsize sedan. CVT transmission replacements—a documented weak point—frequently go unreported, and rebuilt titles from front-end collisions appear at rates reflecting the model's sheer market prevalence.
A VIN number lookup on this Nissan Altima includes real high-resolution auction photos sourced directly from Copart and IAAI, the largest salvage auction operators in the United States.
Nissan Altima Model Generations
What a Nissan Altima VIN Check Reveals
A VIN number check on any Nissan Altima pulls records from state DMV offices, NHTSA databases, insurance industry filings, and salvage auction records across all 50 states. The report covers the following data categories:
- Accident and collision history
- Full odometer timeline
- Open safety recalls from NHTSA
- Title brands (salvage, flood, lemon law, total loss)
- Theft and recovery records
- Lien and ownership history
- Structural and frame damage
- Airbag deployment records
- State inspection history
- Prior vehicle use (fleet, rental, taxi, auction)
Nissan Altima VIN Number Location
Where to find the VIN on a Altima
Altima is one of the most odometer-fraud-flagged vehicles in used car VIN databases. The primary plate sits at the base of the driver's side windshield, with a door jamb sticker and a trunk lid label near the latch as secondaries. A VIN check will surface the odometer history filed with every state DMV that recorded the car, essential for detecting rollback on any Altima offered below market price.
The VIN also appears on the vehicle registration, insurance documents, and title. All locations should match. A mismatch between VIN plates is a potential indicator of a rebuilt or salvage vehicle.
Common Issues Found in VIN Reports for the Nissan Altima
VIN history reports on used Nissan Altima vehicles frequently show accident and collision claims, title discrepancies, and odometer irregularities. Any open NHTSA recall notices tied to the specific VIN will appear in the report, along with the recall completion status where that data is available.
Nissan vehicles carrying a VIN prefix of 1N4, 3N1, JN1, JN8, 5N1 are traceable through all 50 state DMV systems and the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). Coverage for vehicles registered after 1990 is generally comprehensive.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
Nissan Altima — last 3 model years
What Altima owners report across recent generations
2019–present (6th generation)
The 2019 model year draws most of the complaints for this generation, and the recurring theme is automatic emergency braking that activates with nothing in the way. CarComplaints ranks that false braking first for 2019, ahead of cracked windshields and CVT malfunctions. Recalls on early cars cover the fuel pump and a fuel tube (2019), a brake switch bracket, a rearview camera harness (2019–2021) and tie rod fasteners (2020–2021). A 2025 recall for 2019–2020 cars with the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine addresses bearing defects that can cause engine failure. Later model years draw far fewer complaints. [1] [2]
2013–2018 (5th generation)
The CVT dominates complaints about this generation. CarComplaints names 2013 the worst Altima year, led by CVT shudder and hesitation, and lists transmission failure among 2014 complaints. A 2015 owner on Reddit describes a shudder at about 1,700 to 1,800 rpm near 45,000 miles, and a 2013 2.5 SV owner on NissanForums reports high revs, stalling at stops and a stored CVT judder code. NHTSA complaints for the 2015 repeat the theme. Recall 20V315 covers 2013–2018 cars whose secondary hood latch can corrode and stay unlatched, so the hood could open while driving. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
2007–2012 (4th generation)
On this generation the loudest owner complaint is not the transmission but the electronic steering column lock. NHTSA complaints for the 2009 are dominated by steering, and many describe the steering lock or key system keeping the car from starting. CarComplaints explains that 2009–2010 cars can suddenly refuse to start because that steering column lock fails. CVT complaints exist but are far fewer. A recall for 2009–2010 Altimas covered upper front strut insulators that could crack and let the strut rod come out of its mounting position. [8] [9]
What to check before buying
Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup to confirm every campaign is closed, including the VC-Turbo engine recall on 2019–2020 cars and the hood latch recall on 2013–2018 cars. On 2013–2018 cars, ask for CVT fluid service or transmission replacement records and feel for shudder or flaring revs under light throttle. On 2019 and later cars, watch for false emergency braking alerts. On 2009–2010 cars, start the engine several times and ask whether the steering lock was replaced.
- NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2019 Nissan Altima
- CarComplaints.com, 2019 Nissan Altima problems
- NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2015 Nissan Altima
- NHTSA recall 20V-315, 2013–2018 Nissan Altima secondary hood latch
- r/Nissan thread, 2015 Altima shudder at 45,000 miles
- NissanForums thread, 2013 Altima 2.5 SV with code P17F0
- CarComplaints.com, Nissan Altima problems by year
- NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2009 Nissan Altima
- CarComplaints.com, 2009 Nissan Altima problems
Updated September 25, 2026 · Summarized in our own words by VinNumber.net from public owner reports; individual experiences vary.