How the 2023 compares
Too new to judge fully
It has been on the road 3 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Altima year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the electrical system.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Altima years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Nissan Altima. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (11, 37% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the brakes and stability control. That is the fewest complaints of any Altima year from 2012 to 2024 on file. It has 0 recalls.
Complaints30filed with NHTSA
Recalls0for this model year
Crashes52 injuries reported
Fires1reported in complaints
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2023 Nissan Altima before you buy.
Electrical system
11 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
I purchased my car earlier this year. Paid in full. After having it for about 3 months I had to get a new battery. Now, about 2 months later I’m having to get a new alternator. A licensed car mechanic purchased the battery and put it on. The alternator, I went to the Nissan dealership and they told me it was the alternator. Never any…Owner complaint, filed 2026
backup camera fails consistently backup camera screen goes grey. it is dangerous because you cannot see behind or to the side when backing up. it has been to the dealer and they claim they cannot replicate the issue. the problem is more consistent now and it is out of the 36000 mile warranty. the camera system is now failing daily. no…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Engine and cooling
6 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was driving down the freeway at about 70 miles an hour. When a warning came up, saying engine malfunction power reduced, the car then started the shaking a bit and not getting any power. Smoke started pouring out of the hood. I then pulled over open the hood. It was then on fire(small).I put it out with some water. And then the car was…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The engine mounted high pressure fuel pump became loose and unseated because the engine-side mounting threads failed. The pump lifted off its mounting surface, the head of the engine, and oil came out around the top of the engine. This failure caused sudden loss of engine power and created a potential safety hazard because the vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
4 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
Reporting a severe hydraulic/mechanical braking defect on a 2023 Nissan Altima with only 26,820 miles. Vehicle experiences persistent 'spongy' brake pedal feel, premature metal-on-metal rotor gouging, and severely darkened/degraded brake fluid, indicating a systemic hydraulic component failure or electronic brake-dragging defect. This…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH on a snowy hill road, the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the ABS independently enabled, the vehicle jerked and veered off the road. The rear passenger side of the vehicle crashed into multiple trees. In addition, the vehicle crashed…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 65,200 miles
Driver assist systems
4 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
During a traffic incident on March 26 2026 I was the driver of the 2023 Nissan Altima SL and I suffered unnecessary bodily injury due to the AEB system. I was in a forward collision, the warning indicator did not go off, and the AEB may have went off after the crash unnecessarily causing major damage to my right shoulder tearing one…Owner complaint, filed 2026
A car slammed on brakes in front of me and I hit the brakes but my car still hit the other car messing it up pretty badly. No one was hurt but the car has stopped automatically before, it’s like the sensors couldn’t tell I vehicle had stopped or was even in front of me.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Seats and seat belts
2 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, there was a popping sound coming from the front driver’s seat, and the seat detached and became unhinged. A dealer was contacted. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the seat frame…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 70,000 miles
Right rear Seatbelt was not connected to car frame at bitter end. Bolt and seatbelt end were tucked behind seat cushion vice bolted and torqued to support bracket. Discovered upon first use of rear passenger seat.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Lights, wipers and visibility
2 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was riding down the highway when all of a sudden I hear loud bang, the rear windshield, completely shutters, spontaneously out of nowhere. This is a huge safety concern as I could have easily caused or been involved in an accident due to what occurred I have looked up on other forms where this has happened to other Nissan owners. This…Owner complaint, filed 2024
I purchased my certified-preowned 2023 Nissan Altima on 12/9/2023 at 800+ miles. I did test drive it before my purchase, however I did not notice the defect in the driver and passenger side windows until my 45 minute drive home. The windows are defective and distorted my vision causing eye strain and dizziness.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Transmission and drivetrain
1 complaintHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
While traveling at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly began slowing down. Pressing the accelerator caused the engine RPM to increase, but the vehicle would not accelerate. I was forced to pull onto the shoulder. After restarting the vehicle, it would no longer move in either forward or reverse and had to be towed.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Steering
1 complaintLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the windshield had cracked with no external cause. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was the windshield was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the vehicle ahead slowed down, slid and stopped side ways, approximately two feet in the…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 5,300 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
1 complaintHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owned a 2023 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly began to accelerate and seemed to steer on its own, prompting the contact to attempt to slow the vehicle. With the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop.…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Wheels and tires
1 complaintTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
P235 /40 R19 92V tires came with 2023 vehicle purchase. Two years following purchase, there are 2 large sidewall cracks at 32,000 miles for the front driver side tire even though the manufacturer mileage warranty is 70,000 miles. One out of four tires exhibiting this issue. Find this to be a huge safety concern as I was unaware of the…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Nissan Altima complaints by year
Compare the 2023 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2023 midsize cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Nissan Altima | Too new to judge | 0 |
| 2023 Toyota Camry | Too new to judge | 2 |
| 2023 Honda Accord | Too new to judge | 5 |
| 2023 Hyundai Sonata | Too new to judge | 2 |
2023 Nissan Altima recalls
NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
2023 Nissan Altima questions
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Nissan Altima?
The most reported problem areas on the 2023 Nissan Altima are the electrical system (11 complaints), the engine and cooling (6 complaints) and the brakes and stability control (4 complaints).
Is the 2023 Nissan Altima a good year to buy?
Too new to judge fully. It has been on the road 3 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Altima year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the electrical system. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Altima years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2023 Nissan Altima have?
NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2023 Nissan Altima.
Which Nissan Altima years should I avoid?
The Altima years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013, 2014 and 2015. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2018, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model