2019–2025 L34 (6th generation)
2019–2025 Nissan Altima Common Problems and Years to Avoid
5 documented problems with the 2019–2025 Nissan Altima, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 1 of them are serious. 5 carry a recall or TSB number.
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2019–2025 Nissan Altima recalls and service bulletins
| Recall / TSB | Issue | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA 25V-437 | VC-Turbo engine bearing failure (recall) | major |
| Multiple judder/reprogram TSBs | CVT shudder, hesitation and early failures (much improved, not gone) | moderate |
| NHTSA 19V-654 and 23V-628 | Rearview camera image lost or distorted (recalls) | moderate |
| NHTSA 18V-922 and 19V-316 | Fuel pump / fuel tube leak recalls (early cars) | moderate |
| NHTSA 19V-235 | Brake lights stay on / shifter moves without brake pressed (recall) | minor |
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. Check your VIN against the NHTSA database to see what is still outstanding on your specific vehicle, a recall listed here may already have been performed.
VC-Turbo engine bearing failure (recall)
majorManufacturing defects in the 2.0L VC-Turbo's main/link bearings can shed metal debris, cause knocking, and progress to complete engine failure. In June 2025 Nissan recalled ~443,900 VC-Turbo vehicles including 2019–2020 Altimas: dealers inspect the oil pan for metal debris and, depending on findings, change the oil or repair/replace the engine free of charge. Listen for knock, and check the recall status by VIN before buying a used VC-Turbo car. The related NHTSA investigation (PE23-018/EA) began after owner reports of engine failures.
CVT shudder, hesitation and early failures (much improved, not gone)
moderateThe L34's Jatco CVT8 is far more reliable than the previous generation's, but NHTSA complaints and TSBs still document shudder on light throttle, hesitation from a stop, and occasional failures, mostly on early 2019–2020 cars. Nissan's fixes are TCM reprogramming and, when judder persists, valve body or unit replacement. No warranty extension exists for this generation (standard 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage), so fluid services matter.
Rearview camera image lost or distorted (recalls)
moderateTwo campaigns: display settings could be adjusted so the backup image no longer appears (19V-654, software fix), and a chafing camera harness can distort or kill the rear view image entirely (23V-628, 2019–2021 cars). Both are fixed free by dealers.
Fuel pump / fuel tube leak recalls (early cars)
moderateOn some 2019 builds, the low-pressure fuel tube's retainer clip at the high-pressure pump can unlock (18V-922), and the in-tank fuel pump lock ring may not be fully seated (19V-316), both can leak fuel and create a fire risk or stall. Dealers inspect and re-secure or replace the parts free.
Brake lights stay on / shifter moves without brake pressed (recall)
minorA mispositioned brake light switch bracket can leave the brake lights permanently lit and allow the shifter to move out of Park without the pedal pressed, risking rollaway. Dealers reposition or replace the stopper bracket free.
Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2019–2025 Nissan Altima. Not every vehicle will experience these issues.
Which Nissan Altima model years does this cover?
These problems and recalls specifications apply to every Nissan Altima built from 2019 through 2025 — the L34 (6th generation), mid-size sedan (fwd; awd available with 2.5l). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. Pick your year for the engines it offered, what changed that year, and the problems recorded against it.
What changed during the 2019–2025 Nissan Altima
- 2019Generation launch: PR25DD 2.5L with first-ever Altima AWD option, 2.0L VC-Turbo replaces the V6, ProPILOT Assist available, electronic parking brake standard
- 2020Platinum VC-Turbo's last year; Safety Shield 360 standard on more trims
- 2021VC-Turbo now SR-only
- 2022Carryover year: S/SV/SR/SR VC-Turbo/Platinum lineup and powertrains unchanged ahead of the 2023 facelift
- 2023Facelift: new grille and wheels, available 12.3-in touchscreen with wireless CarPlay, updated Intelligent Cruise
- 2024Carries over following the 2023 refresh; lineup unchanged (S, SV, SR, SR VC-Turbo, SL) ahead of the VC-Turbo's discontinuation for 2025
- 2025Final model year. VC-Turbo dropped, 2.5L only; SV Special Edition added. Nissan announced Altima production ends after 2025.
2019–2025 Nissan Altima problems and recalls: common questions
What are the most common problems with the 2019–2025 Nissan Altima?
- The recurring ones are: vc-turbo engine bearing failure (recall); cvt shudder, hesitation and early failures (much improved, not gone); rearview camera image lost or distorted (recalls); fuel pump / fuel tube leak recalls (early cars); brake lights stay on / shifter moves without brake pressed (recall). Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost.
Which 2019–2025 Nissan Altima years should you avoid?
- The years to be most careful with are those affected by vc-turbo engine bearing failure (recall) (2019–2020 (2.0L VC-Turbo)). A documented problem is not automatically a reason to walk away. Service records showing the repair was done change the picture entirely.
Are there recalls on the 2019–2025 Nissan Altima?
- 5 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: NHTSA 25V-437 (vc-turbo engine bearing failure (recall)), Multiple judder/reprogram TSBs (cvt shudder, hesitation and early failures (much improved, not gone)), NHTSA 19V-654 and 23V-628 (rearview camera image lost or distorted (recalls)), NHTSA 18V-922 and 19V-316 (fuel pump / fuel tube leak recalls (early cars)), NHTSA 19V-235 (brake lights stay on / shifter moves without brake pressed (recall)). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding.
How much do 2019–2025 Nissan Altima repairs typically cost?
- Typical figures for the issues above: vc-turbo engine bearing failure (recall), Free under recall; a VC-Turbo engine replacement out of scope runs well over $10,000; cvt shudder, hesitation and early failures (much improved, not gone), Free reflash under warranty; $3,800–$5,500 for a replacement CVT out of warranty; rearview camera image lost or distorted (recalls), Free under recall; fuel pump / fuel tube leak recalls (early cars), Free under recall.
Sources
- Nissan USA Newsroom, 2019 Altima specifications (oil capacities, weights, fuel tank)
- AMSOIL product lookup, 2019 Altima 2.5L PR25DD (0W-20, 5.4 qt, drain plug 22–29 ft-lbs)
- NHTSA recall 25V-437, VC-Turbo engine bearings
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle, 2019 Nissan Altima (18V-922, 19V-235, 19V-316, 19V-654, 23V-628)
- Nissan parts, 16546-6CA0A engine air filter fitment (2019–2025 Altima)
- Nissan parts, 22401-6LD1C spark plug (2019–2025)
- TirePressure.org, 2019 Nissan Altima placard pressures
- fueleconomy.gov, 2019 Nissan Altima EPA ratings
- Cars.com, Nissan drops VC-Turbo from 2025 Altima
- Goodyear tire lookup, 2019 Altima OE sizes by trim