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VinCanary

Reliability report · 2019 Nissan Altima · Updated July 2026 · ~$1,950/yr fuel · what it costs to keep →

The redesign year — only buy one with the engine-bearing recall and the launch-year fixes documented.

2019 is the launch of the current Altima, and it carries a redesign-year stack: seven recalls, an engine cluster that dominates the complaint file (overheating, limp mode, 'Engine malfunction — power reduced'), and the first year of standard all-wheel drive. The headline is recall 25V437 — a VC-Turbo engine-bearing defect covering 2019–2020 Altimas, where a bearing failure can breach the block and risk a fire.

The redeeming feature is that nearly every known problem is a free fix: recall repairs don't expire. The cars to avoid are the ones where the engine-bearing reprogram, the two fuel-system recalls, and the brake-switch fix were never done — and where the launch-year quirks (rear-shock clunk, backup-camera striping, and AEB — automatic emergency braking — false-triggering) were never sorted.

Evidence: 223 NHTSA complaints · 7 recall campaigns · 7 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Squawking

What that means: First year of the sixth-generation Altima: 223 federal complaints led by the engine, seven recalls including a VC-Turbo engine-bearing campaign, and the debut of standard all-wheel drive. Almost everything has a free fix — but only if the previous owner actually got it done.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

223

Federal complaints

7

Recalls

Federal crash tests

5-star scale
Overall
Frontal crash
Side crash
Rollover

Tested variant: 2019 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD (NHTSA VehicleId 13424)

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) →

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

VC-Turbo engine-bearing recall (25V437) — the must-verify

major
  • 2.0L VC-Turbo

Recall 25V437 covers 2019–2020 Altimas (and 2021–2024 Rogue and Infiniti models) built with the VC-Turbo — a 1.5L or 2.0L variable-compression turbo engine. The engine bearings can have a manufacturing defect that leads to engine failure; a bearing failure can breach the block and discharge hot oil, with fire risk. The federal remedy is a free ECM (engine control module) reprogram, with owner letters mailed April 2026. The 2019 complaint file corroborates it: overheating, limp mode, 'Engine malfunction — power reduced,' and one owner told that metal was found in the oil pan during the recall inspection. One filer noted their VIN wasn't captured despite identical symptoms — so don't assume; verify 25V437 status by VIN, and treat any reduced-power warning as data.

This is a 2.0L VC-Turbo problem. The 2.5L QR25DE + Jatco CVT and 2.5L PR25DD + Xtronic CVT don’t share it.

Which engine is in the one you found? →

Recall remedy (ECM reprogram)

$0

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2019 Nissan Altima · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (25V437 engine-bearing, fuel-system, brake-switch, camera, tire recalls; AEB TSBs)

Two fuel-system recalls (18V922 and 19V316)major

The 2019 carries two separate fuel-delivery recalls. 18V922: a retainer clip connecting the low-pressure fuel tube to the high-pressure fuel pump may not be locked into position, which can cause a fuel leak (fire risk) or a disconnect that stalls the engine. 19V316 (2.5L front-wheel-drive cars): the fuel-pump lock ring may not be fully engaged, allowing a fuel leak. Both are free dealer repairs — inspection and, if needed, re-securing or replacing the component. On a used 2019, confirm both are closed by VIN before you trust the fuel system.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2019 Nissan Altima · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (25V437 engine-bearing, fuel-system, brake-switch, camera, tire recalls; AEB TSBs)

$0

Recall remedies

Brake-switch bracket recall (19V235)moderate

Recall 19V235 covers 2019 Altimas whose brake-switch bracket may be in the wrong location, keeping the brake switch active. That leaves the brake lights on when the pedal isn't pressed, and can let the shifter move out of Park without the brake pedal down — a roll-away risk — plus cruise-control and engine-start quirks. The fix is a free inspection and, if needed, a new brake pedal. Mechanics describe it as an easy fix; the point is confirming it was done.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2019 Nissan Altima · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (25V437 engine-bearing, fuel-system, brake-switch, camera, tire recalls; AEB TSBs) · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (6th-gen Altima)

$0

Recall remedy

Backup-camera recalls (19V654 settings, 23V628 harness)moderate

Two distinct backup-camera recalls apply. 19V654: the display can be set so the rear image is hidden and stays hidden — a free software update. 23V628 (2019–2021 Altima): physical damage to the camera harness can distort or lose the rear image — dealers inspect and replace the camera or harness, or re-route and tape it, free. Mechanics tie the striping/white-screen complaints in the file to trunk-lid harness wiring that bends and breaks. Test the camera in several lighting conditions and run the VIN for both.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2019 Nissan Altima · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (25V437 engine-bearing, fuel-system, brake-switch, camera, tire recalls; AEB TSBs) · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (6th-gen Altima)

$0

Recall remedies

Continental tire recall (21V169)moderate

Recall 21V169 covers 2019–2020 Altimas (and some Titans) fitted with certain Continental tires that may have been over-cured in production — a sidewall break or belt/tread separation risk. Dealers inspect and replace affected tires free. If the original tires are long gone this is moot, but verify the VIN and check what's actually mounted.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2019 Nissan Altima · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (25V437 engine-bearing, fuel-system, brake-switch, camera, tire recalls; AEB TSBs)

$0

Recall remedy

AEB false-braking, rear-shock clunk, and the 19-inch-wheel spare gotchaminor

Three gen-6 launch quirks to check. Automatic emergency braking (AEB — the system that brakes for an obstacle) can false-trigger; enough Nissan owners reported it that a class-action lawsuit was filed, and Nissan's dealer fix is a healthy battery plus clean radar sensors and a software or ECM update. A 2019 TSB (Technical Service Bulletin — dealer fix instructions) addresses a rear-end clunk over bumps, typically with new rear shocks under warranty. And on SR trims with 19-inch wheels, mounting the compact spare alongside three full-size 19s has overheated the all-wheel-drive system — carry a full-size spare or avoid the 19s. Test the ADAS suite, drive over bumps, and check the spare provisions.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (25V437 engine-bearing, fuel-system, brake-switch, camera, tire recalls; AEB TSBs) · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (6th-gen Altima)

During the inspection metal was found in my oil pan.
7 mechanic & owner sources

Open recalls

Free fixes at any Nissan dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 25V437VC-Turbo (1.5L/2.0L variable-compression) engine bearings may fail, risking engine failure and fire. Free ECM reprogram; owner letters mailed April 2026 (2019–2020 Altima, 2021–2024 Rogue, Infiniti QX50/QX55).open
  2. 18V922Retainer clip on the low-pressure fuel tube to the high-pressure fuel pump may be unlocked, risking a fuel leak or stall. Free re-secure (2019 Altima).open
  3. 19V316Fuel-pump lock ring may not be fully engaged, risking a fuel leak. Free inspection and tighten/replace (2019 Altima, 2.5L front-wheel-drive).open
  4. 19V235Brake-switch bracket may be mislocated, keeping the switch active — brake lights stay on and the shifter can leave Park without the pedal pressed. Free inspection/new brake pedal (2019 Altima).open
  5. 19V654Backup-camera display can be set so the rear image is hidden and stays hidden. Free software update (2018–2019 Altima and many Nissan/Infiniti models).open
  6. 23V628Backup-camera harness damage can distort or lose the rear image. Free inspect/replace or re-route and tape (2019–2021 Altima, 2020–2021 Sentra).open
  7. 21V169Certain Continental tires may be over-cured, risking a sidewall break or tread separation. Free inspection and replacement as needed (2019–2020 Altima, 2018–2021 Titan).open

What it costs to keep

The purchase price is what you negotiate. These are the numbers you live with afterward — each one sourced, none of them blended into a fake total.

The ownership picture — 2019 Altima

Three sourced numbers. No fake total.

Fuel

32 MPG combined (28 city / 39 highway) for the FWD, 2.5L on the EPA federal fuel-economy test.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (EPA) — EPA’s federal fuel-economy test, recomputed with current gas prices. EPA record 40884 (Altima).
Other builds EPA lists: AWD, 2.5L 29 MPG · FWD, 2.0L turbo 29 MPG.

$1,950/yr

at $4.15/gal · 15,000 mi/yr · 55/45 city/hwy · pulled Jul 12, 2026

Theft

Stolen roughly 2× as often as the average vehicle. Worth pricing comprehensive coverage before you buy, not after.

Source: HLDI — the insurance industry’s loss-data institute — HLDI whole vehicle theft losses, 2019–21 models, published April 2022 (report WT-21). 100 = the all-vehicle average. Series read: Nissan Altima.
Other series: Nissan Altima 4WD 122, where 100 = average.

207 vs 100

2× average — off this chart

Repair risk

What this specific year is known to need. Pulled from the issues above — the repairs owners actually report, at the costs they report them. Averages from other sites blend every year together; these are this year’s own numbers.

Source: this report — 01 Known issues.

Recall remedy (ECM reprogram)$0
Recall remedies$0
Recall remedy$0
Recall remedies$0
Recall remedy$0
Why there’s no single “cost to own” number: sites that promise one are guessing at your insurance quote, your annual miles, and your luck. These are the numbers we can actually source — and each one carries its receipt.

Shopping this year?

Get the printable pre-purchase checklist and an alert if this year’s recall sheet changes.

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Have a specific one in your sights?

The VIN is on the listing. We’ll check this exact car — build, open recalls, and whether the “completed” repairs stayed fixed.

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Before you buy

Print this
  1. 01Run the VIN and confirm 25V437 (VC-Turbo engine bearings) is completed — it's the one open recall with real teeth on this year; treat any reduced-power warning as a symptom.
  2. 02Confirm both fuel-system recalls (18V922 fuel tube, 19V316 fuel-pump lock ring) and the 19V235 brake-switch fix show completed.
  3. 03Test the backup camera in several lighting conditions and run 19V654 and 23V628; striping or white-screen points to harness damage.
  4. 04Drive 15+ minutes: test the AEB/ADAS suite for false-braking, and listen for a rear clunk over bumps (2019 TSB, rear shocks).
  5. 05On SR trims with 19-inch wheels, check for a full-size spare — a compact spare with 19s can overheat the all-wheel-drive system.
  6. 06Verify the tires (21V169) and ask about engine service history given the 2019–2020 bearing recall.

Own one already?

The canary watches your VIN — new recalls and the mileage where known issues start.

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