VinCanary

Reliability report · 2023 Nissan Altima · Updated July 2026

Nearly as quiet as 2022, but a thin thread of engine and stalling reports keeps it from fully calm.

The 2023 is a quiet late-model year — 28 federal complaints, no CVT (continuously variable transmission) cluster, and outside the 2019–2020 engine-bearing recall. Most of the file is ordinary: backup-camera white-screen faults, alternators, false-braking. But a thin, real thread runs through it — an engine fire with a 'power reduced' warning, a high-pressure fuel pump that unseated from the cylinder head, and several cars that stall mid-drive.

At this volume none of that is a proven pattern, and none is covered by an Altima recall. It keeps the 2023 a notch above fully calm: a good used sedan, but one where you drive it warm, watch for any stall or reduced-power warning, and confirm the recall picture by VIN yourself (see the note below).

Evidence: 28 NHTSA complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 7 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Chirping

What that means: 28 federal complaints — very low — but a handful describe genuine engine trouble: an under-hood fire, a high-pressure fuel pump working loose, and repeated stalling. None falls under an Altima recall, so these are worth a close look rather than a shrug. Otherwise it's a settled, late-model gen-6 car.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

This status assumes the riskiest common powertrain — see the Altima engine guide.

28

Federal complaints

0

Recalls (see note)

Known issues

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

Engine: fire, fuel-pump seating, and stalling reports

major

The most serious thread in the small 2023 file is the engine. One owner reported an 'engine malfunction — power reduced' warning followed by smoke and a small under-hood fire at highway speed. Another reported the engine-mounted high-pressure fuel pump working loose because its mounting threads failed, letting oil out near the top of the engine and causing a sudden power loss — a dealer confirmed it and a goodwill claim was denied. Several other owners report the car stalling mid-drive with no warning. Importantly, the 2023 Altima is NOT in the 25V437 VC-Turbo engine-bearing recall (that covers 2019–2020), so these are not recall-covered. At 28 total complaints this is not a proven fleet defect — but it's enough to warrant a careful cold-and-warm drive and a scan for stored codes.

What to check

Pink and cleanServiced. Proceed.

Dark brownDamage underway.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Nissan Altima

Backup-camera and electrical faultsmoderate

The largest cluster by count is electrical. Multiple owners report the backup camera going bright white or blank in reverse — sometimes from new, sometimes intermittently, and often not reproducible for the dealer. Others report a failed alternator with no warning light, a BCM (body control module) failure that stranded the car, and no-start/electrical-shutdown episodes. Unlike the 2019–2021 cars, the 2023 is not covered by the camera-harness recall (23V628 stops at 2021), so a white-screen camera here is an owner-pays diagnosis. Test the camera in several lighting conditions and confirm the charging system is healthy.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Nissan Altima

Automatic emergency braking false activationmoderate

As across the gen-6 Altima, automatic emergency braking (AEB — the obstacle-braking system) draws complaints for activating with nothing ahead, and for the AEB warning light coming on with no reproducible fault. One 2023 owner attributes a shoulder injury to an AEB jolt during a low-speed collision. Nissan's dealer fix for false-braking is a healthy battery plus clean radar and camera sensors and a software update. Test the ADAS suite on the drive and note any false-braking or malfunction-light history.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Nissan Altima · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (6th-gen Altima)

Assorted low-frequency reportsminor

The remainder is scattered: a spontaneously shattering rear windshield, distorted or overly bright driver/passenger glass, a seat frame that came loose, a rear seat belt found not bolted to the frame from the factory, spongy brakes, and a loud audio 'bang' through the speakers. None forms a pattern at 28 complaints. Do the ordinary used-car checks — glass, seats, belts, brakes — and treat these as individual quality escapes rather than model red flags.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Nissan Altima

Smoke started pouring out of the hood… the car was unable to start.
7 mechanic & owner sources

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Safety recalls

A verified zero — not an unchecked one. Here’s what that means.

No NHTSA safety recalls — verified July 10, 2026

Checked against NHTSA’s recall database on July 10, 2026. Any manufacturer Special Coverage programs for this year are listed under the issues above, not here.

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