Nissan Altima Ownership Cost Calculator 2026
Pre-filled with real Nissan Altima specs. Estimate your Nissan Altima 5-year cost of ownership — depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance, loan, and residual value — then compare against same-class rivals side by side.
Year-by-Year Cost Breakdown — Nissan Altima
| Year | Start Value | Depreciation | Fuel | Insurance | Maint. | Reg | Loan Pmt | Yr Out-of-Pkt | Cumulative | End Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $30,500 | −$4,270 | $1,522 | $1,700 | $900 | $150 | $6,214 | $10,487 | $16,586 | $26,230 |
| 2 | $26,230 | −$3,355 | $1,522 | $1,700 | $900 | $150 | $6,214 | $10,487 | $27,073 | $22,875 |
| 3 | $22,875 | −$3,050 | $1,522 | $1,700 | $900 | $150 | $6,214 | $10,487 | $37,559 | $19,825 |
| 4 | $19,825 | −$2,440 | $1,522 | $1,700 | $900 | $150 | $6,214 | $10,487 | $48,045 | $17,385 |
| 5 | $17,385 | −$2,135 | $1,522 | $1,700 | $900 | $150 | $6,214 | $10,487 | $58,532 | $15,250 |
| 5-yr total | — | −$15,250 | $7,612 | $8,500 | $4,500 | $750 | $31,069 | $58,532 | — | $15,250 |
Combined 32 MPG (EPA). Depreciation uses a midsize-sedan segment-average retention curve (editable). Figures are estimates for planning, not a quote.
Nissan Altima — Base Parameters
Powertrain
- Engine2.5L I4 (PR25DD) / 2.0L VC-Turbo (KR20DDET)
- DrivetrainFWD
- Fuelgas
- Market years2019-2024
EPA Efficiency
- City28 MPG
- Highway39 MPG
- Combined32 MPG
- Source year2021
Trims & MSRP
- Base (entry trim)$25,000
- Popular (mid trim)$30,500
- Top (fully loaded)$36,000
Same-Segment Cost Comparison
Every model below is modeled with identical assumptions (Popular trim, 20% down, 5-year loan at the national average new-car APR, 12,000 miles/year, national average tax & insurance). This apples-to-apples view is exclusive to VehCalc — manufacturer sites and KBB do not show it side by side.
| Model | Popular MSRP | 5-Yr Cost to Own | Avg / Year | Residual (5 yr) | Cost / Mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Altima (this car) | $30,500 | $43,282 | $8,656 | $15,250 | $0.72 |
| Hyundai Sonata | $30,500 | $43,789 | $8,758 | $15,250 | $0.73 |
| Toyota Camry | $31,000 | $45,398 | $9,080 | $15,500 | $0.76 |
| Honda Accord | $31,500 | $44,508 | $8,902 | $15,750 | $0.74 |
| Volkswagen Jetta GLI | $32,500 | $45,807 | $9,161 | $16,250 | $0.76 |
Nissan Altima Reliability, Fault Codes & Maintenance Specs
Model-specific diagnostic data for the Nissan Altima (2019-2024 (6th Gen), 2019-2024): known OBD-II trouble codes, symptom-to-fix mapping, model-year issues, and the factory maintenance specification sheet. Print it and hand it to your technician.
OBD-II fault codes
4 codes logged for this platform, with the cause most often seen on the 2.5L I4 (PR25DD) / 2.0L VC-Turbo (KR20DDET).
| Code | Description | Common cause here | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| P0171 | System Too Lean (Bank 1) | Dirty MAF sensor or PCV valve | Medium |
| P0420 | Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold | Catalytic converter aging or O2 sensor | Medium |
| P0776 | Pressure Control Solenoid B Performance/Stuck Off | CVT valve body pressure control solenoid failure | High |
| P0300 | Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire | Ignition coil or spark plug failure | High |
Symptoms, causes & fixes
What owners actually report, what it turns out to be, and what the repair involves.
| Symptom | Root cause | Fix | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVT judder, slipping, and failure | CVT belt and pulley wear, valve body failure | CVT fluid change at 30k miles; if judder persists, CVT replacement ($3,500-$4,500) | 2019-2022 |
| Hood paint peeling and delamination | Paint adhesion defect on aluminum hood | Hood repaint or replacement under paint TSB | 2019-2021 |
| Rear spoiler leaking water into trunk | Spoiler mounting gasket seal failure | Re-seal spoiler mounting points with automotive sealant | 2019-2022 |
| Steering wheel clock spring noise | Clock spring assembly wear | Replace clock spring assembly | 2019-2021 |
Model-year issues
Problems tied to a specific production window rather than the whole generation.
| Years | Issue | Fix | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2022 | CVT judder and belt slip — valve body pressure issues Reference: NTB22-058 | CVT valve body replacement or CVT unit replacement | Check with dealer |
| 2019-2021 | Hood paint peeling — aluminum substrate adhesion Reference: NTB20-093 | Hood repaint or replacement | Resolved in later build |
Common problems owners report
Recurring complaints for this model, summarized from owner-reported fault patterns.
- CVT reliability — change fluid at 30k miles, not 60k
- Hood paint delamination on 2019-2021 models
- Rear spoiler water leak into trunk
- AC condenser vulnerability to road debris
Factory maintenance specification sheet
Spec-grade values for the Nissan Altima. Verify against your owner's manual before service.
| Engine oil grade | 0W-20 |
| Oil capacity (with filter) | 4.8 qt |
| Oil change interval | 7,500 mi |
| Spark plug interval | 60,000 mi |
| Tire size | 215/60R16 |
| Tire pressure (cold) | 33 psi |
| Tire rotation interval | 5,000 mi |
| Air filter interval | 30,000 mi |
| Coolant service interval | 60,000 mi |
| Brake fluid interval | 30,000 mi |
| 12V battery group | Group 35 |
| Battery cold-cranking amps | 600 CCA |
Powertrain & drivetrain identity
Confirm your exact configuration before ordering parts or booking service.
| Engine / motor | 2.5L I4 (PR25DD) / 2.0L VC-Turbo (KR20DDET) |
| Drivetrain | FWD |
| Body style | Sedan |
| Generation | 2019-2024 (6th Gen) |
| Market years | 2019-2024 |
| Original MSRP range | $25,000-$36,000 |
| Market | US/CA |
Data sources & methodology
- OBD-II code definitionsSAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standardized powertrain diagnostic trouble codes, with platform-specific causes matched against the model in this dataset. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- Fuel economy & MPGeU.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy data (fueleconomy.gov), model-year matched where available. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- Maintenance specificationsFactory scheduled-maintenance intervals, fluid grades, tire sizes, and battery group sizes compiled per model. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
- Defects, recalls & technical service bulletinsNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defect and recall records. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
Methodology and citations are maintained by the VehCalc editorial team. Where an official schedule is not yet loaded, results are shown as model estimates and the source is stated as a reference.
Nissan Altima — Common Ownership Questions
What is the Nissan Altima 5-year cost of ownership in 2026?
Based on a Popular-trim purchase at $30,500 with a 20% down payment, a 5-year loan at the national average new-car APR, 12,000 miles per year, and national average tax and insurance, the estimated 5-year cost of ownership is $43,282 — about $8,656 per year — with an estimated $15,250 residual value after 5 years. Use the calculator above to tailor it to your state, down payment, and mileage.
How much does a Nissan Altima depreciate each year?
The Altima sits in the midsize-sedan segment. Applying a segment-average retention curve, it is estimated to keep roughly 86% of its value after the first year and 50% after five years. Depreciation is typically the single largest ownership cost, which is why our calculator shows it year by year alongside every other expense.
What is the Nissan Altima MSRP and which trims are available?
The Altima ranges from $25,000 (Base (entry trim)) to $36,000 (Top (fully loaded)). Trims shown: Base (entry trim) ($25,000); Popular (mid trim) ($30,500); Top (fully loaded) ($36,000). Select a trim in the calculator to recompute costs instantly.
What are the Nissan Altima real-world fuel costs?
EPA combined rating is 32 MPG (city 28 / highway 39). At the 2026 national average of $4.06/gal and 12,000 miles per year, fuel runs about $1,522 per year, or $7,612 over 5 years.
Does the Nissan Altima qualify for any tax credits?
The Altima is a gas vehicle, so federal EV credits do not apply. State-level incentives, if any, are listed on each state's page — select your state in the calculator to see local tax and fee impact.
How do Nissan Altima ownership costs compare with rivals?
See the side-by-side comparison table on this page. We model the Altima against Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Volkswagen Jetta GLI using identical assumptions — same annual miles, down payment, and loan terms — so the difference is truly apples-to-apples. That is data the manufacturer's site and KBB do not show side by side.
What are the most common Nissan Altima problems?
Owners of the Nissan Altima (2019-2024) most often report: CVT reliability — change fluid at 30k miles, not 60k; Hood paint delamination on 2019-2021 models; Rear spoiler water leak into trunk; AC condenser vulnerability to road debris. Each is broken down with its root cause and the repair path in the reliability section above.
Which OBD-II codes does the Nissan Altima throw most often?
The codes logged most frequently for this platform are P0171 (System Too Lean (Bank 1)), P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold), P0776 (Pressure Control Solenoid B Performance/Stuck Off). The full list with the cause usually found on the 2.5L I4 (PR25DD) / 2.0L VC-Turbo (KR20DDET) and a low/medium/high severity rating is in the fault-code table above.
Why does my Nissan Altima cVT judder, slipping, and failure?
On this model the usual cause is cVT belt and pulley wear, valve body failure. The typical repair is cVT fluid change at 30k miles; if judder persists, CVT replacement ($3,500-$4,500) (reported on 2019-2022 cars). The symptoms table above lists every reported fault for this platform.
Are there model-year-specific Nissan Altima issues I should check before buying used?
Yes — 2019-2022 cars are associated with cVT judder and belt slip — valve body pressure issues (reference NTB22-058). Recommended action: cVT valve body replacement or CVT unit replacement Ask the seller or dealer whether this was performed. The model-year table above lists all known production-window issues.
What are the Nissan Altima service intervals and fluid specs?
Factory spec is 0W-20 oil (4.8 qt) changed every 7,500 miles, 215/60R16 tires at 33 psi cold rotated every 5,000 miles, air filter every 30,000 miles, coolant every 60,000 miles, spark plugs every 60,000 miles, and a group 35 battery at 600 CCA. The full spec sheet is above and printable.