A fair question before shopping this generation is which Altima year is actually worth buying. The sixth generation (2019 to present) is a genuinely capable highway sedan, but it isn't a uniform block. A couple of specific model years carry NHTSA recalls you need to verify before you sign anything. The others (especially 2021 through 2023) are solid, well-sorted used buys built for exactly the kind of drive Roswell families make most.
That drive is I-20 East to Augusta. About 164 miles, roughly two and a half hours, mostly open four-lane highway through Georgia pine forest once you clear the Atlanta metro. A run like this separates a comfortable car from an exhausting one. Seat quality matters. Highway fuel efficiency matters. And if you've got ProPilot Assist holding your speed and lane on a long, straight stretch past Madison, GA, you'll feel it by the time you pull into Augusta.
Know the good years, dodge the rest.
Browse our pre-owned Altima inventory at Regal Nissan to see what's currently on the lot.
- The 2021, 2022, and 2023 Nissan Altima are the sweet-spot years for a used highway buy: NHTSA recalls from the first model year have been resolved, and IIHS awarded Top Safety Pick+ ratings for all three.
- Avoid the 2019 and 2020 VC-Turbo (2.0L turbocharged) trims unless you've confirmed the engine bearing recall has been completed. Per NHTSA, a bearing defect can lead to engine failure.
- The standard 2.5L four-cylinder across all sixth-gen years is the more reliable engine choice for highway commuters.
- Nissan's EPA estimate for the 2026 Altima FWD is 36 mpg highway. Used 2021-2023 examples with the 2.5L hit a very similar 36 mpg highway per the EPA for those model years.
- ProPilot Assist (adaptive cruise plus lane centering) became available starting in 2020 and is standard on higher trims from 2021 onward. It's useful on the long, straight I-20 corridor.
Which years are the sweet spot for a used Altima?
The 2021 through 2023 Nissan Altima hits the best balance of price, settled reliability, and feature availability in the current generation, and while the 2019 and 2020 cars can work too, they only make sense once you've cleared their early recalls. IIHS awarded the Altima its Top Safety Pick+ designation for all three of those years. Top Safety Pick+ is the institute's highest honor, requiring strong performance in every crash test category. The 2019 and 2020 models earned Top Safety Pick (one tier down) but carried early-production recalls we'll cover below.
The sixth-generation Altima breaks down like this, year by year.
| Model Year | Sweet Spot? | Years to Watch? | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Partial | Yes | Launch year; VC-Turbo engine bearing recall + fuel line recall; standard 2.5L fine if recalls verified |
| 2020 | Partial | Yes | VC-Turbo engine bearing recall applies; ProPilot Assist added; rearview camera recall (2019-2021) |
| 2021 | Yes | Minor | Rearview camera recall (verify completion); IIHS TSP+; SR grade added above SV |
| 2022 | Yes | No | Clean record; IIHS TSP+; well-sorted interior; good used value entry |
| 2023 | Yes | No | Refresh year (new front styling, streamlined trim lineup); IIHS TSP+ |
| 2024-2025 | Yes | No | Newest used options; closest to current-gen spec; higher used ask |
The 2021 Altima draws fewer reported complaints than the launch years. It also added the SR grade above the SV in the trim hierarchy, which means you'll find used examples with sport-tuned suspension and 19-inch wheels without paying for the top trim.
For the Roswell-to-Augusta run specifically, prioritize any year that carries ProPilot Assist on the trim. On the 2.5L SV and higher from 2021 onward, the system pairs adaptive cruise control with lane centering, and you'll take that over white-knuckling cruise control alone across two and a half hours on I-20. The Zero Gravity front seat design (Nissan's term for the seat contour that mirrors neutral body posture) is standard across the generation. You feel it on drives this long.
Which years should you watch out for?
The 2019 and 2020 Altima with the 2.0L VC-Turbo engine are the years that need the most homework, and while a clean, recall-completed example can still serve you well, NHTSA has documented two separate concerns you'll want to settle before you buy.
Engine bearing recall and fuel line issues:
- First, per NHTSA recall R25A8/A9, Nissan recalled 2019-2020 Altima models equipped with the VC-Turbo engine because the engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can cause engine failure. Owner letters went out in early 2026. The fix is an ECM software update, performed free of charge by dealers. But if you're shopping a 2019 or 2020 VC-Turbo used, verify via the VIN on NHTSA.gov that the recall has been completed on that specific unit.
- Early 2019 production units (manufactured between May and October 2018) were subject to a separate fuel line recall (NHTSA 18V922) for an improperly installed fuel hose that could cause a fuel leak. Nearly 24,000 vehicles were affected. Again, check the VIN, it's worth the minute.
The 2019 through 2021 Altima also carries a rearview camera harness recall (NHTSA R23C3) covering about 153,000 vehicles. It ranks lower in urgency than the engine bearing issue, but it's still worth confirming on any 2019-2021 example you're considering.
View our new Nissan Altima inventory if a used option with open recalls doesn't feel right and you'd rather start fresh.
Skip the VC-Turbo trim on 2019 and 2020 unless you've confirmed the recall is done. The standard 2.5L four-cylinder across all sixth-gen years has a notably cleaner record. For highway driving, the 2.5L is also the better choice anyway. It hits 36 mpg highway per the EPA on FWD models, while the VC-Turbo nets 34 mpg highway per EPA figures.
If you're comparing sedans against something with more cargo room, the Nissan Murano is worth a look as a highway-comfortable crossover alternative for longer family trips to Augusta.
Which Altima year fits which buyer
If you drive I-20 to Augusta a few times a year and want the best-equipped used Altima for the money, the 2022 Nissan Altima SV or SR is our pick, and the honest caveat is that a well-kept 2021 or 2023 isn't far behind once you account for age and recall checks. No open recalls. IIHS Top Safety Pick+. ProPilot Assist available on the SV. The interior stays composed enough to handle a multi-hour family trip without feeling like an economy rental. Used examples have enough mileage and age on them now that you'll get real value without the launch-year question marks.
For buyers on a tighter budget who are comfortable doing the recall homework, a 2021 Altima SV with the 2.5L engine is a legitimate find. The camera harness recall (R23C3) is a verified, minor fix. Confirm it's done and you're looking at one of the better-sorted used Altimas available.
The newest used option is the 2023, with its refreshed exterior and the trimmed-down lineup. It's the easiest to shop, with two trims, clear feature sets, and the same clean reliability record as 2022. The trade-off is a higher used ask given its age. Worth it if you plan to keep the car five or more years.
Buyers who do not want to touch a turbocharged engine at all should stick to 2019-2023 models with the standard 2.5L. Full stop. The 2.0L VC-Turbo is truly innovative technology, but there's no getting around what its recall history puts on a used buyer. That's the plain trade-off.
Check your financing options before you shop so you'll know exactly what range of years and trims fits your plan.
By the Regal Nissan Team | July 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most reliable used Nissan Altima year to buy?
The 2021, 2022, and 2023 Nissan Altima are the most reliable used years in the current generation. IIHS awarded all three years Top Safety Pick+ status, and NHTSA complaint volumes are lower for these years than for the 2019 and 2020 launch models. If you want one answer: a 2022 Altima with the standard 2.5L engine and a verified service history is the cleanest used buy in the generation.
Does the Nissan Altima have ProPilot Assist on used models?
Yes, ProPilot Assist became available on the Nissan Altima starting with the 2020 model year. On 2021 and newer examples, it appears as a standard or available feature on the SV and SR trims. The system combines adaptive cruise control with lane centering and is particularly useful on highway stretches like I-20 between the Atlanta metro and Augusta. Check the window sticker or Carfax for the option package to confirm it's equipped on a specific used unit.
Are there any NHTSA recalls I should know about before buying a used Altima?
Yes. The two most important ones for sixth-generation buyers are: (1) the VC-Turbo engine bearing recall (NHTSA R25A8/A9), which affects 2019 and 2020 Altima models with the 2.0L turbocharged engine and can lead to engine failure if not addressed; and (2) a rearview camera harness recall (NHTSA R23C3) covering 2019 through 2021 Altima models. Both are repairable at no cost to the owner at a Nissan dealer, but verify on NHTSA.gov that any specific used vehicle has had the recall completed before you buy.