The 2019 Altima represents Nissan's transition year with the new VC-Turbo engine and continued use of CVTs. Major concerns center on catastrophic engine failures in the 2.5L and variable compression turbo models, plus the usual Nissan CVT reliability questions.
2.5L Engine Catastrophic Internal Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: sudden loss of power, violent knocking from engine bay, metal shavings in oil, engine seizure without warning, check engine light with misfire codes
Fix: Complete engine failure requiring short block or longblock replacement. Root cause is piston ring land failure causing ringland fracture, debris contamination, and bearing damage. 18-25 hours labor for R&R plus machine work if salvaging heads.
Estimated cost: $6,500-9,500
CVT Transmission Judder and Failure (RE0F11A)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: shuddering during acceleration 15-40 mph, hesitation from stop, whining or grinding noise, slipping sensation, transmission overheating warning
Fix: Nissan CVTs remain problematic despite updates. Fluid changes every 30k help but don't prevent eventual failure. Replacement typically required, aftermarket rebuilds available but questionable longevity. 8-12 hours labor for R&R.
Estimated cost: $3,800-5,500
VC-Turbo (KR20DDET) Variable Compression System Failure
Rare · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: check engine light with compression-related codes, loss of power, excessive engine noise, oil consumption, won't start or runs extremely rough
Fix: The innovative variable compression mechanism has actuator arm, harmonic drive, and control shaft failures. When it goes, entire engine replacement is typical due to parts availability and specialized nature. 20-28 hours.
Estimated cost: $8,000-12,000
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: no start condition, rough running and stalling, long crank time, loss of power under load, fuel pressure codes P0087/P0088
Fix: Subject to recall 21V762 but failures occur outside recall scope. Pump fails internally, metal contamination can damage injectors. Replace pump and flush fuel system, inspect injectors. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Backup Camera Failure and Intermittent Operation
Common · low severity
Symptoms: blank screen when in reverse, intermittent camera operation, distorted or frozen image, guidelines not appearing
Fix: Camera module itself or wiring harness corrosion. Two recalls issued (19V578, 20V344) but problems persist. Camera replacement typical, check connectors first. 1-1.5 hours.
Estimated cost: $350-650
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission fluid puddles under vehicle, low fluid warnings, transmission running hot, fluid on radiator area, burnt transmission fluid smell
Fix: Cooler lines crack at crimp points or cooler itself develops leaks. Must address immediately to prevent CVT damage from low fluid. Lines or cooler replacement. 2-4 hours depending on which component.
Estimated cost: $400-900
Brake Light Switch Premature Failure
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: brake lights stuck on, brake lights won't illuminate, push-button start won't engage, shift lock issues, cruise control won't set
Fix: Recall 20V420 addresses some VINs but switch design is weak. Simple switch replacement under dash. 0.5-0.8 hours.
Estimated cost: $150-280
Owner tips
Change CVT fluid every 30,000 miles with Nissan NS-3 fluid regardless of 'lifetime fill' claims — this is critical
Monitor oil consumption religiously on 2.5L engines; sudden increase means imminent failure
VC-Turbo models need premium fuel and precise oil change intervals (5k max) to survive
Get pre-purchase compression and leak-down tests on any used example, non-negotiable
Extended warranty is almost mandatory if buying used — engine and transmission risks are too high
Hard pass unless under warranty — catastrophic engine failures and CVT issues make this a financial time bomb for used buyers.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL · 25V437000
2025-06-27
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.
Consequence: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk of an engine fire.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R25A8/A9 and R25B1/B2.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 23V628000
2023-09-08
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C3.
TIRES · 21V169000
2021-03-11
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Consequence: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC798.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 19V654000
2019-09-12
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Altima vehicles equipped with front wheel drive (FWD) and 2.5 liter engines. The fuel pump lock ring may not be fully engaged, possibly causing fuel to leak. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tank assembly. If the lock ring is disengaged, dealers will tighten the ring to specification. If the lock ring is detached, dealers will replace the fuel pump. Both remedies will be completed free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · 19V235000
2019-03-25
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Nissan Altima vehicles. The brake switch bracket may be in the incorrect location, which may cause the brake switch to remain on.
Consequence: If the brake switch remains in the ON position, the brake lights will remain illuminated when the brakes are not being pressed, which may confuse other drivers. Additionally, the transmission shift lever may be moved out of the Park position without the brake pedal being pressed, allowing the vehicle to roll unexpectedly. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a new brake pedal as needed, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Nissan North America, Inc (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Altima vehicles. The retainer clip connecting the low pressure fuel tube to the high pressure fuel pump may not have been locked into position.
Consequence: If the retainer clip is unlocked, the fuel tube may shift and cause a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire. If the fuel tube fully disconnects, the engine can stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan has notified owners, and dealers will route the fuel hose into the holding clip and lock the retainer clip into place, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
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