Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

2020 vs 2021 NISSAN ALTIMA

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 71 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 43.7% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

2020 119 complaints 2021 67 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 2020 share 2021 share Share change
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 14.8% 22.4% ▲ 7.6 pts larger share
ENGINE 14.8% 7.5% ▼ 7.4 pts smaller share
STEERING 3.2% 7.5% ▲ 4.2 pts larger share
BACK OVER PREVENTION 1.9% 6.0% ▲ 4.0 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 0.7% 4.5% ▲ 3.8 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 3.9% 7.5% ▲ 3.6 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 7.7% 4.5% ▼ 3.3 pts smaller share
WHEELS 3.2% not reported ▼ 3.2 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 3.2% not reported ▼ 3.2 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS 3.2% not reported ▼ 3.2 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 4.5% 1.5% ▼ 3.0 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15.5% 13.4% ▼ 2.1 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 1.9% not reported ▼ 1.9 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 1.3% 3.0% ▲ 1.7 pts larger share
LANE DEPARTURE 1.3% not reported ▼ 1.3 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 0.7% not reported ▼ 0.7 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 41.9% 53.7% ▲ 11.8 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

2020 6

Campaign components: BACK OVER PREVENTION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STEERING, and VISIBILITY

2021 2

Campaign components: BACK OVER PREVENTION and STEERING

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
5 → 1
◆ Injuries
13 → 4