Is the 2001 Nissan Altima a bad year?
159 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 49, 1.2× a quiet Altima year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 58k–103k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 Altima owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 78,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 47 (30%) | 57k–103k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 19 (12%) | 34k–108k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Exhaust | 19 (12%) | 75k–109k miles · around this mileage | Exhaust leak repair $200–$1,500 · Catalytic converter replacement $500–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 15 (9%) | 55k–97k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 13 (8%) | 31k–80k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 11 (7%) | 34k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 7 (4%) | 50k–131k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Equipment | 7 (4%) | 52k–105k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 7 (4%) | 46k–101k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 6 (4%) | 48k–113k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Suspension | 20 (13%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 78,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 159 complaints: 22 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 12 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Oct 2019.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Intake manifold gasket failure at around 80000 miles causing rough engine idling, engine stalling, and an expensive repair.
My 2001 Nissan Altima shakes when in the idle or stop position. Have had all the repairs done to that I could afford.
Gasket issue...car starts shaking at stop signs and one has to push the gas pedal pretty hand. Can be dangerous.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 78,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2001 Nissan Altima: 2
Certain eagle eyes headlamp assemblies, p/nos. DS517-B001L and DS517-B001R, sold for use as replacement equipment for the above listed passenger vehicles. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with firestone firehawk GTA-02 , size P205/55R16 89H tires. With increasing mileage, the tires may develop shoulder area cracking. Continued use of a tire with this condition may lead to exposure of the belt edge. Under these circumstances, a belt edge separation is posible, which could resulting in the loss of tire pressure.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 23
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 Nissan Altima. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
Identify: A leaking strut or a shock absorber that qualifies for replacement under warranty
Vent control valve replacement
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light on/flashing
Neighbouring years
2000 Altima: 159 complaints, keep it · 2002 Altima: 1,046 complaints, consider selling.
Every Nissan Altima year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Altima years side by side
Other Nissan models: Nissan 350Z · Nissan 370Z · Nissan Armada · Nissan Cube · Nissan Frontier · Nissan Juke · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Leaf · Nissan Maxima · Nissan Murano · Nissan Pathfinder · Nissan Quest · Nissan Rogue · Nissan Rogue Sport · Nissan Sentra · Nissan Titan · Nissan Titan XD · Nissan Versa · Nissan Versa Note · Nissan Xterra. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2001 Nissan Altima a bad year?
159 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 49, 1.2× a quiet Altima year. At 78,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 58k–103k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Nissan Altima?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (47), electrical system (19), exhaust (19), air bags (15), visibility and wipers (13). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 58k–103k miles.
How many recalls does the 2001 Nissan Altima have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 07E074000), Tires (NHTSA 01V-065). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.