VERDICT · VERIFY THE CVT'S HISTORY CAREFULLY

Nissan Altima 2.5L
is it a safe used buy?

A popular, well-equipped midsize sedan where the engine itself is reasonably sound, but the CVT paired with it carries the extensively documented concerns detailed on its own dedicated page.

GENERATION5th gen (2013–2018)

ENGINE2.5L QR25DE

POWER179 hp

USED PRICE$9,000–16,000

How the engine fits this car

The Altima's midsize sedan body is a reasonable, unstressed load for this engine mechanically — the primary risk on this car, detailed in full on the CVT's own dedicated page, sits with the transmission rather than the engine itself.

Given how significant the CVT's documented issues are (serious enough to prompt extended warranty coverage and litigation in some markets), treating that page's checklist as essential reading is more important here than almost anywhere else it's referenced on this site.

Nissan Altima-specific pros and cons

This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.

WHAT HOLDS UP WELL

Comfortable, well-equipped interior for the segment and price point
Reasonable engine-specific track record once past the earlier production years' head gasket concern
Later production years within this generation benefited from CVT cooling and durability revisions
A well-documented, proactively serviced example is a meaningfully safer bet than an unknown one

WHAT TO WATCH

CVT overheating and shudder, detailed in full on the transmission page, is a genuine and significant concern
Earlier production years within this generation are more commonly associated with the most serious transmission failures
Resale demand has softened somewhat, reflecting broader buyer caution about CVT-equipped Nissans generally
Full CVT replacement, where needed, is a significant cost relative to a conventional automatic repair

Pricing on the used market

Mileage band

Typical price

What to expect

Under 60,000 mi

$13,000–16,000

Still verify CVT history regardless of mileage

60,000–100,000 mi

$10,500–13,000

Sweet spot only with documented CVT service

100,000+ mi

$9,000–10,500

Treat with real caution without proof of proactive service

The engine itself

This Altima is paired with the Jatco CVT covered in detail on its own dedicated page under Infiniti — essential reading given how significant that transmission's documented issues are.

FULL ENGINE BREAKDOWNInfiniti/Nissan CVT (Jatco) — Reliable or Not →

Pre-purchase checklist for this generation

Test drive extensively under both light and firmer acceleration, feeling specifically for shudder or hesitation, and watch the temperature gauge for any unusual behaviour.

Ask whether a transmission fluid service has ever been performed, and treat an unserviced example as a candidate for proactive service.

Check whether extended warranty coverage still applies in your region before assuming any repair cost falls on you.