Nissan is one of the most-talked-about Japanese car companies of late. Between the company’s financial struggles, Intiniti’s return on the enthusiasts’ radar, and the Z NISMO getting a manual, there is a lot to talk about. While we have covered these topics extensively, one thing that isn’t talked about is Nissan’s reliability. We all know Nissan isn’t Toyota when it comes to reliability, but the fact of the matter is, some of that bad reputation isn’t entirely justified.
I stumbled upon a good example on the Facebook group, Mileage Impossible, where a Nissan Altima refuses to die, despite all odds. The car in question is a fifth-generation Altima, in what appears to be a “survivor” condition, at least on the outside. The exact car is a 2015 Nissan Altima S, which means it is powered by a QR25DE 2.5-liter inline-four. The normally-aspirated unit makes 182 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 180 pound-feet at 4,000 RPM.
The engine itself is known to be very reliable and many group members that own Nissan vehicles with this engine will attest to the mill’s durability. Unfortunately, in the 2015 Altima, it is exclusively mated to a CVT.
Here is a short recap of the car’s history from the post:
“He bought it with just under 200,000 miles.
Wrecked it with just over 500,000 miles.
Took the check and salvage title, and drove it another 140,000 miles.
2015 Nissan Altima S with 642,082 miles, and a seat so worn out that you can see a skid mark in the middle.”
Following owners' praise of the QR25 engine, the second most-discussed aspect of the Altima is the CVT. Nissan uses continuous variable transmissions made by its subsidiary Jatco, and unfortunately, they do not have a good reputation for reliability.
That said, this isn’t the first time we are seeing a high-mileage Nissan on the original transmission. A Rogue owner praised his SUV after driving 265,000 miles with no issues, showing that proper maintenance is the key.
The Nissan CVTs need to be serviced every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, depending on the driving conditions. This Altima is not the only example of a reliable Nissan CVT.
“I hope I make it that far. I got a 2017 SR. OG engine and CVT. Only owner.”, says another fifth-generation Altima owner, as he posted a picture of the odometer at 313,000 miles.
Another user comments: “I have a 2018 Altima SR original engine and transmission, 520,000 miles.”
What’s good about the Altima?
The Nissan Altima has a lot to like about it. Among the things people praise is the smoothness of the CVT, the fuel-economy of the four-cylinder engine, and the spacious interior. Speaking of the cabin, the interior of this particular 2015 model has held up surprisingly well for 640,000-plus miles. Granted, not all of the materials are high-quality, but they seem to be rugged enough to stand the test of time.
Some people complain about the four-cylinder engine’s drone during acceleration and the vague steering feel. These are actually great cars and currently, you can pick up a good example for as little as $8,000.
What are your thoughts on the fifth-generation Nissan Altima? This is more anecdotal than anything else, but it goes to show that the bad reputation isn’t always deserved. Would you take a chance on a high-mileage Altima? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
About the author
Dimitar Angelov has been an automotive journalist since 2014. His passion for cars and motorcycles led him to take up classic car restoration at the Classic Car Museum in Malta. While living there, he also graduated with a Master's in Media and Communications. Aside from Torquenews, his work can also be seen on Topspeed.com, HotCars.com, Motorheads.com, Jalopnik.com, and his own website, Ridereverie.com, where he also includes motorcycle content.
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