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Nissan Altima vs. Volkswagen Passat Reliability by Model Generation

Results are for year ending June 30, 2018. Only successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
Year and Model % of Average Repair Frequency  
2012 - 2018 Volkswagen Passat Reliability by Generation2012 - 2018 Volkswagen Passat
67.714285714286% Best 156% Worst
See problems for this generation
2013 - 2015 Nissan Altima Reliability by Generation2013 - 2015 Nissan Altima
38% Best 104% Worst
See problems for this generation
2010 - 2012 Nissan Altima Reliability by Generation2010 - 2012 Nissan Altima
16.857142857143% Best 67% Worst
See problems for this generation
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2006 - 2010 Volkswagen Passat Reliability by Generation2006 - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
99.714285714286% Best 212% Worst
See problems for this generation
2009 Nissan Altima Reliability by Generation2009 Nissan Altima
35.714285714286% Best 100% Worst
See problems for this generation
2007 - 2008 Nissan Altima Reliability by Generation2007 - 2008 Nissan Altima
23.142857142857% Best 78% Worst
See problems for this generation

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Reliability And Durability of the Nissan Altima

Nissan Altima Reliability And Durability: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2014 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4
CVT FWD
For 20k miles so far mailnly used as a commuter car and well, everything else too I don't see any issues other than the regular oil changes and tire rotations. Time will tell how well the CVT holds up but from Nissan's standpoint they had it for a long time and I expect it to hold up. FYI I did not do those "mandatory" maintenance checkups, mostly do it at the 30k mark. full 2014 Nissan Altima review
2010 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
I bought the 2010 Altima for the reliability and durability that Nissan's have been known for. Their styling is a notch better than Honda or Toyota. I have been driving the Altima for nearly 2 months now. I bought a pre-owned model for reduced depreciation. I drive my personal car for work purposes so this is why I went pre-owned (re-imbursed 0.42/mi). So far so good. I am averaging 30.2 mpg (city/highway). I am very satisfied with the economy. The 2.5L engine has performed well. The car was a lease return and was driven 9k miles/yr prior to my ownership. I hope to put 200k miles on this car before changing again. I have heard of the CVT having issues. Keeping my fingers crossed and will make sure to keep it maintained. Nissan raised the warranty on the CVT to 10/yr/120k miles. full 2010 Nissan Altima review
2009 4dr Sedan 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
Minimal problems full 2009 Nissan Altima review
2008 4dr Sedan 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
From researching for a new car the Altima was at or near the top of most lists. full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2008 2dr Coupe 175-horsepower 2.5L I4
6-speed manual FWD
have owned Nissan before never any touble full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2008 2dr Coupe 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
Ive had the vehicle for 9 months and have put 13000 miles on it. Not 1 problem, I just keep up with the standard maintaince. And excellent reliability, I drive it 23 miles a day 1 way to work. And for durability no matter how hard I drive, it keep going. full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2008 2dr Coupe 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
My dad has had one for 6 years now with only the occasional light bulb going out as the only "repair" if you can call that a repair. I have had similar luck with my couple model also it is designed and put together in a superior fashion to the big three h full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2008 4dr Sedan 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
I put it through much strenuous driving. Sharp corners, fast acceleration, drag-strip races etc. The car runs like new at 50,000kms. Nissan had to reset driver side window switch once (for free). Besides that, no problems what-so-ever. full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2008 2dr Coupe 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed manual FWD
Car is approaching 60k and 5 years and still drives as new. Everything just continues to work. full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2008 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
my 2008 nissan altima has had a self starting issue. sometimes when locking the car doors with the remote the car will self start. this has happened at least 5 or six times in the last 5 months. when phoning nissan service they have indicated that this cant be happening. it is full 2008 Nissan Altima review
Nissan Altima Reliability And Durability: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2015 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4
CVT FWD
Don't really feel as if this car will last another three years without major problems. The CVT feels flaky like it can go out at any minute. full 2015 Nissan Altima review
2014 4dr Sedan 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
7-speed shiftable CVT FWD
CVT has been very unreliable. I had transmission issues after about 600 miles on this new car. It was difficult to recreate so it took a few months to get a dealer to address the issue. After the transmission was replaced it still had similar shakiness under light throttle. full 2014 Nissan Altima review
2013 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4
CVT FWD
To early to tell, but so far so good. full 2013 Nissan Altima review
2008 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
Past issues with engines concern me going forward full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2008 2dr Coupe 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
RUST, go to any scrap yard and you will see the proof. full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2008 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
the vehicle has a self starting issue. full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2007 4dr Sedan 158-horsepower 2.5L I4 Hybrid
CVT FWD
A lot of little quirks with the car. You do tend to have to visit the dealership a bit during the beginning. full 2007 Nissan Altima review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Reliability And Durability of the Nissan Altima

Nissan Altima Reliability And Durability: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2014 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4
CVT FWD
For 20k miles so far mailnly used as a commuter car and well, everything else too I don't see any issues other than the regular oil changes and tire rotations. Time will tell how well the CVT holds up but from Nissan's standpoint they had it for a long time and I expect it to hold up. FYI I did not do those "mandatory" maintenance checkups, mostly do it at the 30k mark. full 2014 Nissan Altima review
2010 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
I bought the 2010 Altima for the reliability and durability that Nissan's have been known for. Their styling is a notch better than Honda or Toyota. I have been driving the Altima for nearly 2 months now. I bought a pre-owned model for reduced depreciation. I drive my personal car for work purposes so this is why I went pre-owned (re-imbursed 0.42/mi). So far so good. I am averaging 30.2 mpg (city/highway). I am very satisfied with the economy. The 2.5L engine has performed well. The car was a lease return and was driven 9k miles/yr prior to my ownership. I hope to put 200k miles on this car before changing again. I have heard of the CVT having issues. Keeping my fingers crossed and will make sure to keep it maintained. Nissan raised the warranty on the CVT to 10/yr/120k miles. full 2010 Nissan Altima review
2009 4dr Sedan 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
Minimal problems full 2009 Nissan Altima review
2008 4dr Sedan 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
From researching for a new car the Altima was at or near the top of most lists. full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2008 2dr Coupe 175-horsepower 2.5L I4
6-speed manual FWD
have owned Nissan before never any touble full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2008 2dr Coupe 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
Ive had the vehicle for 9 months and have put 13000 miles on it. Not 1 problem, I just keep up with the standard maintaince. And excellent reliability, I drive it 23 miles a day 1 way to work. And for durability no matter how hard I drive, it keep going. full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2008 2dr Coupe 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
My dad has had one for 6 years now with only the occasional light bulb going out as the only "repair" if you can call that a repair. I have had similar luck with my couple model also it is designed and put together in a superior fashion to the big three h full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2008 4dr Sedan 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
I put it through much strenuous driving. Sharp corners, fast acceleration, drag-strip races etc. The car runs like new at 50,000kms. Nissan had to reset driver side window switch once (for free). Besides that, no problems what-so-ever. full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2008 2dr Coupe 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed manual FWD
Car is approaching 60k and 5 years and still drives as new. Everything just continues to work. full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2008 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
my 2008 nissan altima has had a self starting issue. sometimes when locking the car doors with the remote the car will self start. this has happened at least 5 or six times in the last 5 months. when phoning nissan service they have indicated that this cant be happening. it is full 2008 Nissan Altima review
Nissan Altima Reliability And Durability: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2015 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4
CVT FWD
Don't really feel as if this car will last another three years without major problems. The CVT feels flaky like it can go out at any minute. full 2015 Nissan Altima review
2014 4dr Sedan 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
7-speed shiftable CVT FWD
CVT has been very unreliable. I had transmission issues after about 600 miles on this new car. It was difficult to recreate so it took a few months to get a dealer to address the issue. After the transmission was replaced it still had similar shakiness under light throttle. full 2014 Nissan Altima review
2013 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4
CVT FWD
To early to tell, but so far so good. full 2013 Nissan Altima review
2008 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
Past issues with engines concern me going forward full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2008 2dr Coupe 270-horsepower 3.5L V6
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
RUST, go to any scrap yard and you will see the proof. full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2008 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4
6-speed shiftable CVT FWD
the vehicle has a self starting issue. full 2008 Nissan Altima review
2007 4dr Sedan 158-horsepower 2.5L I4 Hybrid
CVT FWD
A lot of little quirks with the car. You do tend to have to visit the dealership a bit during the beginning. full 2007 Nissan Altima review