The Nissan Altra spans 1998–2004 with 1 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. It delivers up to 85 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Nissan Altra is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1998 to 2004 across multiple generations.
How to read a Nissan Altra VIN — every digit explained
Every Nissan Altra carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Nissan and the country it was built in (real Nissan codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Altra.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- USA1N4 · 1N6 · 5BZ · 5N1
- Mexico3N1 · 3N6 · 3N8 · 3PC
- JapanJN1 · JN6 · JN8
- UKSJK
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Altra, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Nissan Altra have?
The Nissan Altra has 1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1998–2004. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2000 Nissan Altra recalls 1
Electrical System
What's wrong. On certain electric passenger vehicles. Due to a change in the integrated circuit for the motor control unit, the power supply unit can go into the fail-safe mode under the conditions of low battery charge and full acceleration at speeds greater than 30 miles per hour.
Risk. This can result in a sudden loss of power by the drive motor.
Fix. The lessors/operators of the 15 vehicles will be contacted and a technician will be sent to replace the motor control unit. Owner notification began july 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Best and worst years for the Nissan Altra
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Nissan Altra — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Nissan Altra problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Nissan Altra — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Nissan Altra specifications & dimensions
The 2004 Nissan Altra. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Nissan Altra window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Nissan Altra cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Altra holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Nissan Altra tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Nissan Altra get?
The Nissan Altra returns up to 85 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $900/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2000 Nissan Altra gets 85 MPGe and costs about $900/yr to fuel — that's about $6,500 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Altra | 81 | 91 | $900 | — | — | Electric |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Altra stacks up against the most fuel-efficient cars, or calculate this Altra's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Nissan Altra have? Power & range
The Nissan Altra is offered with 1 powertrain — Electric. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Electric motor | — | — | Electricity |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Nissan Altra cost to own?
A Nissan Altra tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used Altra is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Altra loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $4,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Altra ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Nissan Altra safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Altra yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Nissan Altra last?
A well-maintained Nissan Altra typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Nissan Altra’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Altra’s VIN free →All Nissan Altra model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Nissan Altra — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Altra | 0 | — | |
| 2002 Altra | 0 | — | |
| 2001 Altra | 0 | — | |
| 2000 Altra | 1 recall | — | |
| 1999 Altra | 0 | — | |
| 1998 Altra | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Altra?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Nissan Altra.
How many recalls does the Altra have?
1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1998–2004. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the Altra get?
Up to 85 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Altra last?
A well-maintained Altra typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Altra reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Altra is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Nissan Altra warranty?
New Nissan models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Nissan dealer.
Where is the Nissan Altra made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Altra's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Nissan may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Altra have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.