NissanAltima2021Overview/nissan/altima/2021/base/

2021 Nissan Altima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Altima.

Transmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2021 Nissan Altima utilizes an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios and achieves an EPA-estimated 28/39/32 mpg, requiring 5.0 quarts of 5W-30 engine oil. This model year is marked by 68 total owner complaints and two recalls, with reported issues primarily involving the service brakes and forward collision avoidance. Within the 1993-2025 model history, this volume of complaints is significantly lower than the 2013 peak of 2,304.

Model year20252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy28/39/32 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 510 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F1E. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 510 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/40R19 92VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F1E
Engine air filter165466CA0A alt 165466CB0A
Spark plug224016LD1C alt 224015NA1C
Front wiper blades288906CA1A alt 288906CA0A
Serpentine belt117206CA0B alt 117205NA0B
Thermostat21200ED00A alt 21049ED00B
Cabin air filterH72776CA1J

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.9 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase111.4 in
Curb weight3406 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 63.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined28 / 39 / 32 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume101 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Altima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.80 sec — 2021 SR VC-Turbo
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021SR VC-Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-45.80 sec14.30 sec248 hpFWD
2020SR 2.5L I-47.40 sec15.80 sec182 hpAWD
2019Platinum VC-Turbo Edition One 2.0L Turbo I-45.90 sec14.50 sec248 hpFWD
2019Platinum VC-Turbo Edition One 2.0L Turbo I-46.10 sec14.60 sec248 hpFWD
2019Platinum VC-Turbo Edition One 2.0L Turbo I-46.10 sec14.60 sec248 hpFWD
2019SR VC-Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-46.10 sec14.50 sec248 hpFWD
2019SV 2.5L I-47.40 sec15.70 sec182 hpAWD
2019Platinum 2.5L I-47.60 sec15.80 sec182 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, Synthetic · GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to Use a new washer: 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidNissan CVT NS-3 Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.6 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidNissan CVT NS-3 Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.8 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · GL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.58 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts80.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts80.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new washer: 25.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new washer: 25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: 26.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFinal Drive: Use a new washer: 26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugUse a new gasket: 26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugUse a new gasket: 26.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Setting Speed: 675 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Checking Speed: 675 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Setting Speed: 650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.10-1.32 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Oil Capacity4.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance510 cca

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
117.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 52.0 inch lbs., Step 3: 84.0 inch lbs.17 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bracket Bolts1.4 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60°22 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
131.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-96°31 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120°, Step 3: 120°30 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
129.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 75-80°, Step 3: 75-80°29 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1029 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-418 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-418 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miDriveshaft (inspect)
Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 10,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Keyless Entry Remote Battery (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Nissan Altima sits in a favorable position within the recent federal record, with 68 complaints, 2 recalls, 2 investigations, and 109 TSBs — all down substantially from the 2019 level of 224 complaints, 7 recalls, and 186 TSBs and continuing the downward trajectory seen into 2022 and 2023. Relative to the 2013–2018 period, which peaked at 2,304 complaints and 12 recalls in 2013, 2021 is far quieter, though it still outpaces the very low complaint counts of 2022 (20) and 2023 (29). The leading complaint categories for 2021 are Service Brakes/Forward Collision Avoidance (10), Electrical System (8), Forward Collision Avoidance (5), and Engine (4), with 6 crash-related and 1 fire-related complaint; the data does not specify root causes. This places 2021 in the middle of a clear maturation arc, after the higher activity of 2019–2020 but before the even lower counts of later model years. For a used-car buyer, that makes 2021 a comparatively solid choice, though not the cleanest year available.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
109
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
68
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 68 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance10
Electrical System8
Forward Collision Avoidance5
Engine4
Steering,Suspension,Service Brakes3
Unknown Or Other3
Latches/Locks/Linkages2
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V138000Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod AssemblyReported 04/03/2021

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the… Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The began March…

23V628000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 08/09/2023

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these… Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 109 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB15-049CC2026-03-30Electrical SystemTELEMATICS SERVICE INFORMATION HINT: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a 4G…
NTB19-042F2025-02-20Electrical SystemAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING APPLIED SYSTEMS: Vehicles equipped…
NTB19-033G2025-02-20Forward Collision AvoidanceINTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Altima. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Altima take?

5.0 qt of Nissan Genuine Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Altima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Altima get?

EPA figures are 28 city / 39 highway / 32 combined mpg.