Insurance
$2,600/yr
Insurance, not maintenance, is this vehicle's dominant running cost: $2,600 a year on a national average against $520 for upkeep.
Nissan Altima Maintenance Cost (2016–2026)
Report ACI-NIS-ALTIMA · Updated July 2026 · Figures are ACI model estimates
Maintenance Cost Report ACI-NIS-ALTIMA
Nissan Altima
gas · midsize car · MY 2016–2026
- Avg annual cost
- $520
- 10-year total
- $5,195
- Cost rank
- #25 of 52 vehicles
- Major-repair chance, 5 yr
- 19%
Average Annual Cost $520
$43per month
4.3¢per mile
Assumes 12,000 mi/yr · independent shop · 10-year average · ACI model estimate
The Nissan Altima ranks #25 of 52 vehicles we track — mid-pack for annual maintenance cost.
What it costs as it ages
Annual cost by vehicle age · ACI modelVehicle age, years · figures at 12,000 mi/yr, independent shop
Costs stay under $500 a year through year 5, then climb as tires (set of 4) and other wear items come due.
Common services
Typical U.S. pricing · independent shop| Service | Typical cost | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Oil change (synthetic) | $85 | 7,500 mi |
| Cabin + engine air filters | $72 | 15,000 mi |
| Brake pads (front, pair) | $290 | 48,000 mi |
| Tires (set of 4) | $780 | 55,000 mi |
| CVT fluid exchange | $230 | 60,000 mi |
Your numbers
Table recalculates with the settings panel| Vehicle age | Annual cost | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Age 1 | $160 | $160 |
| Age 2 | $205 | $365 |
| Age 3 | $280 | $645 |
| Age 4 | $365 | $1,010 |
| Age 5 | $465 | $1,475 |
| 5-year total | $1,475 | $1,475 |
Ownership context
National averages · beyond the maintenance billCost rank
#25 of 52
The Nissan Altima ranks #25 of 52 vehicles we track — mid-pack for annual maintenance cost. One documented pattern: CVT reliability complaints across 2016–2020 cars, with extended transmission warranties on some years.
Gas service profile
5 routine items
Routine costs are fluid-and-wear driven: oil at 7,500-mile intervals, filters, brakes, and tires. Tires (set of 4) is the single largest routine bill at $780.
Against its rivals
Average annual maintenance · ACI model| Vehicle | Avg annual | 10-yr total | vs. Altima |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan AltimaThis page | $520 | $5,195 | — |
| Toyota Camry | $455 | $4,550 | −$65/yr |
| Honda Accord | $498 | $4,975 | −$22/yr |
Questions people ask
Is the Nissan Altima expensive to maintain?
It is about average. The Altima averages $520 a year in maintenance and typical repairs, ranking #25 of 52 vehicles on AutoCostIndex. That is mid-pack among vehicles we track.
What does a Nissan Altima cost to maintain per year?
$520 a year averaged over the first ten years — about $43 a month. Year 1 runs roughly $160; by year 10 the annual figure reaches $960. Ten-year total: $5,195.
What are the most common Altima services?
The routine items are oil change (synthetic) (~$85), cabin + engine air filters (~$72), brake pads (front, pair) (~$290). Intervals and full pricing for every service are in the table on this page.
What's not included in this estimate?
Fuel or charging, insurance (about $2,600 a year nationally for this vehicle), collision damage, parking, tolls, taxes, and registration. The figure covers scheduled maintenance plus typical age-related repairs, modeled per our methodology.
Keep exploring
More Nissan models
Similar running costs
Rankings & hubs
How we calculate this
Figures come from the ACI maintenance model: manufacturer service schedules priced at typical U.S. independent-shop rates, plus expected age-related repairs weighted by published reliability patterns. The calculator scales costs with mileage (wear factor) and shop choice. Figures are modeled estimates — your invoices will differ. Full detail on the methodology page.
SOURCES: ACI maintenance model v1 · manufacturer service schedules · 2026 U.S. parts & labor pricing · published reliability studies · Updated 2026-07-19