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2021 Nissan Altima maintenance schedule

The 2021 Altima is part of the L34 generation (2019-2025), sold as a sedan. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, the problems owners report for this year, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2021 Altima needs, and when

8 of these 11 items come from Nissan's own published schedule. Manufacturer rows link to Nissan's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide. Rows marked Unverified have no source Carlyle could confirm and are shown for completeness.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter

Ensure strict adherence for VC-Turbo

5,000 mi / 6 monthsManufacturer
Engine air filter

Replace up to 30,000 miles

15,000 miManufacturer
Cabin air filter

Replace up to 30,000 miles

15,000 miManufacturer
Tire rotation

Perform at oil change

5,000 mi / 6 monthsManufacturer
Brake fluid

Inspect at 15,000 miles

30,000 miIndependent
Engine coolant

Check every 3 months

30,000 miManufacturer
Transmission fluid

Inspect every 10,000 miles

60,000 mi / 6 yearsManufacturer
Spark plugs

Major service interval

105,000 miIndependent
Serpentine belt

Inspect every 10,000 miles / 12 months

Inspect, replace as neededManufacturer
PCV valveInspect, replace as neededUnverified
12V battery

Replace every 3-5 years

3 yearsManufacturer

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them. Services we could not find an interval for are left off rather than guessed.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Coolant
Nissan Blue Long Life Coolant
Transmission fluid
Nissan CVT Fluid NS-3

Powertrains in this generation

  • 2.5L 4-cyl (PR25DD), 188 hp, CVT, FWD / AWD
  • 2.0L 4-cyl (KR20DDET), 248 hp, CVT, FWD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Known problems

What 2021 Altima owners run into

Problems reported for this model year, with the mileage they tend to show up at. Buying past a window is not automatically a pass - it just needs to be priced in.

Bearing Failure (VC-Turbo)

high severity

Rough idle, stall, metallic oil

Source: openclassactions.com

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA recalls for the 2021 Nissan Altima

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Nissan dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

Back over prevention

NHTSA 23V628000

September 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 vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

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 rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C3.

Steering

NHTSA 21V138000

March 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 steering knuckle.

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 31, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PC795.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$483

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other Altima model years

L34 (2019-2025)

2019202020212022202320242025

L33 (2014-2018)

20142015201620172018

Shopping new? The Nissan Altima guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-16. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running an Altima for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2021 Altima earns before you buy it.

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