2014 Nissan Altima Life Expectancy - How Many Miles Will It Go?

Are you going to buy a used Altima? Or are you already an owner of the Nissan sedan? Anyway, you will find some great facts in this article regarding this car, so read on and find out how many miles can different versions of the Altima go and when you should sell it. Also, the information presented here will help you avoid problems and not buy a bad used Altima.

Today, we'll tell you more about the life expectancy of the 2014 Nissan Altima. We'll pay attention to engines, transmissions, their longevity, and common problems. Also, we'll look at possible habits that will prolong the life of your vehicle or that will limit its lifespan and take some money out of your pocket.

Here's what we'll discuss today:

• The 2014 Altima - some facts about the vehicle.
• How long can the 2014 Nissan Altima go without problems?
• What are the common problems of the Altima you can face?
• What can you do to drive your Nissan sedan for more time?

Let's get started!

What do we know about the 2014 Altima?

The vehicle has been in production since 1992. In 2014, the fifth generation of the Altima was in production (up to 2019 when the new fifth-gen Altima appeared). So, we'll basically be speaking about the 2013-2018 Nissan Altima and its longevity and common problems you can face with it.

So, the vehicle was extremely popular in the US. In 2014 alone Nissan sold over 335,000 Altimas in the US. That's a lot and we can say the Altima was one of the most popular sedan models this year. Also, the fifth generation was one of the most successful. It wasn't thanks to its quality and problem-free nature, obviously.

Here's what you should know about the 2014 Altima:

• the base engine (2.5L L4) wasn't really popular, instead, nearly all buyers were willing to pay more for the 3.5L V6 engine that was available in better trims and versions;
• the only available transmission was Jatco X-Tronic CVT which is the first bad news for any Altima owner;
• wonderful fuel economy and also great comfort along with beautiful design made the vehicle one of the best in the class and hence popular;
• the 2014 Altima offers a very spacious interior with astonishingly comfortable seats and great technologies for an enjoyable ride;
• the main competition comes from the Camry, Mazda 6, Volkswagen Passat, Chevy Malibu, and also Ford Fusion, but the competition is not limited to these models only.

In 2014, this vehicle was actually a revolutionary sedan that could take you to hundreds of miles a day without any problems with your back. Yes, people loved what they got and that's why the Altima kept selling like crazy. And now we know for sure that a lot of owners wouldn't buy the Altima now after they have had it for 8 years.

What's the problem with this car? Well, like nearly all Nissan cars, it's not that durable and throws some bad surprises at you now and then. Again, we can't say the vehicle is bad. It just has some common faults and issues that you have to be aware of. If you are not, you will be quite surprised to see expensive units malfunction after just a few thousand miles.

How long will your 2014 Nissan Altima go?

It's pretty hard to predict the lifespan that would suit all Altimas, so we should talk about average miles. According to customer reviews, an average Altima will last about 220,000 miles. But we perfectly know that this figure will not be that optimistic in the majority of cases. Why? Because Altima is not always driven carefully.

This is the vehicle that will suffer a lot from abusive driving or lack of maintenance. All units in this Nissan need good maintenance and they only need original parts and fluids to function well. Otherwise, the average life expectancy will drop to 120,000 - 150,000 miles. Is this a good longevity for quite an expensive sedan car? We don't think so.

What units will be the first to give up in the 2014 Altima?

Both engines, the 2.5 4-cylinder and the 3.5 V6 are really good and they can go 200,000 miles and even more without any need for a serious and expensive repair. You need to change oil and filters, control the electrical system, and ensure optimal fuel supply and these engines will work like horses with no bad issues.

Overhauling them makes no sense, they can be replaced if they are worn out completely. But this is too expensive for any car that is over 200K miles because all other parts will soon need replacement.

The transmission is a pain in your neck. The CVT transmission in Nissan cars will go up to 150,000 miles in a best-case scenario. Most owners report first transmission problems at 100,000 miles or even sooner. Even good maintenance will not save you from these problems. Unfortunately, repairing these transmissions is a very expensive and sometimes worthless task - you should replace them.

We can't say that with the death of the transmission your Altima dies. You can replace the CVT unit and drive another 100,000 miles and this is what we recommend. The transmission replacement cost is up to $4,500 if you want t new transmission. A used one will be cheaper but again, there is no sense in buying a used CVT. A decent repair will cost about $2,200 or more.

What about body rust?

That's weird to say but Altimas really rust very early. The first spots of rust you will see near the rearview camera, just under the paint. This rust is hard to avoid and it will not develop really fast, so, owners often forget about it and never repair it.

Also, the 2014 Altima may show some rust under the vehicle. Its belly can rust at 50,000 miles which is extremely early for a vehicle of that kind.

Body rust is an issue that is under warranty, so you can get it fixed for nothing if your car is still under warranty. If not, you will have to pay to get it sandblasted and repainted. Unfortunately, after that, the rust will certainly reappear at the same spot and will get on your nerves in a year or two.

If you see some rust in this vehicle, the best decision is to show it to a dealer (if the warranty is still working) or to a specialist in car painting. You will get some solutions and will be able to choose what you want to do with your vehicle.

If the body rust is ignored, in a year it will be a body hole and the car will lose its price rapidly. Moreover, it will get a really bad look, so driving it won't be a pleasure anymore.

What are other common issues with the 2014 Altima?

Sensors of your engine. Nissan recalled Altima because of the crankshaft and camshaft sensors. If your vehicle wasn't repaired under the recall, you should show it to your dealer.

Pre-cat failure. At 80,000 miles or earlier, pre-cats in the 3.5 V6 engine may fail and this will require some investment. Unfortunately, the OEM converters cost too much, so you will need some money for that.

Fuel pump issues. Yes, this will not influence your longevity much, but this problem will certainly spoil your mood once it occurs in the middle of a highway.

Coolant leaks. Again, they aren't connected directly to longevity, but they may lead to sooner engine death or problems with transmission overheating. Watch out for any coolant leaks and avoid them at all costs.

Electrical issues. Usually, they start with the symptom of the engine cranking but not starting. Then, the issues may spread to other units and parts of your vehicle.

What can you do to prolong the life of your 2014 Altima?

The fifth-generation Altima is not bad at all and if it goes over 200,000 miles in your hands you may be considered a very careful driver that provides TLC for your vehicle.

If you want to drive your Altima for more miles and years, you should remember these tips:

• pay attention to regular maintenance and never ignore it because this is the key factor in longevity;
• always react to those errors and messages on your dash - this Altima has a strong self-diagnosis system;
• use only good premium gas and never experiment with fuel from unauthorized pumps;
• buy good original fluids that are recommended for this vehicle;
• check the transmission and avoid overheating at all costs, this may be one of the most important tips for you.

Final words

We know that Altima is not the most durable vehicle in the class. But it's still a decent sedan with wonderful ride qualities and comfort. If you want to buy it used, never buy an Altima with more than 150,000 miles on it. Also, check its records and check if it was involved in accidents. A good diagnosis by an experienced mechanic is important before you pay money for such a vehicle.