U.S. vehicle reference
2021 Nissan Altima MPG, Fuel Cost and Recalls
2021 Nissan Altima MPG and annual fuel cost by engine, with EPA ratings and NHTSA recall records below.
At a glance
2021 Nissan Altima reference
Use the summary to orient yourself, then open the exact engine, drivetrain and source record below.
2021 Nissan Altima MPG by engine and drivetrain
EPA combined ratings run from 29 to 32 mpg across 6 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
| Engine / transmission | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cylinderAutomatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 28 mpg | 39 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,900 | 281 g/mi |
| 2.5L 4-cylinderAutomatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 27 mpg | 37 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,000 | 290 g/mi |
| 2.5L 4-cylinderAutomatic (variable gear ratios) · All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 26 mpg | 35 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,100 | 295 g/mi |
| 2.5L 4-cylinderAutomatic (variable gear ratios) · All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 25 mpg | 34 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,100 | 309 g/mi |
| 2.5L 4-cylinderAutomatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 27 mpg | 37 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,000 | 289 g/mi |
| 2.0L 4-cylinder turboAutomatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 25 mpg | 34 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,100 | 311 g/mi |
Annual fuel figures are the EPA snapshot at the source date. The calculator below uses the separately dated fuel-price record and your inputs, so the estimates may differ.
2021 Nissan Altima annual fuel cost calculator
Start with the combined MPG for 2.5L 4-cylinder, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Front-Wheel Drive. Replace it with your measured gas mileage and local pump price for a personal budget.
Formula annual miles ÷ MPG × gasoline price
Fuel cost per mile equals gasoline price divided by MPG. Multiply by your annual mileage for a yearly fuel budget. Add maintenance to estimate cost per mile.
2021 Nissan Altima recall campaigns
NHTSA returned 2 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY · 21V138000
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 23V628000
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.
2021 Nissan Altima NHTSA safety ratings
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Altima 4 DR AWD | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| 2021 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2021 Nissan Altima gas mileage?
EPA combined ratings run from 29 to 32 mpg across 6 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
Are these real-world MPG figures for the Altima?
These are EPA ratings, not owner-reported mileage. Use your measured MPG in the calculator to estimate your own fuel budget. The configuration table keeps city, highway and combined ratings separate.
Does the 2021 Nissan Altima have recalls?
NHTSA returned 2 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
Does annual fuel cost include servicing or insurance?
No. The EPA cost and the calculator cover fuel only. Use the cost-per-mile calculator to add a maintenance allowance. Insurance, depreciation, finance costs and registration are separate ownership expenses.
Compare similar vehicles
Sources and record dates
U.S. EPA FuelEconomy.gov vehicle dataset Accessed 2026-09-05U.S. EIA public gasoline price table Accessed 2026-09-05NHTSA Recalls API Accessed 2026-09-04NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API Accessed 2026-09-05Last updated