Buick Regal vs Nissan Altima
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Sep 23, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Buick Regal
- Total complaints
- 3,218
- Avg per model year
- 99
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 30
- Most complained year
- 1998 (302)
Top problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical System, Engine
Nissan Altima
- Total complaints
- 15,476
- Avg per model year
- 469
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 50
- Most complained year
- 2013 (2,310)
Top problems: Power Train, Air Bags, Engine and Engine Cooling
Complaints by model year
| Year | Buick Regal | Nissan Altima | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 19 | 231 | ||
| 2018 | 19 | 225 | ||
| 2017 | 20 | 391 | ||
| 2016 | 41 | 553 | ||
| 2015 | 33 | 953 | ||
| 2014 | 38 | 1,114 | ||
| 2013 | 91 | 2,310 | ||
| 2012 | 92 | 425 | ||
| 2011 | 279 | 241 | ||
| 2005 | 4 | 1,091 | ||
| 2004 | 66 | 276 | ||
| 2003 | 101 | 883 | ||
| 2002 | 117 | 1,047 | ||
| 2001 | 187 | 159 | ||
| 2000 | 184 | 160 | ||
| 1999 | 246 | 87 | ||
| 1998 | 302 | 123 | ||
| 1997 | 136 | 108 | ||
| 1996 | 204 | 92 | ||
| 1995 | 173 | 180 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.