The Forte splits into two extremes: one owner hit 750,000 miles on a 2018 model with obsessive oil changes every 10-15k, while others watched their engines grenade under 100k following the manual's 5,000-mile intervals. The 2.0L and 2.4L Theta II engines carry documented rod bearing and oil dilution issues covered by class-action lawsuits, Kia replaces engines under warranty, but you're betting on whether yours lasts 30k or 700k. Ignition coils on 2016+ models arc to the block instead of firing, causing misfires until you swap in upgraded parts. Pre-2022 models face theft risk and insurance headaches despite 2022+ having immobilizers. Buy it if you're the type who keeps service records in a binder and changes oil early; skip it if you treat maintenance as optional.
Two generations, two completely different stories. The 2007-2018 Altimas earned their brutal street reputation with CVT transmissions that failed around 100k miles even with proper maintenance, steering column locks that stranded owners in parking lots for $900, and dashboards that melted in the sun while Nissan looked the other way. The 2019+ redesign fixed the catastrophic mechanical issues and added segment-rare AWD, but arrives so damaged by its predecessors that resale value craters and nobody trusts the nameplate. Nissan's decade of subprime financing flooded roads with neglected examples driven into the ground, turning 'Altima driver' into a cultural punchline that obscures the current car's actual competence. Pre-2007 models with the VQ V6 and traditional automatics are legitimately durable. Anything 2007-2018 is a transmission time bomb. The 2019+ is a rational midsize sedan at a discount, but you're buying a car everyone assumes is terrible, plan on keeping it forever because resale is punishing.