2007 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 498 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2007 reports, 30 involved a crash and 22 involved a fire. 16 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bagsOct 7, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Campaign 08V521000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignition, moduleDec 28, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) REPLACED DURING SERVICE AT A DEALERSHIP, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY DEACTIVATED DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE DEALER SERVICE SOFTWARE. IF THE TPMS IS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT ALERT THE DRIVER TO A DECREASE IN THE TIRE PRESSURE AS DESIGNED.
DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IS UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TPMS FUNCTION AND REACTIVATE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 07V599000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingJun 21, 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, IF A SUFFICIENTLY HOT OBJECT ENTERS THE AIR FILTER HOUSING THROUGH THE ENGINE FRESH AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND CONTACTS THE ENGINE AIR FILTER, THE FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL ARE SUCH THAT THE FILTER MAY IGNITE.
IF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL IGNITES, A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR FILTER WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS IMPROVED ANTI-FLAMMABILITY MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 3, 2007, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 07V267000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
62 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Aug 18, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE IGNITION START BUTTON WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING IN PARK. SHE STATED THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED AWAY AT LEAST SIX TIMES IN REVERSE AND FORWARD. DEPENDING ON THE INCLINE, THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE IGNITION TO STOP THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED SHIFTING TO PARK BEFORE EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
Power train, Dec 7, 2009
I OWN A 2007 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION NISSAN ALTIMA THAT PERSISTENTLY MALFUNCTIONS. SINCE THAT NOVEMBER DATE AND HAVING REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP ON JANUARY 5, 2009, I HAVE EXPERIENCED ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS WITH PASSENGERS, THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT UPSHIFT, WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT, NOR RELEASE FROM THE POSITION IT WAS IN. AFTER REPEATEDLY RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME UNDER WARRANTY REPAIR, THE SAME PROBLEM PERSISTS TO DATE! DESPITE THE DEALERSHIPS CLAIM OF CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER AND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT, PRESSURE PLATE AND DISC REPLACEMENT, I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL CEASE TO OCCUR, AS IT IS IDIOPATHIC AND THE RE-OCCURRENCE IS UNPREDICTABLE. THUS, OPERATING THIS VEHICLE COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTAL INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. I CONTINUE TO REPORT MY CONCERN TO NISSAN NORTH AMERICA USA AND TO DATE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY SATISFACTION TO QUELL THE UNSAFE FEAR FACTOR IN OWNING AND OPERATING THIS VEHICLE THAT HAS NOT OWNED UP TO THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER'S MONIKER, "MADE TO DRIVE. BUILT TO LAST." THIS INTERNET CORRESPONDENCE SERVES AS MY OFFICIAL COMPLAINT AND REQUEST FOR THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION REGARDING THE 2007 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION NISSAN ALTIMA. *TR
Power train, Oct 13, 2009
I OWNED A 2007 ALTIMA AT THE TIME. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH. IF EMERGENCY BRAKES ARE SLAMMED AND LOCKUP UNTIL VEHICLE COMES TO COMPLETE STOP THE THROTTLE BECOMES TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE FOR UP TO 1 MINUTE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME AT AN INTERSECTION AND SCARED THE'!@#$% OUT OF ME. SIMILAR THING OCCURRED A FEW DAYS LATER. I DECIDED TO TEST IF THIS ISSUE CAN BE DUPLICATED. IT CAN WITH ALMOST 100% ACCURACY. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP. DUPLICATED THE ISSUE FOR THEIR CONFIRMATION AND LEFT CAR FOR EXAMINATION. ACCORDING TO SERVICE REP "IT IS TO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE CAR IN THIS CONDITION\". A FEW HOURS LATER GOT A CALL FROM DEALER WITH THE FOLLOWING EXPLANATION. THEY TESTED THIS ISSUE AND WERE ABLE TO REPEAT IT ON 3 IDENTICAL CARS. APPARENTLY MANUFACTURER TOLD THEM THAT THIS IS AN EXPECTED BEHAVIOR TO PROTECT CERTAIN COMPONENTS OF A CAR TRANSMISSION. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH NISSAN USA AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A DEFECT BUT A DESIGN TO PROTECT TRANSMISSION. I HAVE TAKEN SEVERAL OTHER ALTIMAS FOR TEST DRIVE AND SPOKE TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE. APPARENTLY THIS ISSUE AFFECTS ALL ALTIMAS EQUIPPED WITH CVT BUT NOT WITH ABS. I BELIEVE THAT ABS ALLOWS TRANSMISSION TO ROTATE THUS CORRECTING THE ISSUE. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED NOT BEEN ABLE TO MOVE A CAR FOR UP TO A MINUTE AFTER AN EMERGENCY BRAKING COULD BE MORE DANGEROUS THEN THE EMERGENCY ITSELF. CAN YOU VISUALIZE YOUR SELF BEING STUCK AT AN INTERSECTION (HAPPENED TO ME) OR ON A HIGHWAY? THIS ISSUE CAN BE EASILY DUPLICATED . I HAVE TRADED MY CAR IN AS I WAS TOO SCARED TO DRIVE IT. *TR
Power train, Sep 1, 2009
FOLLOW UP TO COMPLAINT NUMBER 10198578. THE ENTIRE CVT TRANSMISSION WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED WHILE THE CAR HAD ONLY 4500 MILES ON IT. AT AROUND 60,000 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (8/31/09) SO I TOOK IT TO DO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY RECEIVED TRANSMISSION CODES. NISSAN HEADQUARTERS GOT INVOLVED AND DETERMINED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. THIS WILL BE MY THIRD TRANSMISSION ON A CAR THAT IS A LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS OLD AND HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES ON IT. NISSAN HAS SAID THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS HAVE HAD FEW PROBLEMS, AND INSTEAD OF REPAIRING THEM, THEY ARE JUST GETTING REPLACED. NO FURTHER EXPLANATION WAS GIVEN. I THINK IT'S RIDICULOUS. *TR
Power train, Aug 6, 2009
AFTER 14,000 MILES OF USE THE CLUTCH FAILED TO ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING UP HILL AND SHIFTING LOST ALL DRIVE GEARS AND FORWARD POWER. STRANDED IN TRAFFIC UNABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. PROBLEM WAS THAT THE CLUTCH HAD BURNED OUT WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUTCH DISC. *TR
Power train, Visibility, Air bags, Structure, Feb 2, 2008
PURCHASED A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. 1. FIRST PROBLEM STARTED WHEN I HEARD A LOUD RATTLING NOISE WHEN I START THE CAR (THIS WAS 2 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR). INCREASE RPM TO 1.5 RPM TO GET A LOUDER, CRISPER NOISE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAT SHIELD WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TOOK 2 WEEKS FOR THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOISE WENT AWAY. 2. NOISE CAME BACK AGAIN 2 WEEKS LATER AFTER IT WAS FIXED. BROUGHT IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT TO GET DIFFERENT OPINION. FINDS OUT THE HEAT SHIELD WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. RESOLVED, AND LATER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS NOISE. 3. HAD A 110LB PASSENGER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT TURNED ON. HAVE YET TO GO TO THE DEALER TO SEE WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. 4. AFTER ALL THIS, I START THE CAR ON DECEMBER 10TH, 2008 AND DID NOT WARM UP CAR. WHEN STARTING TO ACCELERATE CAR ON STREET, CLICKING NOISES STARTED TO EMERGE. WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH MOTOR OR THE BELT. NOISE STARTS DISAPPEARING WHEN THE CAR IS WARMED UP (AFTER 8 MINUTES) DECIDED TO TEST IT OUT BY WARMING UP THE CAR FIRST LATER IN THE DAY AFTER IT HAD COOLED DOWN, AND THEN DRIVING IT, CLICKING SOUND EMERGED AGAIN. BOUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND TOLD THEM TO MAKE SURE TO CHECK NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS COLD (GIVER OR TAKE 3 HOURS), THEY DID NOT LISTEN AND CHECKED IT WHEN WARM, WHEN THERE IS NO CLICKING OCCURS. DEEMED FINE. 5. BRAKE SQUEALS ONCE IN A WHILE WHEN USED. HAVE YET TO CHECK THIS ONE OUT TO THE DEALERSHIP. 6. ON A MORNING OF JAN. 2, 2008, I HAVE STARTED THE CAR ONLY TO NOTICE THAT THE AIR MODE HAS SWITCHED FROM DEFROST/FOOT AIR MODE TO FOOT MODE. I THOUGHT THE AIR CONTROL UNIT WAS SUPPOSED TO MEMORIZE THE LAST TIME I HAD THE MODE ON BUT ONCE EVERY OFTEN, IT SWITCHES BACK TO THE FOOT AIR MODE PLUS TURNING ON THE A/C EVERY TIME THE CAR STARTS. COMPUTER PROBLEM MAYBE? HAVE YET TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS. *TR
Power train, Nov 29, 2007
CAR PURCHASED NEW 9/07. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PURCHASE CAR BEGAN SHAKING WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OVER 60MPH. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR SAME PROBLEM 4 TIMES BETWEEN 10/07 TO PRESENT AT DEALERSHIP WITH UNSUCCESSFUL REPAIR OF PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Oct 2, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AS THE PASSENGER WAS EXITING. THE DOOR BENT BACKWARDS AND SCRATCHED THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT JUMPED INTO THE MOVING VEHICLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500. THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER INJURED HER ARM, WHEN SHE TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE ROLLING VEHICLE. UPDATED 12/12/07
Power train, Aug 6, 2007
AFTER HEATING UP (AN HOUR OR SO OF DRIVING), THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO FAIL. PUSH THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN, AND THE RPM'S GO WAY UP, BUT CAR BARELY ACCELERATES. FIRST ATTEMPT AT DEALERSHIP, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. A DAY LATER, THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. THE SECOND ATTEMPT, THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. A DAY LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE THIRD TIME. CAR ONLY HAS 4,500 MILES ON IT. BEGINNING TO GET PRETTY FRUSTRATING. *TR
Power train, Jul 3, 2007, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CONTACT PULLED OVER, PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE QUICKLY CAUGHT FIRE ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AND CONSUMED THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH IT'S CONTENTS IN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT LOOSE POWER WHILE IT WAS ON FIRE, BUT BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED IT DID LOOSE ITS GAS PRESSURE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE THE CONTACT COULD SEE LIQUID BURNING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SMELL GAS BEFORE THE FIRE. THE DRIVER RECEIVED BRUISES EXCITING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 3,500. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE WHEN HE STOPPED. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR
Power train, Apr 26, 2007
ON SOME MINOR SLOPES, BUT NOT ALL, THE CVT TRANSMISSION-EQUIPPED 2007 ALTIMA WILL ROLL BACKWARDS SEVERAL FEET WHILE IN "DRIVE" POSING A HAZARD TO OBJECTS AND PERSONS BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THIS IS CONSISTENTLY REPRODUCIBLE IN OUR HOME DRIVEWAY BUT NOT ON STEEPER SLOPES SUCH AS A PARKING GARAGE. THE SURPRISING CONDITION CAUSED MY WIFE TO PANIC AND ALMOST LOSE CONTROL, NEARLY STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN VERY RESPONSIVE. HOWEVER, AS OF THIS POSTING, NISSAN NORTH AMERICA ACKNOWLEDGES BUT REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Jan 27, 2007
1.)WHEN THE CAR WARM UPS AFTER 15-20 MINUTES, THE SLIP AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT COME ON. 2.) THE SPEEDOMETER FAILS, THE WIPERS SOMETIMES FAIL (IN THE RAIN!), AND NOW THE HEADLIGHT GO ON OFF BY THEMSELVES (AT NIGHT!!!) 3.) THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THEY ADJUSTED A LOSE WIRE 1ST, SECOND THEY REPLACED AN ABS ACTUATOR, THE 3RD TIME AT THE DEALER THEY ORDERED A TRANSMISSION COMPUTER GIZMO (IS ON ORDER AND NOT REPLACED). *NM