2014 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Exterior lighting is the leading concern among 1,113 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2014 reports, 51 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 58 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchMay 28, 2020
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2018 Nissan Altima vehicles. If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.
Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, a warning label near the secondary hood latch, and an Owners Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: Recall 16V-029 remains open for any unremedied 2013-2015 Altimas and this recall applies to all vehicles covered by 16V-029 even if those repairs have already been performed.
Campaign 20V315000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationDec 19, 2016
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima vehicles manufactured January 3, 2013, to July 29, 2013, 2015-2016 Rogue vehicles manufactured October 14, 2014, to August 12, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured June 4, 2015, to August 19, 2015. An incorrect Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have been installed in the front passenger seat. The incorrect ECU and seat combination may misclassify the front passenger seat occupant.
If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 16V911000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationApr 26, 2016
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Campaign 16V244000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchJan 22, 2016
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to December 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
These vehicles were previously included in recalls 14V-565 and 15V-116, however the previous remedy plan may not have been performed consistently to remove the safety risk. To correct this issue, Nissan will re-notify all affected owners and dealers will replace the hood latch with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on February 17, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 14V-565 and 15V-116.
Campaign 16V029000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalOct 20, 2015
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 15V681000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineAug 4, 2015
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the agency on July 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 18, 2015. On October 14, 2015, Nissan expanded the recall to cover an additional 41,388 vehicles, including certain model year 2013-2015 Altima 3.5 vehicles equipped with a V6 engine manufactured March 30, 2012, to August 18, 2015 as well as the vehicles covered by the July 31, 2015 notification. In the affected vehicles, due to an improperly installed o-ring that may not have been seated correctly at the time of assembly, fuel may leak during a crash from the area where the fuel sending unit attaches to the fuel tank.
If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit. The recall began on September 28, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 15V486000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchFeb 27, 2015
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will be instructed to modify the bend angle of the hood actuation lever to eliminate potential interference with the hood inner panel. In addition, dealers will clean and lubricate the latch joint as needed. If significant corrosion is observed, the latch assembly will be replaced. This repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-565.
Campaign 15V116000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, softwareMar 25, 2014
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 14V138000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: exterior lighting
299 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 19, 2023
Head Lamps (Lights) stop working properly. New ballast and lights where installed after detected the Malfunction and still no lighting. I no longer can see when I'm driving at night. Yes vehicle have been inspected by police and dealer.
Exterior lighting, Jul 1, 2023
When driving at night or low light areas headlights are very dim. The road in front of vehicle is very dark I have use high beams to see.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 12, 2023
My Altima is 9 years old now and I know things go bad overtime but my headlights are so dim I can’t see 2 feet in front of me at night snd it’s very very dangerous. I know Nissan had s class action and I was signed up and even had an appointment to fix but sadly my husband got shit while driving home from work in Chicago, he survived thankfully but the next several months revolves around him and doctor appointments, surgeries,etc… and I missed my slot. I think it’s very unfair because these we’re getting dimmer and dimmer since 2016-2017 with the past 3 years so fin you can’t see at all. I’m so afraid I’m going to be able to see and hurt someone badly, and that would kill me in itself!! I personally am not financially able to replace these yet bc it’s pubs 1500-3000 to fix if need be. Thank you [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Exterior lighting, May 31, 2023
I tried to have my headlights replaced in 2020 but they told me to wait there was a lawsuit going about this. After it was resolved I had to go online and fill out some info to get on the list. Then I was told they had to order headlights for me. I had to call Nissan corporate office to get on the list. But still my headlight are not fix because they do not have headlights for me.
Exterior lighting, Feb 12, 2023
These lights are so dim, even after switching bulbs it’s like I have 2 iPhone flashlights on the front of my car, I can’t see anything at night without using my brights. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve almost crashed due to low visibility from these dim head lights. I think they have delaminated. No specific date of incident, everyday it’s an issue
Exterior lighting, Jan 30, 2023
The reflecting mechanism in the headlamps are causing the headlights to display a dim light. It makes it difficult to be able to see past about 5ft and extremely difficult to see at night, the vehicle has been inspected by a dealership and an auto shop. The problem started a couple months ago but there was no indicator or warning before the problem occurred.
Exterior lighting, Jan 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact reviewed Case No.3:21-cv-00393-WLC-AN (Halogen Headlamps “Class Vehicles”) a settlement; however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact experienced a failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Exterior lighting, Dec 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that after obtaining the vehicle, it was discovered that while driving at night, the low-beam headlights did not properly illuminate and were extremely dim causing a visibility hazard to the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Exterior lighting, Dec 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and at various speeds at night, the low-beam headlights were very dim; requiring the contact to use the high-beam headlights to illuminate the roadway. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the halogen headlights needed to be replaced. The contact was told that the headlights were under the Manufacturer Recall Number: PC890 (Halogen Headlamps). The contact was advised that the parts to perform the recall replacement were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.
Exterior lighting, Dec 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the headlights were dim. The high beam headlights were used while driving but was distracting to the oncoming drivers. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact changed the headlight bulbs; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact that the parts were backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 29, 2022
Nissan has issued a replacement of headlights but parts are unavailable. Car is unsafe to drive during hours of darkness. I spoke with both the dealer (Coggin Nissan on Atlantic, Jacksonville, FL and Nissan this morning. Parts were ordered in August but as of today there is no indication as to when they will be available. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I cannot use this car safely between dusk and dawn.
Exterior lighting, Nov 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH or various speeds at night, the headlights were extremely dim. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the headlight bulbs needed to be replaced, however the parts were on a national back order. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 8, 2022
My headlights started getting dim about a year ago. I took my car to Firestone and they replaced them. Just a month or so later, I found out that there was a recall in the works. I finally received notification of the recall. I took my car to Nissan of Rockwall and had it tested and was advised that it did meet the qualifications for headlight replacement. This was in June 2022. I was told that the headlights had to be ordered and I was on the list. I have called several times and have been told that I am still on the list and that due to supply chain issues, they still have not received them. My headlights are so dim, that if the street is not well lit, it is very difficult for me to see to safely drive. I don't have the funds to rent another car, but what am I to do if this continues. I will have to drive with my bright lights on. I drive to and from work in the dark every weekday.
Exterior lighting, Nov 3, 2022
HEADLAMPS DON'T ILLUMINATE THE ROAD ON LOW SETTING. DEALER FIRST DENIED A PROBLEM APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AGO.RECENTLY RETURNED TO DEALER AND THEY SAID WE HAD MISSED THE RECALL DATE,WHICH WE NEVER RECEIVED.
Exterior lighting, Oct 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at night at an undisclosed speed, the headlights failed to provide adequate illumination. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Sep 15, 2022, crash
The visibility of the headlamps at normal brightness are very dim. I have read about numerous lawsuits regarding this, including a class action, but when I have gone to the dealer with the information postcard that I received in the mail, I am told by Nissan that I am "outside of the window" to have them replaced with newer brighter lamps. Per the website for the class action lawsuit, it should be for 2013-2018 Nissan Altimas ([XXX], et al. v. Nissan North America, Inc., Case No.[XXX]) http://www.altimaheadlightsettlement.com/ I feel that Nissan is avoiding this issue, although there are MANY Nissan Altimas that have headlights that are not hardly bright at all. I personally had at least one issue with a deer strike that I believe could have been prevented if my headlights worked properly. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Exterior lighting, Sep 6, 2022
Headlight recall is not being done even though the dealership did the test and said lights failed. I'm on month 4 waiting for a replacement. Claim code# NIZ-11408256001-1145581. Dealership info: Five Star Nissan - 839 Warren Dr, Warner Robins, GA 31088.
Exterior lighting, Sep 2, 2022
My head lights are very dim and they often causes me to run off the side of the road and I can't see objects until they are right up on me.
Exterior lighting, Jun 23, 2022
Light is dim, tried to replace bulb several time. Please see Suarez vs. Nissan North America
Exterior lighting, Jun 12, 2022
The car has dangerously dim headlights. I can barely see ahead of me at night. I live in Florida and was driving in the rain at night (not by choice) and I had to go extremely slow because I could not see a thing. I contacted the dealer but they said I do not qualify for the headlight recall and I recently got the car serviced and my headlights passed inspection. However, I’ve read many complaints online from other owners with dim lights that Nissan dealerships are passing.
Exterior lighting, May 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her cousin was driving 50 MPH during the night, the low-beam headlights became inoperable. The contact activated the hi-beam headlights to illuminate the roadway for greater visibility. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Exterior lighting, May 4, 2022
There is a known issue with Altima headlamps that causes dimming of the lights. This resulted in a class action lawsuit. Though Nissan is making a test available to confirm eligibility for replacement, they are not providing a time frame for when they will provide dealers with parts to correct the issue. This is resulting in a severe inability to see well when driving at night especially if weather events occur and/or lighting of roads changes. I qualified, per dealer, for headlamp replacement but they cannot provide an ETA as to when the work can be done because Nissan is not giving them any sort of time frame. I have chosen to only drive roads I know during night hours, however, unexpected events like sudden rain showers or lighting being off on roadways unexpectedly - is a huge hazard and makes it difficult to see people, animals, and road markings. I am having to limit the use of my vehicle in order to drive safely, however there are times when unknown/unexpected circumstances beyond my control change visibility of roadways and the dim lights cause an enormous safety concern. That Nissan will not even provide an ETA on replacement headlamps is severely irresponsible and negligent. This is an ongoing matter and not limited to one specific date.
Exterior lighting, Apr 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at night, he was unable to see the road clearly while using the headlights. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the headlight assemblies to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Exterior lighting, Apr 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that when headlights were activated, the illumination was very dim. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Exterior lighting, Apr 4, 2022, crash
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while their son was driving approximately 55 MPH in the evening, a police officer crashed into the front passenger side door. The front rearview mirror was also impacted. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The police officer was unable to see the vehicle due to the headlight clarity being low on the contacts vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic, however the failure was not diagnosed. The headlights were not replaced. The driver was injured but decided not to receive medical treatments. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.