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
Exterior lighting, Apr 6, 2021
THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2013-2015 ALTIMAS. THE HEADLAMP PROJECTOR BOWLS DETERIORATE AND DO NOT PROJECT THE LIGHT CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT SEE THE ROAD AHEAD. NISSAN IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE EXPENSIVE BULBS TWICE WITH BRIGHTER BULBS AND THIS DID NOT RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL!!!!!
Exterior lighting, Apr 2, 2021
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE LOW BEAMS DO NOT LIGHT UP THE AREA ENOUGH TO SEE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN.
Exterior lighting, Apr 1, 2021
MY WIFE AND I STARTED TO NOTICE THE DIMNESS OVER A YEAR AGO, BUT IT BECAME MORE APPARENT WHEN WE DROVE THROUGH SOME BACK COUNTRY WITH WINDING ROADS FOR A WEEKEND GETAWAY WITH THE FAMILY. IT WAS STRESSFUL, SCARY AT TIMES AND OBVIOUSLY A HAZARD. I PRETTY MUCH HAD TO KEEP MY HIGH BEAMS ON FOR THE WHOLE STRETCH OF THE DARK ROADS ESPECIALLY ON SHARP AND BLIND TURNS. SINCE THAT EXPERIENCE, WE TRY TO STEER CLEAR OF TAKING TRIPS IN THE EVENING... BUT EVEN NOW ON REGULAR ROUTINE DRIVES ON FREEWAYS OR EVEN PULLING UP TO MY COURT THE DIM BEAMS ARE MORE OBVIOUS THAN EVER. I WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGE SERVICE DONE TODAY, AND MENTIONED MY ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS AND INQUIRED ABOUT REPLACEMENTS. THEY SUGGESTED RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE BUT IT WOULD COST $375 OR SOMETHING JUST TO DO THAT... I MENTIONED THAT THEY RECENTLY DID A DIAGNOSTIC (THAT I PAID FOR WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT ANOTHER CONCERN I HAD WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT GOING AND NO ISSUES WERE FOUND, JUST NEEDED TO TOP OFF THE BRAKE FLUID) SO I PASSED ON IT... I THEN INQUIRED ABOUT REPLACEMENTS AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD BE ABOUT $400 TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES. FROM THAT POINT I GOOGLED COST TO COMPARE AND CAME ACROSS ARTICLES, FORUMS THAT BROUGHT TO LIGHT THAT I WASN'T ALONE WITH MY CONCERN AND ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. AND SOME COMMENTS MENTIONED REPLACEMENTS SUCH AS HID OR LED DIDN'T DO MUCH TO HELP THE DIM BEAM. I AM NOT SURE NOW IF I WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY TO REPLACE OR KEEP GOOGLING ON WAYS TO HELP FIX THE PROBLEM IN A MORE COST EFFECTIVE WAY. HOPEFULLY THERE IS A RECALL BECAUSE THE DIM LOW BEAM IS A HAZARD THAT FIXING WILL SAVE LIVES AND MAKE IT LESS STRESSFUL AT NIGHT TO DRIVE... ESPECIALLY WHEN CARRYING SPECIAL CARGO.
Exterior lighting, Mar 10, 2021
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE POOR. NISSAN INSTALL A BRAND NEW SET OF LIGHTS AND I CAN'T SEE BUT 5 FEET IN FRONT OF MY CAR AT NIGHT. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED IS TERRIBLE. THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS THE PROBLEM. THEY KNEW IT BEFORE THEY TOOK MY $130 TO REPLACE WITH LIHGHTS THAT DID ME NO GOOD. I USE HIGH BEAMS MOSTLY.
Exterior lighting, Mar 7, 2021
THE REGULAR HEADLIGHTS (NOT HIGH BEAMS) ARE SO DIM THAT IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. IN LOW LIGHT AREAS (CITY STREETS) I HAVE BUMPED THE CURB BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE IT AND WHEN TURNING IN LOW LIT INTERSECTIONS, I AM UNABLE TO SEE WHERE THE LANES ARE, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SAFELY TURN. I HAVE CLEANED THE OUTER PART OF THE HEADLIGHT AND REPLACED THE LIGHTS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT.
Exterior lighting, Feb 28, 2021
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT MY DIM HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM ITS AS IF THEY ARE NOT EVEN ON. IT DOESNT MATTER IF IM DRIVING IN THE CITY OR COUNTRY ITS HARD AND GETTING HARDER TO SEE THE HIGHWAY. IVE COME CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES. ONLY PREVENTION WAS SWITCHING TO HIGH BEAM TO BE ABLE TO SEE. SO IF I END UP HAVING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS SOMEBODYS GOING TO BE SERVED AND SPEND MORE MONEY THAN WHAT THEY COULD HAVE BY PREVENTING IT. THIS IS DANGEROUS. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS? HOW MANY ACCIDENTS WERE CAUSED BY THIS THAT RESULTED IN DEATH? WE DONT KNOW BC THEY ARE DEAD!
Exterior lighting, Feb 27, 2021
LIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM. A SAFETY HAZARD THAT HAS BEEN NAMED NUMEROUS TIMES ONLINE. NISSAN IS AWARE AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO REMEDY THE POOR MANUFACTURING.
Exterior lighting, Feb 23, 2021
LOWBEAMS DO NOT HELP AT NIGHT. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. NISSAN NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS WHICH WENT BAD WITHIN 2 YEARS OF USE.
Exterior lighting, Feb 18, 2021
LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. CANNOT SEE AT ALL. MUST USE HIGH BEAM IN ORDER TO SEE WHAT IS AHEAD. HAD LIGHTS REPLACED TWICE AND DOESN'T CORRECT THE ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, Feb 7, 2021
HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SAFELY OPERATE VEHICLE AT NIGHT OR RAINY AND/OR FOGGY WEATHER.
Exterior lighting, Jan 31, 2021
VISIBILITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN BAD. CANNOT SEE WELL DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT.
Exterior lighting, Jan 29, 2021
CAN NOT SEE WITH LOW BEAMS ON. HIGH BEAM WORKS FINE BUT CAN'T SAFELY DRIVE WITH LOW BEAM ONLY.
Exterior lighting, Jan 26, 2021
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM, IT IS A HAZARD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. WE REPLACED THE BULBS AND RESTORED THE LENSES BUT NOTHING HELPS. IF YOU SEARCH THE INTERNET, THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. YOU CAN'T SEE 50' IN FRONT OF YOU. THESE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND NISSAN SHOULD BE FIXING THIS PROBLEM DON'T WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO GET KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE PLEASE!!
Exterior lighting, Jan 26, 2021
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE IS VIRTUALLY NONEXISTENT. VERY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT.
Exterior lighting, Jan 19, 2021
PRIMARY PROJECTOR-STYLED HEADLIGHTS LOOSE THEIR INTENSITY OVER THE YEARS, TO THE POINT THAT THEY NO LONGER ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AT NIGHT.
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Jan 16, 2021
MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. I CAN BARELY SEE AT NIGHT. I HAVE REPLACE THE LIGHT BULBS AND THAT DID NOT HELP. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAM ON BUT WITH INCOMING TRAFFIC I HAVE TO GO BACK TO LOW BEAM AND IT'S LIKE THE INCOMING TRAFFIC IS BLINDING ME. I CAN BARELY DRIVE THE CAR A NIGHT DUE TO THIS ISSUE. IT'S BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS. THEY ARE GETTING WORSENED BY THE DAY.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 11, 2021
DRIVING AT NIGHT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE WITH MY KIDS HOME I'M A SINGLE PARENT THE HEADLIGHTS MAINLY LOW BEAMS ARE VERY VERY LOW YOU CAN EVEN TILL THEY ARE ON THE POLICE PULLED ME OVER AND MADE A JOKE SAYING I WOULD BE BETTER OFF USING TWO FLASHLIGHTS CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME THE PROBLEM OR HELP I ALMOST WAS IN A ACCIDENT WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR IS THE LOW BEAMS THE HIGHBEAMS I'VE HAD TO RESORT TO PUT A FOG LIGHTS ON MY CAR THANK YOU PLEASE RESPOND
Exterior lighting, Jan 5, 2021
THE CHROME AND I HAD LIGHT LAMP IS BURNING IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL THROUGH NISSAN THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT I'D LIKE THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BULBS AND THERE IS ZERO VISIBILITY AT NIGHT.
Exterior lighting, Jan 4, 2021
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM, CHANGED BULBS, CLEANED HEADLIGHTS NOTHING FIX THE PROBLEM, NEED TO CHANGE COMPLETE HEADLIGHTS
Exterior lighting, Jan 3, 2021
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM AND ARE KEEP GETTING DIMMER, CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE CAR AT NIGHT USING THE DIM BEAM OF THE HEADLIGHTS.
Exterior lighting, Dec 19, 2020
HEADLIGHTS NO LONGER LIGHT THE ROAD ADEQUATELY ON THE DIM SETTING. TRIED REPLACING BULBS BUT NO IMPROVEMENT.
Exterior lighting, Dec 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ADEQUATELY ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY CAUSING A VISIBILITY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER. AFTER REPLACING THE LIGHT BULBS, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Exterior lighting, Dec 10, 2020
THE HEADLIGHTS ON LOW BEAM PUT OUT ALMOST ZERO LIGHT, IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY THREADS ON THE INTERNET AND THIS IS IS A KNOWN ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, Dec 7, 2020, crash
LOW BEAM LIGHTS DO NOT WORK TO WHERE YOU CAN'T SEE 50 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU. REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS AND STILL NOT ANY BETTER. HUGE SAFETY CONCERN WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Dec 6, 2020
THE DIM HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY BECAME DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SEE 50FT IN FRONT OF YOU WITH THE LIGHTS ON DIM. THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR SQUEAKED WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW AND WHEN THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THE INTERNAL CLIP ON THE VISOR BROKE.