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: power train
209 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, May 28, 2014
VEHICLE HAS RECURRING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS A COUPLE OF TIMES PER DAY OVER THE COURSE OF 100 MILE COMMUTE. MOST OFTEN OCCURRING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC 20-35MPH SPEEDS UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE CAR TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHILE UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO VERIFY OR RECREATE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, May 7, 2014
I STOPPED THE CAR AND BELIEVED I PUT IT IN PARK. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR--IT DID NOT MOVE. I WENT TO THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND GOT MY TWO YEAR OLD OUT OF HER CAR SEAT. I PLACED HER BESIDE THE CAR AND SHUT THE REAR DOOR. I WALKED AROUND BEHIND THE CAR TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I TURNED THE CAR OFF LIKE I ALWAYS DO. THE CAR SHUT OFF--AND SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING--BEGAN RAPIDLY MOVING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY. MY BABY WAS AT THE REAR OF THE CAR AND SHE USUALLY FOLLOWS ME. I RAN AND HAD TO JUMP IN THE MOVING CAR. THE FRONT LEFT DRIVER WHEEL NEARLY RAN ME OVER. I TRIED TO GAIN CONTROL OF THIS VEHICLE BY DESPERATELY TRIED TO STOP IT. I WAS ROLLING THE SPEED OF A SKATEBOARD RELEASED FROM THE TOP OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD LOCKED. I HAD TO PUSH HARD ON THE BRAKE. I STOPPED IT AND THERE WERE SKIDMARKS ON THE ASPHALT. I STOPPED THE CAR BEFORE IT SLAMMED INTO MY NEIGHBOR'S CAR. HAD I NOT STOPPED IT AND RISKED PERSONAL INJURY THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH TO MOVE AND LOOK. I THOUGHT MY BABY WAS DEAD. I THOUGHT THE CAR HAD CRUSHED HER. MY NEIGHBOR TOLD ME MY DAUGHTER HAD BEEN MISSED BY INCHES. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE GEARSHIFT, IT WAS IN D. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT SHUT OFF IN DRIVE. IT ALMOST KILLED MY DAUGHTER, DAMAGED PERSONAL PROPERTY, AND I AM INJURED. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS: THEY STATED THAT THIS HAPPENS "IN ALL AUTOMATIC CARS." WHICH THAT IS FALSE. I CALLED BACK TO TELL THEM I HAD FRIENDS AND FAMILY WITH VARYING 2014 PUSH BUTTON CARS TRY AND TURN THEIR CARS OFF IN D. NONE OF THEM WOULD TURN OFF UNLESS IN PARK. WHAT IS SOMEONE WAS DRIVING AND ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE BUTTON ON THE FREEWAY? LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKES, CONTROL??? THIS IS A FATAL ENGINEERING PROBLEM. I KNOW GM HAD A HUGE RECALL FOR SIMILAR. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TOLD ME " THERE WOULD BE NO RECALL" AND THAT I SHOULD "BE MORE CAREFUL." *TR
Power train, Electrical system, May 3, 2014
EXAMPLE 1. WHILE DRIVING IN MY TOWN HOME COMMUNITY AND SLIGHTLY TURNING RIGHT WHILE GOING UP A SLIGHTLY INCLINED ROAD THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND IT SEEMS THE TRANSMISSION IS LOCKING UP. GOES AWAY EITHER BY REMOVING ALL PRESSURE ON ACCELERATOR OR IF EXCESSIVE ACCELERATOR PRESSURE IS APPLIED. THE TYPE OF ACCELERATOR PRESSURE NEEDED TO STOP THE EXCESSIVE SHAKING WOULD BRING THE VEHICLE TO A SPEED THAT IS UNSAFE RELATIVE TO OBSERVED SPEEDS LIMITS IN COMMUNITY. EXAMPLE 2. THESE EXHIBITED SYMPTOMS HAVE ALSO OCCURRED WITH AN INCREASING FREQUENCY WHILE DRIVING ON CITY ROADS IN LIGHT TO MODERATE TRAFFIC: WHEN YOU ARE COASTING UP TO SLOWER MOVING TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF YOU AND THEN NEED TO ACCELERATE AS THAT TRAFFIC INCREASES SPEED, THE CAR WILL SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THIS OCCURS MOSTLY AT SPEEDS UNDER 30 -35 MPH BUT HAS BEEN FELT AT SPEEDS AS HIGH AS 55 MPH. IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE ENTIRE DRIVE TRAIN OF THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO FALL OUT OF THE CAR. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 1200 MILES ON ODOMETER AND SYMPTOMS HAVE BEEN INCREASINGLY NOTICEABLE AND FREQUENT SINCE 605 MILES ON ODOMETER. SEPARATE ISSUE: NAVIGATION / AUDIO SYSTEM HAS FROZEN SCREEN UPON START UP AND BECOMES UN RESPONSIVE. NO ABILITY TO CHANGE PREVIOUS VOLUME LEVEL OF RADIO WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN LEFT AT HIGH VOLUME LEVEL DURING PREVIOUS DRIVE. INPUT IS NOT ACCEPTED ON HEAD UNIT OR STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS. NAVIGATION WILL NOT INITIATE. CAR MUST BE RESTARTED FOR SYSTEM TO REBOOT AND THIS MAY REMEDY THE PROBLEM FOR ONE DRIVE CYCLE OR MORE. HAS OCCURRED 5 OR MORE TIMES IN FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. SHOULD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN THE DRIVE TRAIN OCCUR, I FEEL THAT I AM AT RISK OF SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY. ADDITIONALLY I AM CONCERNED THAT RESALE VALUE OF VEHICLE WILL BE DIMINISHED DUE TO DAMAGE CAUSED BY INHERENT DESIGN FLAW IN POWER TRAIN AND IN-CAR ELECTRONICS. *TR
Power train, Apr 28, 2014
LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH ON A FREEWAY. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT MY TRANSMISSION HAD A DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JS
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 19, 2014
I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. WHEN THERE WAS AN OPENING IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL TO PROCEED FORWARD AND AS I ENTERED THE INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DROPPED THE RPM'S AND ACTED AS IF IN "LIMP MODE". I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR TO TRY TO GET OUT OF THE INTERSECTION BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AND ONLY "CRAWLED" THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE INTERSECTION DUE TO THIS ISSUE ONCOMING TRAFFIC HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES AND ALMOST HIT ME. ONCE I EXITED THE INTERSECTION I LOOKED FOR A PLACE TO PULL OVER AND STOPPED ABOUT A 500 YARDS FROM THE INTERSECTION. I THEN NOTICED THE VDC LIGHT WAS ON. I PRESSED THE VDC BUTTON AND IT LITE UP ANOTHER INDICATOR ON THE DASH SHOWING OFF. I PRESSED IT AGAIN AND THE LIGHT WENT OUT HOWEVER THE OTHER VDC LIGHT ON THE DASH STAYED ILLUMINATED. I THEN TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND WAITED A COUPLE MINUTES AND WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE THE OTHER VDC LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE VEHICLE THEN DROVE NORMAL. I HAVE SINCE NOTICED A SOUND LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SPINNING WHENI PRESS THE ACCELERATOR. I WAS SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SO I WENT HOME. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NISSAN DEALER AND HAD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO "FAULT CODES" AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY MY NEW CAR WHEN INTO "LIMP MODE" AND THE VDC LIGHT CAME ON. THIS CAR IS NEW AND NOW I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT! THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE SAID IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN BRING IT BACK. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS PROBLEMS ON OTHER INTERNET CAR FORUMS REGARDING OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA'S WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THERE IS EVEN ANOTHER ONE ON THIS SITE! THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED ASAP. I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR NO MATTER WHAT I DID. *TR
Steering, Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 11, 2014
2014 NISSAN ALTIMA SL 2.5 MAKES ALLOT OF NOISE AND VIBRATION WHEN YOU ACCELERATE TO GET UP TO A HIGHWAY SPEED WHETHER IT IS FROM THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION IT IS VERY LOUD INSIDE THE CAR! THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF PLAY IN IT AT A DEAD STOP WITH ENGINE RUNNING BY TURNING THE WHEEL RIGHT TO LEFT! YOU ALSO HEAR CLUNKING NOISES TURNING IT RIGHT TO LEFT! THE FUEL IN THE TANK MAKES LOUD SWISHING NOISES SORT AS IF I HAVE A SMALL OCEAN IN MY FUEL TANK!
Power train, Feb 2, 2014
NO UNUSUAL SOUNDS OR CHECK ENGINE NOTICED WITH THE FOLLOWING: 1) WHILE SITTING IN CRAMPED TRAFFIC, I LET OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL TO INCH FORWARD A FEW FEET WHILE RIDING THE BRAKE. RMS DROPPED TO 500 FOR EVERY INSTANCE AND CAR BEGAN TO SHUTTER. *TR 2) COMING TO STOP LIGHTS/SIGNS. AFTER TRAVELING A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 1/8-1/4 MILE @30-40 MPH, THE DECELERATION CAUSED THE RPM TO DROP TO 500 AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUTTER AS I REACHED THE STOPPING POINT. I NOTICED THIS EVERY NOW AND THEN. I CANNOT REPLICATE, HOWEVER I WAS ABLE TO RECORD THE RPM DROP ON TWO OCCASIONS WITHIN 5 MIN OF EACH OTHER. 3) SHUTTERING THAT OCCURS AT LOW SPEEDS IS FELT AT HIGHER SPEEDS (50+).FEEL THE SHUTTERING AS IF TRANSMISSION WAS TRYING TO GET TO NEXT GEAR, BUT IT HOLDS STEADY AND VIBRATES. NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE. VERY UNCOMFORTABLE RIDE. 4) AT RANDOM PERIODS OF JUST WAITING IN THE CAR WITH IT RUNNING, WILL FEEL SURGE AS RPMS DROP FOR AN INSTANCE. TOOK VEHICLE IN BASED ON COMPLAINTS. SERVICE CENTER INITIATED THE CAR TO "RE-LEARN" IDLE. ISSUE 1, NO LONGER A PROBLEM THUS FAR. ISSUE 2, STILL AN ISSUE. ISSUE 3 STILL AN ISSUE. ISSUE 4, STILL AN ISSUE. TAKING IT BACK TO SAME DEALER AGAIN, AND ANOTHER DEALER FOR A 2ND SERVICE TEAM DIAGNOSTICS. *TR
Power train, Nov 13, 2013
THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO SHAKE AND I FEEL MY GAS PEDAL VIBRATE WHEN DRIVING APPROX. 30-40 MPH AND UP. NISSAN TECHNICAL SERVICES MECHANIC SAID THAT IS NORMAL FOR NISSAN ALTIMA 2013/2014. *TR
Power train, Sep 25, 2013
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN AT A STOP LIGHT, VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SLOW DOWN. IT FELT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO LOSE POWER. I HAD TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR HARDER THAN EXPECTED AS THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE BEARING DOWN ON ME IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND IT APPEARS TO BE A TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUE. THE SHAKING IS NOT AN ISSUE IN ITSELF, HOWEVER IT COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS IF SOMEONE IS MAKING A TURN AND NEEDS TO GET OUT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AS THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SEEM TO RESPOND AS EXPECTED. *JS