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: steering
58 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, May 29, 2014
AFTER DRIVING MY NEW CAR, I NOTICED THAT ABOVE 60 MPH, EVEN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS HELD STRAIGHT AHEAD, THE CAR WILL VEER EITHER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT EVER MOVING THE WHEEL - AT RANDOM, REGARDLESS OF CROWN OR TRUCK-RUTTED ROAD. DEALER CHECKED THE STEERING, AS WELL AS ANOTHER NEW ALTIMA; BOTH MADE SIMILAR CLUNKING NOISES LEFT AND RIGHT WHEN PARKED AND IDLED BY MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL A FEW INCHES EITHER DIRECTION. WIND DIRECTION FROM EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT INCREASES THE EFFECT OF CONSTANTLY HAVING TO OVER-CORRECT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CAR NOT GOING IN THE DIRECTION OF WHERE THE WHEEL IS POINTED. IT IS AS IF, WHEN THE CAR IS "ON CENTER" IT WILL THEN DRIFT LEFT OR RIGHT WITHOUT AFFECTING THE STEERING WHEEL. WHILE THIS OCCURS, IF ONE WERE TO LOOK AWAY FOR EVEN ONE SECOND, EITHER CENTER STRIPE OR SIDE STRIPE WOULD BE CROSSED. IT IS A BAFFLING SITUATION. I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN A VEHICLE, OLD OR NEW, THAT IS CONNECTED AND THEN, IT'S AS IF THE STEERING IS THEN DISCONNECTED FROM THE WHEELS. I WOULD NOT WANT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON SNOW OR ICE. I FEEL SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE NEW STEERING SYSTEM ON THE 2013 AND 2014 ALTIMAS. *TR
Steering, May 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 NSSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT EVEN WHILE THE CONTACT WAS HOLDING ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STAY IN ITS LANE. A POLICE OFFICER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS TORQUE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Steering, May 9, 2014
ON THE THIRD DAY OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE, I TOOK IT ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE WORST HANDLING OF ANY CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. IT DRIFTS ALL OVER THE ROAD WITH LITTLE CONTROL. IF YOU ARE IN A CROSSWIND OR BEHIND A TRUCK, THE VEHICLE DRIFTS HORRIBLY TOO. YOU MUST HAVE A GOOD HANDLE ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP CORRECTING TO STAY IN YOUR LANE! THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE. I AM VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY AT HIGH SPEEDS UNLESS IT IS A BREEZY DAY, THEN IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME EVEN AT SLOWER SPEEDS. YOU CAN BE DRIVING STRAIGHT FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR DRIFTS HARD TO ONE SIDE. YOU HAVE TO CORRECT QUICKLY IN ORDER TO NOT GO INTO THE NEXT LANE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. I HAVE HAD THIS INTO MY DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THE FIRST TIME THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. I JUST NEEDED TO GET USED TO THE WAY IT DRIVES. THE SECOND TIME, THEY ADJUSTED THE REAR ALIGNMENT AND CHANGED OUT TIRES TO MICHELIN TIRES. THIS HELPED A LITTLE BIT BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. NOW THE REAR END VIBRATES AND DRIFTS. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 3 MONTHS AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THIS. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED IF SOMETHING IS NOT CORRECTED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR SURE! *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
Steering, Apr 26, 2014
POWER STEERING MAKES A VERY ANNOYING WHINE THAT MAKES THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS. WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL? I CANT EVEN ENJOY MY NEW CAR AND APPARENTLY A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. NISSAN FIX THIS POWER STEERING!! *TR
Steering, Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 24, 2014
VEHICLE WANDERS AND DOES NOT KEEP IN A STRAIGHT LINE. IT IS NOT STABLE . THERE IS LOT OF WIND NOISE COMING INSIDE AND THERE IS ALWAYS A SLOSHING SOUND AND BELIEVE IT IS THE FUEL. NOT SAFE AS THE FUEL ALWAYS BANGS AROUND THE WALLS. *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!
Steering, Feb 26, 2014
POWER STEERING PUMP BEGAN MAKING VERY LOUD HIGH PITCH WHINING NOISE AFTER ONLY OWNING THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE MANAGER LOOKED AT IT AND CLAIMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMPS ARE ELECTRONIC NOW AND THEY DO MAKE A LITTLE NOISE BUT NOTHING LIKE THE NOISE MY CAR WAS MAKING. HE CONTACTED NISSAN THE VERY NEXT MORNING AND HAD A REP OUT TO LOOK AT IT. CURRENTLY MY BRAND NEW CAR IS SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP NOT DRIVABLE BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS ON BACK ORDER. APPARENTLY NISSAN HAS 13 OF THESE PUMPS ON BACK ORDER SO MY CAR IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. NISSAN NEEDS TO LOOK INTO A FIX AND RECALL THESE PUMPS BEFORE IT DOES BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR