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
1,113 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Feb 3, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE REAR CONTROL ARM DETACHED FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE DEFECT, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE SWAYED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. DESPITE THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME WHERE IT REMAINED IN HER POSSESSION. THE CONTACT CALLED RUSS DARROW NISSAN OF MILWAUKEE (11212 W METRO AUTO MALL, MILWAUKEE, WI 53224) AND SENT OVER PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A DEFECTIVE REAR CONTROL ARM. THE CONTACT WAS THEN REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Power train, Feb 2, 2021
I WAS TRAVELING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY ON JANUARY 25, 2021, WHEN I HAD NO ACCELERATION. DESPITE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, I HAD NO POWER. THE RPM NEEDLE WAS ALMOST TO THE RED ZONE. I WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF OF THIS HIGHWAY, ONTO ANOTHER HIGHWAY. I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, LET IT SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES, AND RESTARTED IT. I STILL HAD NO FOWARD GEAR. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER (SANSONE, NEPTUNE, NJ). AFTER AN EXHAUSTIVE BATTLE BETWEEN THE DEALER AND NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, IT WAS DETERMINED MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BASED ON THE COMPUTER CODES. THE COST IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY - THE EXTENSION COVERED UP TO 84K MILES, MY ALTIMA HAS 101K. I WAS TREATED POORLY BY THE DEALERSHIP, AND NISSAN CORPORATE. I NEVER GOT NOTIFICATION ABOUT ANY RECALLS, APPARENTLY NOTICES WERE SENT TO A FORMER EMPLOYMENT ADDRESS - I RETIRED FROM THAT PLACE 3 YEARS PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE ALTIMA IN 2015. MY RECORDS SAY ITS A 2015, YOURS INDICATE IT'S A 2014. THE TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY, ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH. THANKFULLY, AS A POLICE OFFICER, I HAD THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO GET OFF THE ROADWAY, DESPITE ALMOST BEING IN A SERIOUS COLLISION. THIS IS AN EGREGIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND NISSAN'S LACK OF CONCERN IS ABHORRENT. I CANNOT AFFORD THE $4400 PRICE TAG TO REPLACE THIS TRANSMISSION, WHICH WAS POORLY MANUFACTURED. THE DEALERSHIP "FIXED" THE "COMPUTER UPDATE" TO THE TRANSMISSION, AS WELL AS "LUBING" AND NOT REPLACING THE THE FAULTY HOOD LATCH. NOTABLY, THEY ALLEGEDLY DROVE THE CAR THROUGHOUT THE DAY ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, BEFORE DECLARING THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FACT THAT THIS TRANSMISSION JUST QUITS, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, IS A DEATH TRAP.
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!!
Other or unspecified, Jan 26, 2021
WHEN M VEHICLE GETS BETWEEN 1000-2000 RPM THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND HAS PROBLEM PICKING UP SPEED. ONCE OVER THE 2000 RPM, THE VEHICLE HAS NO PROBLEMS.
Exterior lighting, Jan 26, 2021
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE IS VIRTUALLY NONEXISTENT. VERY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT.
Air bags, Jan 21, 2021
AS OF NOVEMBER 2020, THE AIRBAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON. IT INITIALLY OCCURRED WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS. MY CONCERN IS WHETHER THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Power train, Jan 21, 2021
I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO JERK AND A SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD BUT I CONTINUED DRIVING ON CITY STREET. I GOT TO A LIGHT ABOUT TO TURN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD BUT ONLY ROLL BACK. IT?S THE CVT TRANSMISSION CAR WAS LOST POWER P0776 CODE WAS FOUND
Structure, Jan 21, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.
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.
Air bags, Service brakes, Jan 17, 2021
THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONSISTENTLY.
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.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 14, 2021
HOOD LATCH DEFECTIVE THEY STATE RECALL BUT NO REMEDY AND CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING LOCKING ME IN CAR IN MIDDLE OF ROAD OR INTERSECTIONS
Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2021
IT MAKING A LOUD SOUND SINCE I HAD NEW BRAKES PUT ON
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.
Suspension, Wheels, Dec 23, 2020
VEHICLE TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 65 MPH. VEHICLE JERKED IN A FISHTAIL MANNER TO THE LEFT HAND DRIVERS SIDE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, DISCOVERED A COMPLETELY FLAT TIRE (PURCHASED ONLY 2 WEEKS AGO). VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS SEVERELY CRACKED, UNSAFE TO DRIVE. SERVICE MEMBER ALSO ADVISED ME THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE AND THAT I NEEDED TO GO THROUGH NISSAN USA CONSUMER AFFAIRS SINCE MY VEHICLE (ALTHOUGH THE MILLIONS OF ISSUES ON RECORD) TO HAVE MY REPAIR APPROVED. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP AND I AM AWAITING NISSAN USA CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO CALL BACK TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. VEHICLE IS APPROX. 7K MILES OUTSIDE OF 60K MILE WARRANTY.
Power train, Engine, Dec 21, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT HAD STATED THERE AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND ACCELERATED AS DESIGNED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED HEADQUARTER NISSAN (1725 WHITTLESEY RD, COLUMBUS, GA 31904; (706) 225-8100) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Exterior lighting, Dec 19, 2020
HEADLIGHTS NO LONGER LIGHT THE ROAD ADEQUATELY ON THE DIM SETTING. TRIED REPLACING BULBS BUT NO IMPROVEMENT.
Air bags, Dec 14, 2020
THE AIRBAG LIGHT WON'T TURN OFF. I'M UNSURE WHICH AIRBAG, BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE LIGHT ON MEANS AIRBAGS WON'T DEPLOY CORRECTLY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. IT STARTED ON 12/13/20 AND HAS CONTINUED THROUGHOUT 12/14/20. THE LIGHT STAYS ON REGARDLESS OF WHAT POSITION IT'S IN. PARKED, TURNING, DRIVING, ETC.
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.