2015 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Exterior lighting is the leading concern among 953 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 46 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 27 people were injured.
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
Structure, emergency, escape/egress/exitDec 19, 2018
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles, previously remedied under recall number 17V-040. The door latch-lock cable may not have been routed properly in the rear door when the remedy was applied. As a result, the cable may interfere with the window regulator causing the rear passenger door to unlatch and inadvertently open without warning when the window is lowered.
If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will secure the latch-lock cables in the correct position using the new remedy procedure, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7669.
Campaign 18V915000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchJan 18, 2017
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles. The rear door latch/lock cable on the vehicles may have been improperly routed. As a result, lowering a rear window may inadvertently cause that door to unlatch and open.
If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will correct the rear door latch/lock cable routing, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 17V040000 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
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, disc, caliperNov 5, 2015
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2015 Altima and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured October 6, 2015, to October 7, 2015. The affected vehicles have front brake calipers whose mounting bolts may not be properly tightened.
If the bolts were not properly tightened, the caliper may detach and reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will check the brake caliper mounting bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 15V733000 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
Representative owner complaints: air bags
177 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 11, 2026, crash
My car was hit and airbags did not deploy from driver side. The front driver side of my car is totalled. Not sure what force of an impact is needed for airbags to deploy but if my driver side tire rod broke and tire came off is this not sufficient force. This 2015 Nissan Altima has had many recalls. The last one was my front driver side head lamp almost caught on fire but mechanic found everything burned and melted because of electrical issue which was a recall. With my luck the recall expired apparently because it happened after the fact when it was no longer covered. I called and basically I was told too late. Now my airbags did not deploy.
Air bags, Sep 10, 2026
A vehicle airbag light is staying on which indicates my airbags will not work this is a common problem in a 2015 Nissan Altima SL but it is not showing up as a recall on my certain vehicle. This recently started happening at 114,000 miles. When the light first came on it would go on and off at different times it would not be every single time I started the car but now it will not shut off
Air bags, Jul 30, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the SRS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a driver's side air bag module internal failure. The dealer recommended replacing the driver's side air bag module and informed the contact that the repair was not covered under the extended warranty. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed the dealer information. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 59,256.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2026
SRS - Airbag LF Side Impact: B0020-13 Error 2,000.00 to replace faulty air bag
Air bags, Apr 24, 2026
The passenger seat airbag detection system consistently mis-characterizes whether a passenger is in the seat. The vehicle should have been covered under the 2016 recall - before I owned it. The website doesn’t show any outstanding recall items, but the problem persists.
Air bags, Jan 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Air bags, Sep 22, 2025
The front seat passenger air bag detection system does not detect a passenger in the seat and turns off the frontal air bag. This has occurred numerous times and applies to certain 2015 Nissan Altimas. Nissan claims the recall to repair the Occupant Classification System does not apply to our VIN number, yet we continue to have this safety issue. The issued has been addressed with several dealerships, even provided them videos of the problem, and the problem continues as of today's date.
Air bags, Feb 28, 2025, crash
Failure of Airbags to deploy after a rear end collision by another car. On 01.31.2025. My vehicle - a Nissan Altima 2015 was hit by an SUV while stopped at an intersection behind another vehicle. My Altima was thrust forward into the vehicle stopped ahead ome causing significant rear damage to the rear and front bumper, the trunk, and left tail lights. Despite the force of the collision and the resulting hit of the front car ahead, none of the Altima airbags deployed to protect me from serious injuries which can be potentially fatal. This indicates that the airbags may be faulty and non-operational. The car has been deemed a total loss and insurance has declined my claim and cannot compensate me because of limited collision coverage for the vehicle, and the offending driver fled the scene and cannot be identified. The offender almost ran me over as I tried to exit the vehicle to identify them. There are no warning lamps on the dashboard except - "trunk open" warning after the incident The police inspected the vehicle and details are in the police report attached
Air bags, Dec 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while in reverse (R), an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the air bag warning light was illuminated, and the contact was advised to see the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,900.
Air bags, Nov 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the air bag sensor warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the passenger occupant sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V244000 (Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
Air bags, Oct 19, 2024
My car has been to Nissan service 3 times for a faulty airbag light - it thinks the driver seat is unoccupied when it is not - that means the air bag may not activate. The dealer has been able to turn off the light but it eventually comes back on. It meets all the criteria below for the recall but the VIN is excluded. I have paid $562.02 in service fees and now they want $2,000 to replace the seat. I would like my VIN added to the recall. 2015 Nissan Altima Air Bag Recall Nissan has announced that 919 vehicles have been affected by a Air Bag recall. 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.
Air bags, Aug 27, 2024
Air bag light will not go out. Looking to see if there is any recall for airbags. No accidents or impact to vehicle. Light came on about two weeks ago
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Aug 21, 2024, crash
I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE VERY BAD LOW BEAM LIGHTING AT NIGHT. ITS SO TERRIBLE THAT ITS LIKE HAVING NO LIGHTS ON AT ALL AND RIDING WITH THEM ON CONSTANT HIGH BEAMS HAS RESULTED IN ME BEING PULLED OVER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BY POLICE BUT ITS ALSO UNSAFE TO ALL OTHER DRIVERS I PASS. THE LOW BEAMS WERE WHY I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN NOV OF 2023. THAT RESULTED IN ME GOING DOWN AN EMBANKMENT HITTING A TREE HEAD ON. FROM THAT ACCIDENT I ALSO LEARNED THE AIR BAGS WERE FAULTY BC THEY DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. I WAS ONLY INJURED WITH A FEW SCRAPES, BRUISES AND ALOT OF SORENESS BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH WORSE. I HAVE THE PHOTOS FROM THAT WRECK THAT SHOWS THE DAMAGE BUT ALSO HOW THE AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOY AS WELL. I PLAN TO LOOK INTO WHAT OTHER ACTIONS I CAN TAKE AGAINST NISSAN SINCE THEY KNOW THESE ARE ISSUES AND HAVE NOT FIXED THEM. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN OCTOBER OF 2015. I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN WHEN THIS OCCURED BC I COULD NOT SEE BC OF THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS. I WAS ONLY GOING MAYBE 5 MPH. 10 MPH TOPS. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH QUESTIONS.
Air bags, Aug 16, 2024
Air bag light came on about 3 weeks ago. Called dealership and they say no recalls. Says to bring car in and it will take 3 to 4 days to run diagnostics. I am a single car family and would need to get a rental for those 3 days. I am on a fixed income. Why 3 days just to run diagnostics
Air bags, Jul 17, 2024
Airbag light displayed on Dashboard There has been 3 airbag recalls for 2015 Nissan Altimas, my vin number was not on the Nissan Safety Airbag Recall notification Vin number Recall list. I notified Nissan Consumer Reports on July 5, 2024. Nissan representative, Nissan will not assist with the cost of replacing the Airbag or parts and labor associated with the airbag because of my vin number, limited warranty and mileage of my vehicle.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 15, 2024, crash
AIRBAG Didn't Deploy. Seatbelt didn't hold I hit the steeling wheel injury my chest hit my head blood on the brain broke my foot. vehicle was total No
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jan 11, 2024
Air bag light on passenger side stays on and unable to drive vehicle at night due to lights being so dim
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 29, 2023, crash
I was on the 15 freeway going home and bent down to pick up something I dropped and hit the car that was stopped in front of me. What I remember is my glasses flying off and I hit my chest and head on the steering wheel and also broke my foot. At that time I realized that the air bag did not deploy and the seat belt did not hold me and I hit the steering wheel with full force. I spent three days in the trauma center being treated for bleeding on the brain. There was 10 recalls on this vehicle, a 2015 Nissan Altima, and 2 former owners did not carry out their responsibilities to get the recalls taken care of. Now I am suffering because the owners where too lazy to be responsable.
Air bags, Oct 29, 2023
B0020 code, LH airbag deployment control subfault
Air bags, Sep 25, 2023
Engine light & air bag light is on. The problem has not been confirmed. I have had the engine light fixed before and it still isn’t fixed correctly.
Air bags, Mar 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the air bag waring light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V681000 (Air Bags) and advised the contact to contact the dealer. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 53,680.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2023
I bought 2015 Nissan Altima from Cars Express on 2/17/2023. He breached verabal agreement and will not fix the safety issues. I paid him for the paint job on front bumper and paid for the paint. Witnesses that he would pay then refused pay the paint men so I paid them once vehicle was in my possession front blinkers do not work headlight out. Safety sensor is cut. Air bag light came on and says air bags not on check engine light came on.. I tried to talk to him about safety concerns and I asked to return the vehicle for full payment including the paint and paint job I already paid him. The car was a salvage rebuilt and the hood of the car needed to be aligned that wasn’t done, safety concern is hood might open while I’m driving. He defrauded/scammed me. I’m stuck with an vehicle that is not safe, he does his own repairs which he told me he takes them a mechanic. He buys wrecks and chop shop fixes them. The car was inspected on 1/14/2023 by [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Air bags, Nov 5, 2022
THE VEHICLE CONSOLE INDICATES AN ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG. AIRBAG ERROR LIGHT IS CONTINUALLY LIT AFTER THE VEHICLE STARTS. NISSAN DEALER CONFIRMS THE LIGHTED ERROR AND REQUESTS REPLACING THE AIRBAG AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Air bags, Oct 21, 2022
For the past year in a half I have had my airbag light on. I took it to Nissan they told me I needed a new seat which; the seat moves fine and theres no actual known problem with it. I then took it to a different Nissan and they said it was a side airbag module coming from the left side. So from there they checked it then cleared the light and said everything should be all set. Few weeks later the light came back on so I returned it to them and they cleared the light again and said it was a petty reason that it kept coming back on. Months later it came right back on and I took it back and they still have yet to find a solution other than clearing the light. This is really frustrating and frighting because if they don't know why it keeps coming on I am left to think of the worst things that can happen especially when the airbag is suppose to save me in an accident.
Air bags, Oct 20, 2022
The are warning lights coming up for the passenger side airbag system. The dealership in Rockville Maryland confirmed the problem and said they would charge a lot of money to fix it. I have studied this problem on line and noticed that there are a lot of cars just like mine had a recall for this issue and were covered with no charge since it it a safety issue.