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: power train
161 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Apr 7, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, IT INADVERTENTLY ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NO FAULT CODE WAS RETRIEVED. THE MECHANIC WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,600.
Power train, Mar 30, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, HOWEVER THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. ...UPDATED 06/30/16 *BF
Power train, Feb 17, 2016
2015 NISSAN ALTIMA, WITH 21,000 MILES. CONSUMER CONSTANTLY HEARD LOUD WHINING FROM TRANSMISSION WHEN FIRST OPERATED AND GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WHEN MERGING ON FREEWAY. COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP, BROUGHT CAR FOR OIL CHANGE AND LEFT WITH A RENTAL CAR. 4 DAYS LATER RECEIVED A CALL FROM DEALERSHIP THAT THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION.
Power train, Structure, Feb 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED COROSSION ON THE TRUNK WHERE THE LATCH WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V029000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CHANGED GEARS WITHOUT NOTICE. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO GEAR AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYLESS ENTRY FAILED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURES RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Aug 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO DOWN SHIFT WITH HESITATION AND THE ENGINE REVVED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY FOR A FEW MOMENTS AND THEN THE FAILURE RECURRED TEN TIMES WITH WARNING. THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,700.
Power train, Air bags, Aug 3, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY WENT INTO REVERSE, ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A ROCK GARDEN ON TOP OF A SEWER LINE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT FOOT, LEFT KNEE, LEFT ARM, AND LEFT ELBOW THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,162. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, May 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,008.
Power train, Engine, May 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE BUT INCREASED IN RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,767.
Power train, Feb 22, 2015
CVT TRANSMISSION VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY IN INTERIOR (FLOORBOARDS, STEERING WHEEL, GAS PEDAL, AND AND ME) NOISE LEVEL EXTREMELY HIGH INSIDE CAR. DEALER AND NISSAN AMERICA SAY THEY WILL NOT FIX OR BUY BACK CAR. PURCHASED NEW IN SEPT 2014. HAD SAME CAR 2014 MODEL THAT HAD NO VIBRATION OR NOISE. DEALER HAD SEVEN TEST DRIVES AND ALL AGREE WITH ME, BUT NO ONE WOULD COMMIT TO SAYING THE CAR NEEDS TO BE FIXED - THEY SAY IT COULD BE DEFECTIVE OR COULD BE A DESIGN PROBLEM. EITHER WAY I AM STUCK!!! WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO ANYONE. *TR
Power train, Dec 30, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA ON THE ROAD AND THERE WAS HEAVY TRAFFIC SO IT WAS SORT OF STOP AND GO AND LOTS OF IDLING. EACH TIME I PRESSED ON THE GAS, IT SEEMS THE CAR HESITATED TO GO. AFTER I GOT TO MY DESTINATION, I THEN DROVE ONTO INTERSTATE 85 IN GASTONIA, NORTH CAROLINA AND THE CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE DRIVE SHAFT ALSO STARTED SHAKING REALLY BAD. THE CAR STALLED AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF AND THE CAR COASTED OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR STOPPED ON ME. I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR TO GET DIRECTION ON WHAT TO DO AND THEY WOULDN'T SPEAK TO ME OR RETURN MY CALLS. I ENDED UP CALLING NISSAN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE IN RE THE CAR. THE GUY ASKED FOR MY VIN # AND I GAVE IT TO HIM AND HE IMMEDIATELY ASKED IF MY CAR'S ENGINE STALLED ON ME. I ADVISED THAT IT DID IN THE MIDST OF MY DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN ON AN INTERSTATE. HE ADVISED THEY WOULD SEND A TOW TRUCK TO GET MY CAR BUT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING HE COULD DO FOR ME TO HAVE TRANSPORTATION AND I'D HAVE TO SPEAK WITH THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY COULD PROVIDE A LOANER. THE DEALERSHIP ENDED UP DIAGNOSING THIS AS A BAD TRANSMISSION IN THIS BRAND NEW CAR. I WANTED TO KNOW HOW THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE GUY KNEW THAT THIS CAR HAD STALLED ON ME PRIOR TO ME EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP THAT REPAIRED IT ALSO ASKED ME IF I HAD HAD THIS PROBLEM 3 TIMES PRIOR. I HAD NOT. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAD 101 MILES ON IT AND I BELIEVE THIS CAR HAD PROBLEMS THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF AND THEY SOLD IT TO ME ANYWAY. I REQUESTED A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE FROM NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS B/C I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THIS CAR AS IT WAS A NEW CAR WITH A BAD TRANSMISSION AND I DO NOT TRUST IT'S SAFETY FOR MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT A ONE TIME THING AND THIS HAS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY. *JS