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: structure
63 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Nov 27, 2017, fire
MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. I HAD BEEN SMELLING SOMETHING THE DAY BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE CITY STREET AND I SMELLED THE SMELL I HAD BEEN SMELLING STRONGER AND I LOOKED AT THE HOOD AND IT WAS SMOKING. I PULLED OVER AND MORE SMOKING STARTED POURING OUT FROM MY CAR. THEN THE DASHBOARD WENT OFF. I GOT OUT AND CALLED 911 AND BY THE TIME THEY GOT THERE THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. AFTER IT WAS PUT OUT THE FIRE HAD BURNED THROUGH JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD.
Structure, Feb 15, 2017, crash
HOOD FLIES UP RANDOMLY DUE TO LATCH RECALL. RESULTED IN SCRATCHES AS I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WENT TO TWO DEALERSHIPS TO HAVE THE ISSUE RESOLVED. NISSAN REFUSED TO COVER DAMAGES STATING THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO PROVE ITS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INCIDENT. YOU TRY DRIVING WITH HOOD IN YOUR FACE AND SEE IF YOU CAN AVOID NOT KILLING YOURSELF...UPDATED 03/01/17 *BF *CN
Structure, Jan 24, 2017, crash
NISSAN HAD A HOOD RELEASE ISSUE WHICH RESULTED IN A RECALL. MY HOOD POPPED UP AND RESULTED IN SCRATCHES TO BOTH SIDES OF MY CAR. I REPORTED IT TO NISSAN AND THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. I WENT TO RUSS DARROW NISSAN MILWAUKEE TO FIX, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY. I WENT AMATO NISSAN TO HAVE THE HOOD REPAIRED AGAIN AFTER THE HOOD PIPED UP AGAIN.
Structure, Jul 23, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSATE HIGHWAY I77 IN JULY 2016 WITH AN OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE OF ~100F THE SUNROOF EXPLODED / SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE INSIDE SLIDING PANEL WAS CLOSED SO NO PASSENGERS WERE AFFECTED BY FLYING GLASS.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Jun 20, 2016, fire
CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE BY IT SELF WHILE DRIVING, IT WAS A CLEAR NIGHT, I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. JUST STARTED BY ITS SELF.
Structure, May 31, 2016
BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE TRUNK RECALL IN APRIL. THE TRUNK OPENED AND WHAT SHUT EITHER THE RECALL WASN'T DONE AT ALL OR THE RECALL FIX DOES NOT WORK. ROYAL PALM BEACH NISSAN. ROYAL PALM BEACH, FLORIDA. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED HAD TO DRIVE HOME ALMOST 200 MILES WITH IT TIED AND CONSTANTLY TIGHTENING IT.
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, May 5, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A FRACTURE BETWEEN THE FIREWALL AND THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINED. THE CARPET WAS REPLACED, BUT AN ABNORMAL ODOR WAS STILL PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V244000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
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.
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Jan 5, 2016
NISSAN ALTIMA 4D SEDAN 2.5S FELT AND LOOKED GREAT AT 17 ODOMETER READINGS. OVERTIME IT HAS LOST POWER AND HAS MADE ME HAVE A ROUGH TIME ON HIGHWAY THAN USUAL. GOING AT SPEEDS OF 55-75+ ALL SEATS FEEL AS IF THEY'RE GOING TO DETACH FROM THE BOTTOM COMPARTMENT. WHEELS ON THIS SEDAN ARE AT RECOMMENDED PSI 35-40 YET GOING AT 55-75 SPEEDS IT FEELS AS IF I'M RIDING A HORSE WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEASURES ON EACH SIDE. FRONT WINDOW ALONG WITH REAR END WINDOW HAVE BOTH BEEN DISLOCATED FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION. MY CAR IS SLOWLY BREAKING DOWN AT 7.2K MILES BRAND NEW. RECENTLY WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP CAR LOAN WAS MADE AND OBVIOUSLY EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I'M NOT GOING TO DEAL WITH THEIR LITTLE GAME. IT'S A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THE BODY ON THIS SEDAN BREAKS APART. I HAVE HAD NO CAR ACCIDENTS, PROBLEMS BEGAN AS FIRST OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED NOV 11 2015. IT'S BECOMING VERY DIFFICULT TO MANAGE VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AS IT GOES LEFT OR RIGHT AS WIND HITS FRONT/REAR. HAVE PERSONALLY TRIED FIGURING OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF BLACK GOO REAR AREA BY TIRES, FRONT END, UNDER BACK SEATS, UNDER PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT. AT TIMES I FEEL AS IF THE RIGHT SIDE IS SUSPENDED A BIT MORE THAN THE LEFT, AND VISE VERSA. NOISE LEVEL HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY WITH ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS CLOSED. SOMETHINGS DEFINITELY WRONG WITH THE STRUCTURE OF THIS VEHICLE NHTSA, I'M ASKING FOR AN INVESTIGATION HELPING ME AND OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM.
Steering, Structure, Engine, Dec 2, 2015
CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN LATE APRIL 2015. WHEN I OPENED THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE FOR THE FIRST TIME, I NOTICED THERE WAS RUST IN THE SPOT WELDS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TRUNK. FRONT BUMPER ALSO STARTED TO POP OUT ON BOTH SIDES AFTER DRIVING IT THE FIRST DAY AND IS RUBBING AND PEELING PAINT FROM FRAME OF VEHICLE. REAR WINDSHIELD WAS PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT WITH A LARGE GAP TO THE RIGHT. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. FRONT FASCIA MISALIGNED FROM FACTORY AND RUST EATING AWAY AT MAIN FRAME OF VEHICLE DESPITE THERE BEING NO SCRATCHES OR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. BOTH SIDE SKIRTS MISALIGNED. ALL DOORS SIGNIFICANTLY MISALIGNED FROM FACTORY. POWER STEERING WHINES AND TRANSMISSION GROANS AND SHIFTS ERRATICALLY. CAR DOES NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT AT SPEEDS 55+ AND WANDERS BETWEEN LANES. IT TAKES MUCH EFFORT TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT. TRUNK LID NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY. BBB MANDATED NISSAN TO REPURCHASE VEHICLE AND BRAND IT AS A LEMON DUE TO SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECTS & NON-CONFORMITIES. NISSAN FAILED TO FIX REAR WINDSHIELD AFTER ONE ATTEMPT AND FAILED TO FIX OTHER ISSUES AFTER 3 REPAIR ATTEMPTS. CAR HAS BEEN AT DEALERSHIP FOR 28+ DAYS. NISSAN FAILED TO CALCULATE CORRECT REPURCHASE NUMBERS AND NISSAN STILL REFUSES TO FIX VEHICLE. AFTER MY PROTESTING, NISSAN REPAIRED REAR WINDSHIELD BUT STRUCTURALLY, THE REST OF THE CAR REMAINS A SAFETY ISSUE. AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE LAUNCHED. I REQUEST NHSTA TO INSPECT THE QUALITY AND BUILD OF THIS VEHICLE AS IT ENDANGERS MY SAFETY AND THOSE OF OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME. I AM STILL IN POSSESSION OF THIS VEHICLE.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2015
THE VEHICLE "HIGH CENTERED" AT VARIOUS PLACES ON SPEED HUMPS, SOME OF WHICH REQUIRED BACKING UP TO SPARE WORSE AFFECTS. EARLY DAMAGE IS INEVITABLE, AND UNSAFE, AND COSTLY. FREQUENTLY THE VEHICLE SCRAPES AT PARKING BARRIERS AND CURBS. IN NO WAY CAN IT BE DRIVEN ON A PASTURE ROAD OF RUTS AND CENTER RIDGED ELEVATIONS, BOTH FOR "HIGH CENTERING" AND CATCHING PLANT LIFE ON FIRE DUE TO DRAGGING THE VEHICLE BOTTOM ON THE CENTER RIDGE. THE REAR CAMERA IS MORE DISTRACTING THAN BENEFICIAL, SINCE ABOUT FIVE VIEWS MUST BE MADE WHEN MOVING IN REVERSE, AND THE CAMERA VIEW, THE 6TH, IS SO INCONCLUSIVE.
Structure, Aug 10, 2015
I AM UNABLE TO CLOSE THE HOOD OF MY CAR COMPLETELY. THE HOOD LATCH IS LOOSE AT ALL TIMES AND I AM UNABLE TO USE THE "OPEN HOOD" BUTTON ON THE INTERIOR. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM NISSAN. HOWEVER, WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR IT'S FIRST SERVICE APPOINTMENT AT EDISON NISSAN DEALERSHIP (04/21/2015), THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN REPORTED THAT THE RECALL WAS ADDRESSED AND SERVICED. TODAY ON 08/10/2015, THE HOOD POPPED OPEN AND I AM UNABLE TO CLOSE IT. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP TO SET UP A REPAIR, BUT NO SERVICE MANAGERS OR STORE MANAGERS WERE AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS MY CONCERNS AND THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS UNABLE TO SET UP A COURTESY LOANER CAR FOR ME TOMORROW, WHICH WOULD ALLOW ME TO DROP OFF MY CAR FOR REPAIR AND STILL GET TO WORK.
Structure, Apr 29, 2015
THE DASHBOARD/CENTER CONSOLE AREA HAS HIGHLY REFLECTIVE/SHINY PLASTIC, THAT REFLECTS THE SUN INTO THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS EYES, TEMPORARILY BLINDING THEM A LARGE AREA OF THE CENTER CONSOLE IS HIGHLY REFLECTIVE, EVERYTHING AROUND THE STEREO CONTROLS AND UPPER CENTER VENTS.. THIS IS A HAZARD, AND NOT FOUND ON MANY OTHER MANUFACTURERS . *TR