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: other or unspecified
92 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 29, 2026
The hood to my car randomly unlatched and smashed my windshield while I was going 30mph.
Other or unspecified, Nov 7, 2025
The hood latch disengaged while driving at a speed of around 35 MPH. There were no injuries reported and the vehicle was brought to Nissan for repair.
Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2025
None
Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2025
Myn hood Latch is not operating properly. If hood is completely closed it is very hard to reopen with the latch. Apparently there was a recall but I did not receive any notice.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2025
i am original owner. Twice now in the early morning I have found my trunk automatically opened with out reason. I thought maybe i did it by mistake but i clearly did not after 2nd time. Never has this happened in my life to any of my cars. After looking online I found other owners also experienced same occurrence with this 2015 Altima. I understand it could be anything, bad battery in hand clicker, faulty electrical switch, etc. I located the on/off switch in the glove compartment and turned it off. Now, i just have to remember to turn it on/off all the time so i don't find the trunk opened again. I could get my car stolen if i leave my car out side and go out of town. 1) if there is a recall to get this electrical fixed, please let me known. Thank you
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Dec 2, 2024
My husband was pulling in a parking spot and heard a pop like noise and went out to inspect the car and saw the rear tire was falling off the car. We are told it was the lower suspension link
Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2024
Transmission
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Jan 22, 2024
The rear control arm on the driver side snapped while my wife was driving. Now the rear side sways
Other or unspecified, Nov 3, 2023
The left and right rear control arms both snapped. The right one has been repaired and the left one is in the mechanic shop to be worked on next week. The right rear control arm snapped while I was driving two months ago. The left rear control arm snapped while I was driving last night. Both times the car was violently shaking and pulling left and right off of the road and into the other lane. The vehicle was only inspected by the mechanics that have worked on it and myself. The warning lamps turned on immediately but not before the arm snapped and the shaking began.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 25, 2023
Please see this other report I filled out: 11526603. Thus far have paid about $1100 to get new, steering fluid, repair brakes, get a new battery, transmission fluid, and fuel injection service. They said this would fix the problem. The problem was not fixed. I took the car back again and they kept it several hours. Their higher level mechanic still couldn’t figure out a problem. Now, the car has a new weird noise. When I drove it this morning, it sounded like there was a motorcycle driving nearby, yet I couldn’t see one. Then I figured out, it was my own engine, making some extra noise. I’m going to try to get into a different mechanic tomorrow. God help me. So now two problems: steering and engine. I hope the car will make it to the mechanic.
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).
Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2023
Acceleration isn’t steady. Sometimes at a stop, the car won’t go for a few seconds and when it does, it jolts. When driving, the RPM also seems to go crazy, it doesn’t stay steady like other cars I’ve driven. Someone can inspect the car but I don’t have money to pay, and I can’t travel to a dealership for inspection either. When the acceleration decides to mess up, it’s dangerous especially at stop signs or stop lights that there are blind spots in, I’m terrified of getting hit because of the car failing to accelerate. The car hasn’t been inspected by anyone that I know of. It is a salvage rebuilt vehicle so I’m assuming the dealer that I bought it from checked everything before selling it. There was also no warning message whenever these things happen.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Nov 10, 2022
My headlights are very dim (very dangerous) to the point I can’t see 10 feet when the sun goes down. I never got a recall notice for Nissan 2013-2018 dim headlights. I need Nissan to remedy my car and have the headlamps replaced ASAP since I use the car to drive my elderly parents to their appts because I am their caregiver.
Other or unspecified, Oct 10, 2022
My husband was driving down a flat, smooth, paved road at 30 mph when both control arms on his vehicle broke. The car started "fish tailing" wildly, making the car extremely difficult to control and nearly causing an accident with my child in the car. No one has inspected it except for the dealer (in Jamestown, N.Y.). There were no warning lights or sounds on the dashboard prior to the incident and no indications of any failures after the incident either. My husband heard an odd sound at the exact moment the car started "fish tailing" wildly.
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2022
Driver side rear door lock malfunction. Will not lock or unlock with power button or keyless remote system. Manual lock very hard to lock/unlock.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 6, 2022
My car battery died as I turned off the engine in a parking lot. I was unable to unlock the electronic locks. I was stuck in my car for 20 minutes at 100 degree heat before help arrived and was able to assist. There is not a manual unlock mechanism in the interior of the car that would have helped me. I even searched online for any way to let me exit the car with no electricity. If I had been farther away, my health would’ve been very compromised- I am just lucky I did not have a child with me. As a person with multiple health issues, this scenario has me absolutely terrified.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 27, 2022, crash
I HAVE BEEN IN 2 ACCIDENTS AND AIR BAG HAVE NEVER EXPLODED. THE AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK AND I HAVE BEEN TO NISSAN SEVERAL TIMES.
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2022
Both driver side and passenger sun visors will no longer stay in the up position. At any time while driving the sun visor falls and blocks the view of the road. The dealer has not confirmed this problem. I know many individuals who own the same make and model that are experiencing the same problems. The only warning was the sun visor was difficult flipping up or down.
Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2022
When I pull on handle to open my hood, it does not open.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 23, 2022
At less than 68,000 miles, the timing chain started to fail. There were oil leaks reported over 6,000 miles before but dealer said it was due to the oil change, but we now know it was the valve cover gasket. Losing power due to engine failure would be unsafe given power steering gone etc...
Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2022
Hi MY NAME IS [XXX], I HAVE ISSUE WITH MY CAR THAT I HAVE PURCHASE A NISSAN ALITMA 2015, WHEN I HAD BOUGHT IT IT ONLY HAD 43,200 MILES AND I ONLY DRIVEN IT 10,000 SOME MILES. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING TO GO TO A FUNERAL SERVICE FOR MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE SPEED JUST CUT OFF AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED. I ALMOST GOT INTO A ACCIDENT. I ALSO HAD TWO OTHER FAMILIES WITH ME IN MY CAR WITH ME. I AM ALSO PERMANTELY DISABLE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME ADDRESS BECAUSE IT WAS LATE AND EVERYTHING WAS CLOSED BY 6PM. I GOT SO MAD BECAUSE WE MISSED ATTENDING MY FAMILY MEMBERS FUNERAL. THE NEXT DAY I HAD TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSED IT AND SAID THE TRANSMISSION IS NO GOOD. I GOT UPSET BECAUSE I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR AND I DIDNT EVEN DRIVE IT MUCH AT ALL AND HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN. I BELIEVE THIS CAR WAS FAULTY SOLD TO ME. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT CAR AS DEFECTIVE AND NISSAN NOES ABOUT IT. I NEED YOUR HELP PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO BECAUSE NOW I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. SO PLEASE PLEASE GET BACK TO ME ON THIS PHONE NUMBER [XXX] AS SOON AS POSSIBLE HERE IS MY EMAIL ADDRESS [XXX] THANK YOU SO MUCH. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 1, 2022
The problem with the C17F1 cvt judder when pressing the gas the car would not go. So you turn car off. Then restart car pressing gas all the way down, and the car jumps forward and luckily doesn’t hit car in front of you. Nissan is well aware of cvt transmission problems on 2011 and 2015 Altima’s in which now it costs me $5400.00 to replace this transmission. Nissan should of advertised this car as LEMON transmission CAR because you are almost guaranteed to have the transmission replaced. My car has 102 thousand miles and I’m forced to Pay $5400.00 for this defected transmission that Nissan was well aware of. I hate this car that I have paid so much money for. On top of list price plus this repair that I will never get my money back costs over 27000 dollars. I’m retired and Nissan sold me a LEMON.
Other or unspecified, May 31, 2022, crash
I was in the left turning lane and my light was green. I looked before making the turn and I proceeded to turn into 177st on Jamaica. As I made the left turn into the lane the 2009 black Honda Accord was speeding and hit the back end of my car as I was already in the street that I was turning into and he left the scene. I called 911 and told them that the person had left the scene but within 10 minutes he returned and wanted to argue, people who saw came out in my defense and calmed him down, I then asked for documentation as the police suggested that we switch informations and he was hesitant in giving them to me so he called the police himself. When we did exchange information, his insurance and registration are in someone else’s name and they are both expired as of 2020.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 24, 2022
I'm having the same problem with this Nissan Altima 2015 that I had with my Nissan Altima 2010 where it was a recall on the CVT. There are times when I'm pressing the gas, and the car will not and I have to pull over, turn the car off, and turn it back on. When I'm at a stoplight, and I press the gas it will not accelerate with my foot all the way down on the gas. The car will then jerk, and take off really fast. There have been several times when I have almost had accidents.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 13, 2022
Took my car to Nissn dealership for water leak after heavy rain that could effect electrical components. Before they looked at they asked if I had a sunroof and advised it gets clogged easily with this vehicle and thats why I had water getting in my car. This is a known issue with Nissan but they dont address to consumers and. Mt car also had a mildew smell now as well