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
953 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 9, 2022
The gear stick gets stuck when trying to shift gears it wont move from Parking, headlights seem to not give enough lighting when on, I have replaced the transmission after 3years of having the vehicle, I still owe on the loan and the vehicle still shakes when driving over 80mph on the freeway. I dont currently have any warning lights on the vehicle. I have taken the vehicle many times for repairs for the same complaint that the vehicle shakes when driving it and the problem still has not been resolved. I already spent a lot of money on trying to fix the problems.
Suspension, Aug 9, 2022
My rear Rear Lower Control Arm are both rusty and about to break
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, Aug 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the passenger's side air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Exterior lighting, Aug 1, 2022
Nissan has a recall for headlamps, i am an owner of a make and model and year of said recall, and have attempted to have headlamps corrected; dealership says i won’t receive the remedy. I cannot see with the current headlight and it is a safety issue.
Exterior lighting, Jul 29, 2022
Headlamps are very dim took vehicle for headlamps replacement, according to the dealership headlamps are okay. I am driving at night with basically no headlamps which makes it a safety hazard for me and other motor vehicles drivers.
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.
Exterior lighting, Jul 25, 2022
HEADLIGHTS LOW BEAMS DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, YOU CAN HARDLY SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT, AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BULBS, BUT I WENT TO BUY SOME LED LIGHTS TO SEE IF IT WORKED BETTER BUT IT DID NOT, I EVEN PAID FOR MY HEADLIGHTS TO BE POLISHED, BUT DID NOT SEE ANY CHANGE, I LOOKED FOR INFORMATION AND THERE WAS A LAW SUE AGAINST NISSAN FOR THE HEADLIGHTS, THEY FIND OUT THAT THE CHROME INSIDE THE LIGHT GETS DETERIORATED WITH TIME AND THAT CAUSES THAT THE LIGHT GET BLURRED,AND THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO BUY NEW HEADLIGHTS, WHICH I DONT THINK IS FAIR SINCE IS A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM AND NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE, PLUS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE YOU CAN NOT SEE CLEARLY AT NIGHT WHENYOU DRIVE.
Exterior lighting, Jul 20, 2022
Altima headlamps settlement Can’t drive at night due To dim headlamps Approved for replacement March 2022 by Nissan dealership Gray daniels in Brandon ms by service advisor Josiah Williams and his supervisor Called a month later and told they didn’t know when lamps Would be available Called last week to Josiah’s personal phone ,left a msg and have Not gotten a callback
Structure, Jul 19, 2022
Hood latch sensor doesn’t work
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.
Suspension, Air bags, Engine, Jul 14, 2022
My 2015 Nissan Altima, I've had it (7 years), started stopping without warning. Last week, I've had the valve cover replaced, because it was oil coming through one of the chambers of my spark plugs, I got a new battery, & I got the oil changed to make sure that everything was flowing correctly and running clean. Then it happened again. I put my car in park, I turned it off, and started again. There were no warning lights or codes that came across the dashboard. It was more frustrating because there's no warning no preparation it just does it so I did a system diagnostic ( Hitting the push to start button 5 times then hitting the door Button on the inside of the door jam 10 times then hitting the push to start button 3 times and the car will test all of the systems). My car was not running hot, there are no warning lights, you don't know when it's happening it feels like it's pulling or struggling with torque, and then before you know it you've come to a complete stop. It happened in the middle of an intersection. Multiple codes are hiding in the system, with no indications on the dash. The code discovered by my local mechanic was P7F1 (transmission code). This is based Tech Bulletin #NTB15083A. Hundreds of owners of Nissans have indicated the same issues with no resolve from Nissan or their local dealerships This is dangerous
Exterior lighting, Jul 7, 2022
I understand there was a recall on head lights! I called & was told they would send the information & I never received anything. I can’t see in front of me 4 feet. Something needs to be done. Vin# [XXX] Please someone help me!! Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jul 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH at night, the visibility of the roadway was difficult to see due to the low-beam headlights not providing adequate illumination. The contact used the hi-beam headlights for better visibility while driving. The contact also stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2022
When I pull on handle to open my hood, it does not open.
Exterior lighting, Jul 2, 2022
Driver side head light is defaulted does not reflect there for you are blind at night . I was pulled over by the cops and they told me that the next time I’m driving at night I will get a ticket…
Exterior lighting, Jun 27, 2022
My vehicle is part of the class action suit for Nissan Altima headlamp assemblies. I have gone through the proper channels with Nissan. In the interim I have had a bulb go out. At this point my car is dangerous to drive after dark and I must drive with high beams on. Nissan will not do anything to help except to say that I am on the list. I avoid driving after dark as much as possible, but some times it is absolutely necessary. Nissan is being negligent in this by not offering any solution and not being willing to help with the replacement bulb or trying to expedite the replacement of my headlamp assemblies. If there is an accident due to the state of the headlamps I will take legal action against Nissan.
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).
Exterior lighting, Jun 21, 2022
Nissan Altima headlights do not work effectively and barely illuminate the roadway. Recall was issued for headlight replacements months ago. Car was brought to dealership months ago for headlight inspection and approved for headlight replacements. Multiple phone calls have been made to find out when the actual headlight replacement will occur but still have not received an answer to if/when headlights will be replaced. Have tried replacing headlight bulbs with 3 different brands/types of bulbs and none of them make a difference with the brightness of headlights.
Exterior lighting, Jun 15, 2022
There was a class action lawsuit for the highlights on my Nissan. The first week of April 2022 we had the highlights check by a Nissan Dealer. We were told that it is included in the Lawsuit and that they would replace the highlights. They had to order them and would call when the came in. It has been two months and they keep saying the replacement highlights has not come in. I call the parts department and was told that I could come in and pay for them. Then they could have them next day. Call the service department and was told again that our car is on a waiting list for the highlights. They don't know when they will well have the replacement highlights. The car can not be driven at night without the high lights on. We were pull over one night for riding with the highlights on oncoming vehicles and told that it is not safe to drive the car until the lights are fixed.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 13, 2022
The vehicle failed to accelerate in a timely manner after stopping at a traffic light without warning.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the hood was unlatched and flew upward. The hood, fenders, and roof of the vehicle were damaged. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and closed the hood. The contact called the dealer and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact had been informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Electrical system, Jun 5, 2022
The headlights are extremely dim at night. after replacing them, it is still extremely hard to see at night which caused me to almost hit a person crossing the street
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.