2021 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Forward collision avoidance is the leading concern among 70 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 22nd highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 7 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraSep 8, 2023
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C3.
Campaign 23V628000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, linkages, tie rod assemblyMar 4, 2021
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.
A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PC795.
Campaign 21V138000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
70 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 28, 2023
When traveling in a rental from SFO to Concord CA, on the Bay Bridge at 9 am on the 26 of September 2023, just as I entered the underpass section near Treasure Island, the front sensor malfunctioned and auto braked from 47 mph to 28, generated audible, tactile, and visual alarms, even though the car in front was not decelerating (auto lights, tail lights in from of me as the car went into a dark section of road may have been misinterpreted). I was almost crashed into. Scariest experience in 37 years of driving. No over ride.
Forward collision avoidance, Sep 2, 2023
I purchased my car from Sheehy Nissan of Waldorf on November 1, 2022. At the time of purchase the vehicle had 38,709 miles. It reportedly had one previous owner and was originally titled on 3/11/2021. From the day I purchased this vehicle I have had trouble with the automatic emergency braking system. I am experiencing sudden unintended brake activation in various situations. I have experienced the emergency braking system activating when I am driving at high speeds (60-70 mph) with nothing in front of me. I have had it automatically brake when I am in traffic maintaining safe distances and speeds. I have experienced it braking when I have been leaving a parking garage - again with nothing near or around my vehicle. When this occurs, it is when the warning lights turn off. So, it is completely random and unpredictable. The warning light turns on 100% of the time I drive the vehicle. I took my car to Sheehy Nissan of Waldorf for repair of this issue on 3/28/23, 6/13/23, and 8/3/23, but, to date, they have been unable to correct the problem. Most recently (8/25/23) I was given an estimate of an additional $1,977.43 for a 4th attempt to fix this problem. I met with the Service Manager, [XXX] , on 8/28/23 to discuss the matter. He said he would talk to the Nissan area rep and their warranty rep and get back to me. Two days later he responded that the area rep offered to cover 40% of the repair cost, making my cost $808.96 for the 4th repair attempt. As you are aware, this is a known issue with this vehicle and many other Nissan models. The NHTSA started an investigation into Nissan regarding this issue in September 2019. There have been multiple lawsuits and class action suits against Nissan for this same problem, yet they continue to sell these vehicles without fixing the problem or issuing a recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 5, 2023
1. The automatic emergency braking activated while approaching a railway crossing. And yes, it is available for inspection. 2. If anyone had been behind me, it very likely would have resulted in a collision. 3. Not yet confirmed by the dealer, but has happened to me three times. 4. No. 5. No warning before the malfunction.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 4, 2023
While driving, most times at higher speeds, the light with the car and lines behind it (VDC light?) will turn on, and then a minute later the front and back AEB lights turn on and the dashboard says “malfunction: see owner’s manual.” This happens multiple times per week, sometimes multiple times a day. There have been other recalls for this issue with other Nissan Altima years with this system.
Service brakes, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 25, 2023
On two separate occasions, during intermittent weather changes, my vehicle has giving me notice of forward warning collision being disabled or has flashed on my dashboard. Same goes with my rear collision warnings. My car has also force-brake while driving under 30 mph. I don't know if there is a safety issue with the alignment of the radars in the newer models but its caused a fear of driving my family in that car.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 23, 2023
On two separate occasions my vehicle stopped on its own. Once while doing roughly 35mph the brakes applied on their own and the car stopped immediately. The second time I was at a.traffic light that had just turned green as I began to accelerate the brakes locked up and the car stopped immediately. What are my options regarding this issue.that I am having?
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 4, 2023, crash
I was driving on the interstate in a construction zone and begin reducing speed from about 62 mph after noticing brake lights from cars in the far distance. As the car start to reduce speed, I begin to apply the brakes as I'm approaching the stopped traffic and instead of stopping my car kept going. I pressed the brakes harder, and the car began to slide. After sliding about 9-10 car lengths, I was stopped by rear ending the vehicle in front of me. There was an error message on the dash "Chassis Control System Error See Owner's Manual" that appeared on the dash. I was struck in the back by a Toyota 4Runner resulting in my car being totaled.
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, May 31, 2023
Unknown. But upon googling I’ve discovered a recall for ball joint separating from steering column due to bolt not tightened properly which explains the noise I’ve heard since I got It which has now progressed to popping even up exiting the vehicle and shutting the door. Yet, “0 unrepaired recalls” according to you.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, May 5, 2023, crash
Driving down the street a truck in front of the lady in front of me. It was a green light he decided to stop. She stopped I put I started to stop my brakes would not stop the car nor did the emergency front collision brakes work I could not stop the car.
Seats, Apr 20, 2023
The drive seat warmer heats up even when the warmer button is off. Also the driver seat seems to be not bolted down correctly you can feel the seat trying to come up when turning and braking
Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2023
My car completely malfunctioned, the first time my car only had 2,000 miles on it. I was sitting at a red light on a busy Atlanta Rd. The vehicle went completely dead, I mean I could not even turn on the emergency flashers- " nothing worked" Dead car! I could not go anywhere for about 2 minutes. People honking and getting aggressive in traffic started up in about 2 minutes or so. I stopped in told the service people about it, at the dealership I purchased my car. The service men said it is nothing, it happened to me. They told It would be OK. Now, 2 years later. My car is still under full warranty it had 10,000 miles on it. The same exact thing happened again, in traffic. I told Nissan dealership when I got my oil changed. Told them what happened again. OH you would have a long wait, we are completely booked up in our Diagnostic Dept. They also quoted me a price that was a few hundred for the diagnostic test. I replied to them, My car is still under full warranty. They blew me off again. "saying the vehicle has to be having the problem, for diagnostic to pick up on it. lol Yes, I look like stupid blonde who knows nothing about cars. Thank you
Forward collision avoidance, Feb 4, 2023
front impact radar malfunction. The light on the console would come on intermittently. I took the car to the dealer and they said the front radar was defective and they replaced the front radar. Not even two months have passed and the light is back on. This can cause your car to suddenly stop causing you to be rear ended because the car thinks you are in danger. It affects the automatic emergency braking system. This car is brand new and just went over 10,000 miles. It recently had it's first service and now I have to take it back and get it checked again.
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH in a rainstorm, the automatic emergency braking system warning light illuminated, however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact continued to drive and noticed that once they cleared the rainstorm the warning light disengaged. The contact informed the dealer and was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA ID Number: 10207869 (Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the rainstorm could have caused water to enter into the sensors for the automatic emergency brake to become defective. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 17, 2022
The forward emergency braking system periodically will engage with no reason. I did not record the first date this happened. It was in July 2021. This first happened not long after I purchased the car last year on the interstate in heavy traffic with low speed and nothing close enough to set it off. Sometimes just the emergency light will just appear and disappear quickly and sometimes it comes on and the brakes go on. The dealer service and the regional technician has inspected it a few times and could find no error but it only happens sporadically. I checked recently and there is a class action suit against Nissan for the same problem in Tennessee. There seems to be the same problem with other models from 2019 to present.
Tires, Jun 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: ProContact, Tire Size: 215/55/R17, DOT Number: VY3RWCN5(3621). The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the TPMS showed that the tire pressures were low. After stopping the vehicle, the contact discovered a blowout of the driver’s side rear tire. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000.
Visibility, Apr 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a rock hit the front windshield, causing the windshield to crack. The contact scheduled an appointment with an auto glass company to have the front windshield replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 19, 2022
I bought the car in nov. 2021. I was at a store parked I put the car in reverse ,the car started to move, it made a lot of noise and it stoped. there was nothing behind me. This has happen about four times backing out of my driveway a lot of noise and the car stops. I took it to the dealer once and they told me that they could not find any problems.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 25, 2022
The contact rented a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the driver's side door was locked and failed to open with the door handle or the key fob. The contact was able to exit the vehicle through the passenger’s side window. The contact was also unable to open the door from the outside. The contact had to use the key to unlock the door. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 26, 2021, crash
While driving home from work I experienced my fourth or fifth malfunction error flashing across my digital display. It scares me because this time is different. This time the flash made the seat vibrate and before I had a chance to react, I totally lost control Of my steering even though I had my hand family placed on each side of the wheel none of my maneuvers resulting in the tires moving in any direction. I was trying to straighten myself out but the trajectory Steered me to the right side of the road and up over the curb which tore out my front end And, had it not been for my superb braking skills, id be headfirst into a big cement hole on the side of the road. Brakes We’re locked out until I pressed on them 15,000 times it seems. Fortunately I am the only one hurt, I’m grateful that no one else has been involved in this malfunction of supposed quality machinery. But this is a ridiculous thing to have happened to listen 1000 miles in the car, this thing has been malfunctioning since the first day that I drove it off the lot. No clue who to get in touch until I started researching this Very same thing, and I am terrified for anyone else driving one of these vehicles right now, because It can Totally happened to you, and you may not be so lucky to have all the injuries only for yourself.
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Nov 10, 2021
First of all I know there is a break in period. The stering seems to be loose at times almost to loose when I’m turning , especially a more sharper turn. The brakes are loud at a stop almost like they are warped but it only has 300 miles.the suspension, brakes,,underneath the front end, and the steering do not feel like they are one unit.