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2001 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Nissan Altima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 231.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Compare all Altima years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

100 reports with mileage · 59 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports2 fire reports12 injury reports

What owners actually said

159 reports
75,000 miles · Oct 25, 2014
Air BagsCrash

WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR AND FRONT END BUCKLED BY THE CRASH AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY......FRONT END DAMAGE WAS APPROX $5500 DUE TO LOW MILES WAS REPAIRED ALTHOUGH WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649979

130,000 miles · Jul 22, 2014
Engine

CAR IS IDLING ROUGH AND WILL STALL AT LIGHTS OR ANYTIME STOPPED WHILE IN GEAR. HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE REAR ENDED ON MANY OCCASIONS BECAUSE IT WILL IDLE THEN STALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615385

102,855 miles · May 27, 2014
EngineSteering

WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL THE ENGINES RPM WOULD FALL BELOW 500 AND AT TIMES WOULD STALL THE ENGINE MAKING ME VULNERABLE TO A COLLISION. IT GOT SO BAD MY DAUGHTER WOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANICS OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR AND NO ONE COULD FIX THE PROBLEM TUNE UPS AND SUCH DID NOT FIX THE …

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WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL THE ENGINES RPM WOULD FALL BELOW 500 AND AT TIMES WOULD STALL THE ENGINE MAKING ME VULNERABLE TO A COLLISION. IT GOT SO BAD MY DAUGHTER WOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANICS OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR AND NO ONE COULD FIX THE PROBLEM TUNE UPS AND SUCH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, I SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WITH A SMOKE MACHINE AND HE FOUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD A LEAK AND THAT WAS THE PROBLEM COST $850.00 PLUS TAX. I RESEARCHED INTAKE MANIFOLD VACUUM LEAK ON THE 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF NISSAN OWNERS WITH THE SAME VACUUM LEAK! SEVERAL OF THE NISSAN OWNERS HAD TO MAKE THE REPAIR MORE THAN ONCE, SOME PEOPLE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON VARIOUS FIXES THAT DID NOT WORK, I WAS TOLD BY ONE MECHANIC THAT IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER LUCKILY I DID NOT GO FOR IT. I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE WHEN THE CAR STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD UNEXPECTEDLY IT LEAVES YOU WIDE OPEN FOR A CRASH OR WORSE!! I THINK NISSAN, NORTH AMERICA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR, IT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET OR POOR ENGINE DESIGN WHICH CAUSE'S THE GASKET TO FAIL- IT MAY ALSO BE TOO CLOSE TO A HEAT SOURCE (THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD) CAUSING THE GASKET TO FAIL. I THINK IT IS UNFAIR TO THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR BECAUSE IT HAPPENS TO SO MANY NISSAN'S. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594404

45,000 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WITH THE SEAT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WITH THE SEAT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10578159

103,255 miles · Jan 10, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND RESET TO ZERO. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUTDOWN AND RESTARTED AND THE GAUGES RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,255.

NHTSA ODI #10492083

60,000 miles · Oct 11, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT BOTH MOTOR MOUNTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT BOTH MOTOR MOUNTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 11/27/12 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10479813

66,000 miles · Jul 21, 2012
VisibilityVisibility/wiper

THE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED ON A CAR THAT WAS TRANSFERRED FROM A NON-"HOT" STATE, NEW YORK, TO A "HOT" STATE, FLORIDA. THE REGULATOR FAILED AFTER ONLY TWO MONTHS OF HOT WEATHER. THE REGULATORS WHERE NOT REPLACED IN INITIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN WHICH HAS NOW EXPIRED. NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE …

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THE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED ON A CAR THAT WAS TRANSFERRED FROM A NON-"HOT" STATE, NEW YORK, TO A "HOT" STATE, FLORIDA. THE REGULATOR FAILED AFTER ONLY TWO MONTHS OF HOT WEATHER. THE REGULATORS WHERE NOT REPLACED IN INITIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN WHICH HAS NOW EXPIRED. NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE REGULATORS AS IT WAS NOT A FULL RECALL ON ALL CARS. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT ONLY AFFECT HOT WEATHER STATES AS YEARS OF SUMMERS IN OTHER STATES CAN STILL WEAR DOWN AND DAMAGE REGULATORS IF THIS FAILURE WAS SO QUICK TO HAPPEN AFTER MOVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10466874

82,000 miles · May 1, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN INTAKE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN INTAKE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10457048

54,205 miles · Jan 30, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LOSE POWER INTERMITTENTLY, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LOSE POWER INTERMITTENTLY, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,205 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,312.

NHTSA ODI #10445827

159,999 miles · Dec 22, 2011
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THERE WAS A PIECE OF TAPE OVER THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND AUTO ZONE HELPED ME TAKE IT OFF. THE NISSAN DIED GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE AND I LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND BRAKES. LATER TO FIND THAT I NEEDED A OXYGEN SENSOR AND NOW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEA…

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WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THERE WAS A PIECE OF TAPE OVER THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND AUTO ZONE HELPED ME TAKE IT OFF. THE NISSAN DIED GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE AND I LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND BRAKES. LATER TO FIND THAT I NEEDED A OXYGEN SENSOR AND NOW ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED EVAC HOSES BUT ALL THE DEALER DID WAS UNHOOK ONE SO THEY COULD CHARGE ME FOR CODES BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIND MY PROBLEM WITH NO ENGINE LIGHT PRESENT. SO MY MECHANIC FOUND THE UNHOOKED HOSE AND PUT IT BACK ON AND IT WAS PREVIOUSLY NOT UNHOOKED. THE CAR DIES RANDOMLY IN TRAFFIC AND IS VERY HAZARDOUS TO BE REAR ENDED OR EVEN TO HIT SOME ONE ELSE WITH THE DEALER NOT EVEN KNOWING HOW TO PROPERLY RESOLVE THIS ISSUE???? MY MECHANIC WILL BE HELPING ME TO MAKE THIS CAR SAFER FOR ME TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10441042

Official recalls

1

01V065000 · Tires:tread/belt

Feb 23, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA-02 , SIZE P205/55R16 89H TIRES. THE RECALLED TIRES ARE IDENTIFIED BY DOT SERIAL #W2 T2 VF3 XXX OR W2 T2 VF3 XXXX; WHERE XXX MAY BE 289, 299, 309, 319, 329, 339, 349, 359, 369, 379, 389, 399, 409, 419, 429, 439, 449, 459, 469, 479, 489, 499, 509, 519, 529, 010, 020, 030, 040, 050, 060, 070, 080, 090, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 170, AND WHERE XXXX MAY BE 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900, 3000, 3100, 3200, 3300, 3400, 3500, 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900, 4000, 4100, 4200, 4300, 4400, AND 4500. WITH INCREASING MILEAGE, THE TIRES MAY DEVELOP SHOULDER AREA CRACKING. CONTINUED USE OF A TIRE WITH THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO EXPOSURE OF THE BELT EDGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, A BELT EDGE SEPARATION IS POSIBLE, WHICH COULD RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE.

Remedy: BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE WILL REPLACE THE TIRES WHICH WERE INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THESE ALTIMA VEHICLES. FIRESTONE IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED FIRESTONE DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE AT 1-800-465-1904.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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