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2007 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Altima years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Nissan Altima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

372 reports with mileage · 99 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.

  • Suspension. Review the 121 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

28 crash reports22 fire reports13 injury reports

What owners actually said

471 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2022
Unknown Or Other

The dashboard is cracking. This causes me concern regarding the airbag and if it will function properly if ever needed. The entire dash has a crack the runs the length left to right and it makes it appear the bottom portion will fall to the floor one day. I started noticing this over the summer. I saw that in Florida there was a…

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The dashboard is cracking. This causes me concern regarding the airbag and if it will function properly if ever needed. The entire dash has a crack the runs the length left to right and it makes it appear the bottom portion will fall to the floor one day. I started noticing this over the summer. I saw that in Florida there was a class action to fix it. I just think it’s odd because this is an extra car that we no longer drive daily. It stays in a garage out of weather and so it should be perfect. We kept the car for our daughter who is now 16 and will be using it as she starts driving.

NHTSA ODI #11446255

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2021
Power Train

The Transmission failed at 51,000 miles. It has not come to a grinding halt yet but poses a safety hazard on any long trips. It was only a strange noise that varied with the acceleration that tipped us off that there might be a problem. The car is 14 years old now but my wife put very few miles on it and it still should be worki…

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The Transmission failed at 51,000 miles. It has not come to a grinding halt yet but poses a safety hazard on any long trips. It was only a strange noise that varied with the acceleration that tipped us off that there might be a problem. The car is 14 years old now but my wife put very few miles on it and it still should be working. Regularly maintained by my local Nissan dealer for the lifespan of the car. Having now seen many other notices on Nissan transmissions for this and other model years you think Nissan would have recalled the cars and addressed the problem. I am very disappointed with Nissan and will buy another brand for my wife's next car.

NHTSA ODI #11442311

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Car shuts down while being driven. Need to restart car, later shuts down again.

NHTSA ODI #11440360

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2021
Service BrakesCrash

As I was driving north on the 101 in the Carpinteria area, I attempted to brake for a construction zone slowdown. I had about 100ft to brake and was going 50mph compared to the 25mph of the cars up ahead. When I pressed the brakes, they did not fully engage and rather appeared to 'slip'. It felt like the brakes were engaged but …

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As I was driving north on the 101 in the Carpinteria area, I attempted to brake for a construction zone slowdown. I had about 100ft to brake and was going 50mph compared to the 25mph of the cars up ahead. When I pressed the brakes, they did not fully engage and rather appeared to 'slip'. It felt like the brakes were engaged but not limiting the slow of the car in a significant manner. I rear-ended the car in front of me causing that car to hit the car in front of it. I could smell a strong burnt smell during and after the event. The car and brake piece are still available for inspection for another week or so until insurance is done investigating the car for the report, at which point it will be signed over to the scrapyard where it is currently being held (Steelhead Auto Recycler). This incident absolutely endangered my own life and the lives of the individuals of multiple vehicles around me. If I were going 10mph more than I was at the time I wouldn't be typing this message right now. I had absolutely no control over the speed of the car, and because of the construction there was no way to avoid the car in front of me. The lives of the family in the car in front of me were also especially endangered. The specific piece is not being inspected by the manufacturer or the police, although it possibly could be investigated once insurance does follow up with the report. There were no warnings that this was going to occur. In fact the car had its brakes checked just 2 years prior to this incident and it completely passed inspection with no concerns. Brake failure is not an experience I would wish on anyone in the world. It is absolutely petrifying in the moment and can result in devastation of so many lives.

NHTSA ODI #11433736

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2021
Air BagsCrash

The driver side door airbag did not deploy after major side impact by a box truck that never engaged the braking system. The Altima under went a safety inspection approximately 30 days prior to the accident. There were no warning lights on the vehicle. The vehicle has been inspected by the NJ State Police, involved Insurance com…

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The driver side door airbag did not deploy after major side impact by a box truck that never engaged the braking system. The Altima under went a safety inspection approximately 30 days prior to the accident. There were no warning lights on the vehicle. The vehicle has been inspected by the NJ State Police, involved Insurance companies and outside engineers. The driver ,my son, of the Altima, was fatally injured due to head trauma. We are unable to load the final police report to the upload link through this form. We can provide the pdf report in a separate cover as needed.

NHTSA ODI #11432060

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2021
Unknown Or Other

My 2007 Altima dashboard has been cracking for a few years. The car is parked inside the garage, and during the day while at work, is parked at a parking deck. The dashboard is getting worse over the year at the point pieces of the board are coming off exposing the yellow foam and cracking on areas where the sun don’t reach at.…

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My 2007 Altima dashboard has been cracking for a few years. The car is parked inside the garage, and during the day while at work, is parked at a parking deck. The dashboard is getting worse over the year at the point pieces of the board are coming off exposing the yellow foam and cracking on areas where the sun don’t reach at. The cracks are all over the dashboard panel and white patches (like board melting) around the glove compartment.

NHTSA ODI #11430242

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2021
Unknown Or Other

My 2007 Altima dashboard has been melting and cracking for years now. The car is generally parked inside garage during work hours in day light. The deterioration has gotten to the point that glare on the windshield dangerously obstructs the view of the road, especially in sunny weather down in south Florida. The cracks are even…

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My 2007 Altima dashboard has been melting and cracking for years now. The car is generally parked inside garage during work hours in day light. The deterioration has gotten to the point that glare on the windshield dangerously obstructs the view of the road, especially in sunny weather down in south Florida. The cracks are even in places where no sunlight reaches and causes my cabin to smell from melting dash My dashboard lights have also flickered on and off and gave me warning messages that went away on its own. I have taken my car to mechanic multiple times but they asked to contact manufacturer.

NHTSA ODI #11421465

206,851 miles · Apr 24, 2021
Electrical SystemService BrakesStructureCrash

THE OWNERS AND OR SELLERS OF THIS DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING VEHICLE THAT WAS SOLD TO ME KNOWING THAT THE CAR WAS IN EXTREMELY BAD CONDITION. THESE CRIMINALS SOLD ME THE VEHICLE KNOWING THAT IT WAS NOT SMOG CLEARED OR APPROVED. THEY SOLD ME A FATAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO O HAPPEN! THEY INTENTIONALLY MODIFIED THE ODOMETER/MILEAG…

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THE OWNERS AND OR SELLERS OF THIS DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING VEHICLE THAT WAS SOLD TO ME KNOWING THAT THE CAR WAS IN EXTREMELY BAD CONDITION. THESE CRIMINALS SOLD ME THE VEHICLE KNOWING THAT IT WAS NOT SMOG CLEARED OR APPROVED. THEY SOLD ME A FATAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO O HAPPEN! THEY INTENTIONALLY MODIFIED THE ODOMETER/MILEAGE TO 85K/95K... BUT WHEN I RAN A CHECK ON CAR FAX, IT CLEARLY SHOWED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS 206,851 MILES OF WEAR AND TEAR TO ENGINE. THE BREAK SYSTEM ALMOST KILLED ME ON THE FREEWAY AND MADE ME LOSE CONTROL AND FORCEFULLY MADE ME SPIN OUT OF DRIVING CONTROL FOR 3 FULL SPINS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY, BU THE GRACE OF GOD, I MISSED ALL INCOMING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #11413635

59,000 miles · Feb 4, 2021
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE OWNER WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OCCUPANT SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE OWNER WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OCCUPANT SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER HUDSON NISSAN LOCATED AT 7331 RIVERS AVE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V521000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ODI #11394651

184,600 miles · Dec 4, 2020
EnginePower Train

I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR STARTED SHAKING. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD TO GO GET IT CHECKED OUT SO I DID AND THE GUY SAID MY TRANSMISSION COULD EXPLODE ON ME, STOP WHILE I'M DRIVING, OR STOP WORKING RANDOMLY.

NHTSA ODI #11377870

Official recalls

3

08V521000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:software

Oct 7, 2008

NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Air Bags

NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

07V599000 · Electrical System:ignition:module

Dec 28, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) REPLACED DURING SERVICE AT A DEALERSHIP, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY DEACTIVATED DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE DEALER SERVICE SOFTWARE. IF THE TPMS IS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT ALERT THE DRIVER TO A DECREASE IN THE TIRE PRESSURE AS DESIGNED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IS UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TPMS FUNCTION AND REACTIVATE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

07V267000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Jun 21, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, IF A SUFFICIENTLY HOT OBJECT ENTERS THE AIR FILTER HOUSING THROUGH THE ENGINE FRESH AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND CONTACTS THE ENGINE AIR FILTER, THE FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL ARE SUCH THAT THE FILTER MAY IGNITE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL IGNITES, A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR FILTER WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS IMPROVED ANTI-FLAMMABILITY MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 3, 2007, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

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

2

PE11020 · Brake Master Cylinder Internal Leak

Opened May 23, 2011 · Closed Mar 14, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE11-020 to investigate possible brake performance loss due to brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder into the brake booster in the subject vehicles.A total of 237 complaints were identified by ODI and Nissan.The majority of complaints and warranty claims reported that brake malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illumination as the only symptom of a problem.Only 12 complaints alleged any effect on brake performance and in each of these the drivers were able to stop the vehicles without incident.No crash claims could be attributed to the alleged defect. Returned part analysis data provided by Nissan showed that most of the master cylinders replaced under warranty did not have a leak condition.These replacements may have resulted from brake MIL illumination due to pad wear.For most of the warranty claims, in a few cases where a master cylinder leak was found, Nissan's testing showed that the leaks were extremely slow and would require thousands of miles or months of driving before brake performance could be affected.After an extensive study of replaced master cylinders for a presumed leak, Nissan was unable to identify any concern with the parts or design of the subject components that could affect brake performance. Nevertheless, Nissan does recognize a concern with premature brake MIL illumination and has decided to address this problem by conducting a voluntary service campaign covering approximately 1.17 million model year 2007 through 2012 Altima vehicles (up to June 25, 2011 production, the date of Nissan's running change for the longer life brake pad).Nissan's owner letter for the service campaign states, As your brake pads wear over time, the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir will drop and may cause the brake warning lamp to illuminate.?Although this is a normal condition, there has been concern that the brake warning light illumination may be caused by a slow fluid leak over time.Nissan's service campaign will inspect the brake pads and test the master cylinder for leakage.If leakage is detected, Nissan will replace the master cylinder at no charge.If excessive pad wear is observed, customers will be notified and will be responsible for repairs.For more details concerning Nissan's service campaign, see the PE11-020 file on www.Safercar.gov. Based on the low failure rate for confirmed master cylinder leakage in the subject vehicles and the low probability that the condition would affect brake performance, this investigation is closed.

PE07026 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened May 22, 2007 · Closed Jun 27, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

NISSAN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY ON JUNE 18, 2007 THAT IT WILL RECALL (RECALL # 07V267) ALL MY 2007 ALTIMA VEHICLES WITH 2.5 LITER ENGINE BUILT AT THE SMYRNA, TENNESSEE PLANT FROM SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 TO MAY 11, 2007 AND AT THE CANTON, MISSISSIPPI PLANT FROM OCTOBER 30, 2006 TO MAY 11, 2007.NISSAN DETERMINED THAT IF A SUFFICIENTLY HOT OBJECT (FOR EXAMPLE, A CIGARETTE ASH OR OTHER IGNITION SOURCE) ENTERS THE AIR FILTER HOUSING THROUGH THE ENGINE FRESH AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND CONTACTS THE AIR FILTER, THE FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL ARE SUCH THAT THE FILTER MAY IGNITE.IF THE AIR FILTER IGNITES, A FIRE MAY OCCUR.VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THESE DATES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A DIFFERENT AIR FILTER.NISSAN WILL REMOVE THE ORIGINAL AIR FILTER AND INSTALL A NEW UNIT WITH IMPROVED ANTI-FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS.ODI IS AWARE OF 26 REPORTS OF FIRE (OF WHICH THREE WERE REPORTED DIRECTLY TO BOTH ODI AND NISSAN) AND NO INJURIES.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

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