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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.

About this comparison →

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
59,400 miles · Nov 9, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON, SO I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THERE'S A LEAK IN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435007

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2011
Power Train

NO ACCELERATE AFTER BRAKE AT INTERSECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434732

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SINCE I HAVE GOTTEN MY 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA, THERE HAS BEEN VARIOUS ISSUES/PROBLEMS WITH IT. ONE OF MY COMPLAINTS HAS BEEN THE BRAKES. I WAS TOLD BY MY DEALERSHIP THAT THE SQUEAKY SCREECHING NOISE IS NORMAL FOR ALL NISSAN'S WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A BUNCH OF CRAP. THROUGH THE YEARS, NO MATTER IF REPLACING BRAKE PADS TO CALIBERS I S…

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SINCE I HAVE GOTTEN MY 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA, THERE HAS BEEN VARIOUS ISSUES/PROBLEMS WITH IT. ONE OF MY COMPLAINTS HAS BEEN THE BRAKES. I WAS TOLD BY MY DEALERSHIP THAT THE SQUEAKY SCREECHING NOISE IS NORMAL FOR ALL NISSAN'S WHICH I THOUGHT WAS A BUNCH OF CRAP. THROUGH THE YEARS, NO MATTER IF REPLACING BRAKE PADS TO CALIBERS I SHOULD NOT HAVE THE SQUEAKING STILL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434422

95,000 miles · Nov 5, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. ADDED BRAKE FLUID AND LIGHT WENT OFF. BRAKES BECAME INCREASINGLY MUSHY AND SOMETIMES IT APPEARED THAT BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL AS BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. FREQUENTLY HAD TO PUMP BRAKES WELL BEFORE INTERSECTION TO MAKE SURE I WAS ABLE TO STOP. TOOK TO DEALER AND SPENT $625.08 TO REPLACE M…

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BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. ADDED BRAKE FLUID AND LIGHT WENT OFF. BRAKES BECAME INCREASINGLY MUSHY AND SOMETIMES IT APPEARED THAT BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL AS BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. FREQUENTLY HAD TO PUMP BRAKES WELL BEFORE INTERSECTION TO MAKE SURE I WAS ABLE TO STOP. TOOK TO DEALER AND SPENT $625.08 TO REPLACE MASTER CYLINDER. IT APPEARS THAT NISSAN HAS KNOWN OF THE DEFECT FOR SOME TIME AND ISN'T CONCERNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434343

28,000 miles · Nov 2, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY NISSAN 2007 ALTIMA. I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW WITH ONLY A FEW HUNDRED MILES. I HAVE HAD AN OIL LEAKING PROBLEM ( FIRST IT ONLY LEAKED WHEN PARKED, GOT FIXED & NOW LEAKS WHEN DRIVING ONLY), ENGINE RATTLE, CLICKING WHEN DRIVING AND NOT MOVING(SOUNDS LIKE DIESEL ENGINE), TRANSMISSION FEELS UNSMOOTH S…

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I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY NISSAN 2007 ALTIMA. I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW WITH ONLY A FEW HUNDRED MILES. I HAVE HAD AN OIL LEAKING PROBLEM ( FIRST IT ONLY LEAKED WHEN PARKED, GOT FIXED & NOW LEAKS WHEN DRIVING ONLY), ENGINE RATTLE, CLICKING WHEN DRIVING AND NOT MOVING(SOUNDS LIKE DIESEL ENGINE), TRANSMISSION FEELS UNSMOOTH SOMETIMES WHEN SHIFTING(SINCE PURCHASED BUT BLAMED ON CVT TRANSMISSION & NOT BEING USED TO IT), BUTTON UNDER BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE REPLACED (CAR WOULDN'T START WHEN PUSHING BUTTON AND THOUGHT IT WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM, BUT BUTTON UNDER FOOT PEDAL WAS STICKING & WASN'T GETTING CONTACT TO START CAR) BELTS WERE RUBBING STRANGE, HAD TO BE REPLACED. TIRES ARE TOO SMALL FOR CAR, EVERY SPEED BUMP I GROUND OUT. ENGINE HESITATES SOMETIMES ON HIGHWAY. I'VE HAD THIS CAR WORKED ON AND MAINTAINED PERFECTLY AND I HAVE HAD ALOT OF ISSUES. I WANT TO GET A NEW CAR BUT FEEL BAD SELLING THIS TO ANYONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434016

58,800 miles · Oct 30, 2011
Suspension

REAR SWAY BAR SNAPPED. THIS CAR IS DRIVEN IN NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS AT NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS,ON SMOOTH ROADS(TO SCHOOL AND CHURCH). HAVE NOT DRIVEN OVER ANYTHING OR HAD ANY COLLISIONS. THE BAR JUST SNAPPED ALL OF A SUDDEN( WE SAW IT HANGING OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433606

46,000 miles · Oct 20, 2011
Suspension

REAR SWAY BAR BROKE DURING NORMAL DRIVING / OPERATION. THE SWAY BAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE THROUGH AT THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUSHING. THE BROKEN SECTION WAS EVENTUALLY OBSERVED DANGLING BENEATH VEHICLE CAUSING OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. THE EXACT MILAGE OF COMPONENT FAILURE IS UNKNOWN AS BAR LIKELY WAS SUPPORTED BY BUSHING FOR SOME…

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REAR SWAY BAR BROKE DURING NORMAL DRIVING / OPERATION. THE SWAY BAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE THROUGH AT THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUSHING. THE BROKEN SECTION WAS EVENTUALLY OBSERVED DANGLING BENEATH VEHICLE CAUSING OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. THE EXACT MILAGE OF COMPONENT FAILURE IS UNKNOWN AS BAR LIKELY WAS SUPPORTED BY BUSHING FOR SOMETIME BEFORE BECOMING VISABLE. THIS SITUATION REALLY WARRENTS A RECALL IN MY OPINION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10432217

25,000 miles · Oct 17, 2011
Unknown Or Other

BRAKE LIGHT IN CAR WENT ON JUST PRIOR TO 25000 MILES, BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER BECAUSE IT WAS RECALLED IN THE NISSAN SENTRA. RESULT WAS THAT IT WAS THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER, TOLD HAD TO REPAIR DUE TO IT BEING HAZARDOUS. HAD TO PAY OVER $600 FOR A REPAIR TO A PART THAT COMPANY…

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BRAKE LIGHT IN CAR WENT ON JUST PRIOR TO 25000 MILES, BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER BECAUSE IT WAS RECALLED IN THE NISSAN SENTRA. RESULT WAS THAT IT WAS THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER, TOLD HAD TO REPAIR DUE TO IT BEING HAZARDOUS. HAD TO PAY OVER $600 FOR A REPAIR TO A PART THAT COMPANY ALREADY KNOWS IS FAULTY.

NHTSA ODI #10430988

29,000 miles · Oct 12, 2011
Suspension

REAR SWAY BAR SNAPPED ON DRIVERS SIDE. NO RUST SEEN. HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON-LINE. WHATS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET A RECALL? A WHOLE FAMILY GETTING KILLED? *KB

NHTSA ODI #10429942

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

SUNDAY OCTOBER 2, 2011 MY CAR BEGAN LEAKING OIL UNEXPECTEDLY. IMMEDIATELY MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE HE DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL COOLER WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE MY CAR AS IT WAS LOSING TOO MUCH OIL. I CONTACTED COGGIN NISSAN AT THE AVENUES (904-880-3000), SPOKE WITH JASON IN TH…

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SUNDAY OCTOBER 2, 2011 MY CAR BEGAN LEAKING OIL UNEXPECTEDLY. IMMEDIATELY MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE HE DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL COOLER WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE MY CAR AS IT WAS LOSING TOO MUCH OIL. I CONTACTED COGGIN NISSAN AT THE AVENUES (904-880-3000), SPOKE WITH JASON IN THE PARTS DEPARTMENT, I EXPLAINED WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH MY VEHICLE AND HE INFORMED ME THAT HE HAS SEEN QUITE A FEW CARS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AS MINE WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. I STRONGLY FEEL THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS PART SINCE SO MANY CARS LIKE MINE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS ISSUE SHOULD BECOME PART OF A RECALL AND NISSAN SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE PRICE OF THE PART. UP UNTIL NOW I HAVE BEEN VERY SATISFIED WITH MY NISSAN. THIS HAS CAUSED ME A GREAT DEAL OF STRESS AND MONEY I DO NOT HAVE AS I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH A YOUNG CHILD TO SUPPORT. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING INTO THIS FOR ME.

NHTSA ODI #10429768

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.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems