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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
29,000 miles · Jul 17, 2011
Suspension

I AM THE OWNER OF A NISSAN ALTIMA 2007 3.5 SL V6 WITH 29,000 MILES. THE REAR SWAY BAR SNAPPED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I AM GETTING ESTIMATES FOR REPAIR. IVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS. WHY WASN'T THERE A RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10413211

40,763 miles · Jul 15, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PROBLEM: MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE IT DISCOVERED DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE APPOINTMENT PRIOR TO ANY BRAKE PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD. WHEN I GOT HOME, I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE. IN DOING SO, I DISCOVERED THAT THE NHTSA HAD RECEIVED SEVERAL…

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PROBLEM: MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE IT DISCOVERED DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE APPOINTMENT PRIOR TO ANY BRAKE PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD. WHEN I GOT HOME, I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE. IN DOING SO, I DISCOVERED THAT THE NHTSA HAD RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND WAS INVESTIGATING IT. ALSO, THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL OF 2007 NISSAN SENTRAS DUE TO THE SAME COMPONENT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS WELL AS A COSTLY REPAIR JOB SO PLEASE ADD MY COMPLAINT TO YOUR FILE. THANKS. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10412431

43,000 miles · Jul 8, 2011
Suspension

REAR SWAY BAR IS CRACKED AND BROKE IN TWO PIECES WHEN REMOVED FROM THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10411570

40,850 miles · Jul 1, 2011
Suspension

REAR PASSENGER SWAY BAR SNAPPED WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10410170

150,000 miles · Jun 22, 2011
Suspension

REAR SWAY BAR ON MY 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA APPEARS TO HAVE SNAPPED IN TWO FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO EVENT I CAN POINT TO THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THAT. AFTER ONLINE RESEARCH BECAME AWARE THAT OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME OCCURRENCE. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO RECALL DUE TO THIS PART FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10408452

70,120 miles · Jun 21, 2011
Suspension

I OWN A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. SINGLE CAR OWNER - NO ABUSE OR DAMAGE. HEARD SOMETHING DRAGGING UNDER CAR YESTERDAY 6-20-11. STOPPED TO LOOK UNDER CAR - SOMETHING DRAGGING BY REAR PASSENGER TIRE. TOOK CAR TO FIRESTONE - WAS TOLD REAR SWAY BAR BROKEN. GUY AT FIRESTONE SAID HE HAS REPAIRED 3 OF THESE ON NISSAN ALTIMA'S IN PAST 6 …

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I OWN A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. SINGLE CAR OWNER - NO ABUSE OR DAMAGE. HEARD SOMETHING DRAGGING UNDER CAR YESTERDAY 6-20-11. STOPPED TO LOOK UNDER CAR - SOMETHING DRAGGING BY REAR PASSENGER TIRE. TOOK CAR TO FIRESTONE - WAS TOLD REAR SWAY BAR BROKEN. GUY AT FIRESTONE SAID HE HAS REPAIRED 3 OF THESE ON NISSAN ALTIMA'S IN PAST 6 MONTHS. FUNNY THING, I CALLED LARGE NISSAN DEALER AND ASKED IF A RECALL WAS IN PLACE. LARGE NISSAN DEALER HAS NO IDEA THAT SO MANY REAR SWAY BARS ON 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA'S BROKEN. EVEN SAID THAT THEY HAVE NOT SEEN SUCH AT THEIR DEALERSHIP...HMMMMM! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10407724

46,676 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ON JUNE 8, 2009 TOOK VEHICLE INTO NISSAN NORTH FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, BUT ALSO REQUESTED THE BRAKES TO BE CHECKED BECAUSE THEY HAD JUST RECENTLY BEGAN TO GRIND. WITH THIS SERVICE, NISSAN NOTED A COMPLETE BRAKE INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED AND NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. BEFORE I GOT HOME, THE BRAKES BEGAN GRINDI…

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ON JUNE 8, 2009 TOOK VEHICLE INTO NISSAN NORTH FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, BUT ALSO REQUESTED THE BRAKES TO BE CHECKED BECAUSE THEY HAD JUST RECENTLY BEGAN TO GRIND. WITH THIS SERVICE, NISSAN NOTED A COMPLETE BRAKE INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED AND NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. BEFORE I GOT HOME, THE BRAKES BEGAN GRINDING AGAIN SO TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK INTO NISSAN NORTH ON JUNE 9, 2009. ALTHOUGH, JUST THE DAY BEFORE WE'D BEEN TOLD NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG WITH THE BRAKES THEY CHARGED US $100.00 TO MACHINE THE FRONT ROTORS. ON JULY 8, 2009 TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK INTO NISSAN NORTH BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE NOW GRINDING MUCH WORSE THAN INITIALLY. NISSAN SAID THEY COULD LUBRICATE PADS, BUT NOT MUCH ELSE. ON MARCH 19, 2010 TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK INTO NISSAN AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT PADS AND TURNED THE ROTORS AS WELL AS REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES AND TURNED THE DRUMS AND ROTORS AT A COST OF $400.00 TO US. BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED OFF AND ON, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS AND NISSAN SAYS THIS HAPPENS SOMETIMES? JUNE 2011 THE BRAKE LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED, AND HAS CONTINUED TO DO SO INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ODI #10409469

48,614 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Unknown Or Other

ON JULY 8, 2009 TOOK VEHICLE INTO NISSAN NORTH FOR SERVICE AND REQUESTED THEY CHECK THE SUNROOF AS WELL, IT HAD BEEN SQUEAKING WHEN OPERATED - OPENING AND CLOSING. NISSAN LUBED THE TRACK. ON MARCH 19, 2010 TOOK VEHICLE INTO NISSAN NORTH FOR SERVICE AND REQUESTED THEY CHECK THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF, SUNROOF STILL SQUEAKING OFF AN…

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ON JULY 8, 2009 TOOK VEHICLE INTO NISSAN NORTH FOR SERVICE AND REQUESTED THEY CHECK THE SUNROOF AS WELL, IT HAD BEEN SQUEAKING WHEN OPERATED - OPENING AND CLOSING. NISSAN LUBED THE TRACK. ON MARCH 19, 2010 TOOK VEHICLE INTO NISSAN NORTH FOR SERVICE AND REQUESTED THEY CHECK THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF, SUNROOF STILL SQUEAKING OFF AND ON WHEN OPERATED - OPENING AND CLOSING. NISSAN LUBED WINDOWS FOR NOISE. JUNE 2011 TOOK VEHICLE INTO NISSAN NORTH BECAUSE SUNROOF MADE AND AWFUL NOISE AND STOPPED WORKING IN MID-CLOSE. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN MANUALLY HAD TO CLOSE THE SUNROOF.

NHTSA ODI #10409468

3,000 miles · Jun 15, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST TRACTION AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF BY REMOVING THE KEY F…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST TRACTION AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF BY REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE ENGINE REMAINED ON AFTER THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SMOKE ESCAPING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD IT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE TO OCCUR. WHEN THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE DEALER DID NOT NOTIFY HIM OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V267000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND COULD BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ODI #10406974

81,610 miles · Jun 13, 2011
Suspension

07 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN FACTORY REAR SWAY BAR SNAPPED UNEXPECTEDLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10406232

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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