IllustrationMY 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE AND A FIRE BEGAN IN THE ENGINE AREA. *TR
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 →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
670–25K
7625–50K
8450–75K
5575–100K
65100–150K
25150K+
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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE CONSOLE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH IT THERE WERE TWO BALLS OF FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE CONSOLE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH IT THERE WERE TWO BALLS OF FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND STATED THAT THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
I HAVE A RUBBING OR SCRAPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR ONLY WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE NISSAN DEALER COULD HEAR IT BUT COULD NOT ISOLATE IT. IT REALLY SOUNDS LIKE A TIRE RUBBING BUT THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM IN THE FENDER WELLS. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BACKING OR TURNING FROM A STOP. …
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I HAVE A RUBBING OR SCRAPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR ONLY WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE NISSAN DEALER COULD HEAR IT BUT COULD NOT ISOLATE IT. IT REALLY SOUNDS LIKE A TIRE RUBBING BUT THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM IN THE FENDER WELLS. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BACKING OR TURNING FROM A STOP. *TR
DRIVER SIDE SEAT SHIFTS LEFT AND RIGHT WHILE TURNING. NISSAN'S TSB FOR THIS ISSUE DOES NOT RESOLVE AND THEY REFUSE TO INSPECT FURTHER AFTER SPEAKING TO LAS VEGAS REGIONAL REP. *TR
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR LEAK. *TR
THE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER STATES THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY. THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER WITH THE MANUFACTURER, HOWEVER, THE DEALER HAS STATED THAT THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE PART IS AVAILABLE AND CAN BE REPLACED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE AND OBSERVED IT COMING OUT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTM…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE AND OBSERVED IT COMING OUT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT HAS NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. I HAVE A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. AS INDICATED BY THE SAFETY LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IN MY VEHICLE WILL TURN ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS IS DESPITE KNOWING THE PASSENGER WEIGHS FAR MORE (OVER 150 LBS) THAN THE SAFETY LIMITS FOR WHI…
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THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. I HAVE A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. AS INDICATED BY THE SAFETY LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IN MY VEHICLE WILL TURN ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS IS DESPITE KNOWING THE PASSENGER WEIGHS FAR MORE (OVER 150 LBS) THAN THE SAFETY LIMITS FOR WHICH THE AIRBAG SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO TURN OFF. THE AIRBAG INDICATOR WILL LIGHT NOTIFYING US THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS TURNED OFF AND WILL OFTEN REMAIN LIT FOR 20-30 MINUTES AT A TIME, BUT THE TIME WILL VARY. BUT ALMOST 60-70% OF THE TIME WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE FOR LONGER THAN 5 MINUTES, AT SOME POINT IN THE TRIP THE AIRBAG WILL TURN OFF FOR A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME. THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND I HAVE NOTIFIED NISSAN CORPORATE, NEITHER OF WHICH HAS RESULTED IN ANYTHING BEYOND A CURSORY INSPECTION WHICH RESULTED IN NO ACTION BEING DONE. THIS HAS BEEN ON-GOING FOR SOME TIME NOW. THE "INCIDENT DATE" REPORTED BELOW IS WHEN I FIRST BEGAN TO NOTICE THE ISSUE. BUT AGAIN, THIS IS AN ON-GOING ISSUE. RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THAT ON VARIOUS FORUMS, I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. AND AGAIN, THIS HAPPENS OFTEN ENOUGH THAT I THINK IT MORE THAN ACCOUNTS FOR SIMPLE "SITTING AWKWARDLY" OR IN A WEIRD POSITION. *TW
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHENEVER SOMEONE SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD FLASH INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER ON MARCH 9TH TO HAVE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR REPLACED. IN DECEMBER THE PROBLEM RECURRED WITH THE FRONT PA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHENEVER SOMEONE SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD FLASH INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER ON MARCH 9TH TO HAVE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR REPLACED. IN DECEMBER THE PROBLEM RECURRED WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS OFF. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND SENSOR AND THEY SENT A TECHNICIAN TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT OR SENSOR; THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISK INVOLVED DUE TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS INJURY IN THE EVENT A CRASH OCCURS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,211.
2007 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE REAR SWAY BAR SNAPPED IN TWO WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO DAMAGE TO THE SURROUNDING AREA WHERE THE BAR SNAPPED. AT CLOSE INSPECTION, THE BAR IS HOLLOW INSIDE. THERE ARE WEB BLOGS THAT I HAVE FOUND WHERE OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE SEE HERE... HTTP://WIKI.ANSWERS.COM/Q/SHOUL…
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2007 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE REAR SWAY BAR SNAPPED IN TWO WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO DAMAGE TO THE SURROUNDING AREA WHERE THE BAR SNAPPED. AT CLOSE INSPECTION, THE BAR IS HOLLOW INSIDE. THERE ARE WEB BLOGS THAT I HAVE FOUND WHERE OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE SEE HERE... HTTP://WIKI.ANSWERS.COM/Q/SHOULD_THE_2007_NISSAN_ALTIMA_REAR_SWAY_BAR_BE_RECALLED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Official recalls
308V521000 · 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
2PE11020 · 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.