COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Nissan Altima electrical problems

1,770 distinct owner reports with an electrical-system component in this snapshot.

Includes the electrical-system component and its detailed subcategories. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

56 crash reports69 fire reports35 injury reports

Reports by model year

Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,194 reports with mileage · 576 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 owners actually said

1,770 reports
2009 model year · 44,000 miles · Oct 23, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

I WAS TRYING TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE SWITCH WHICH ALLOWS THE CAR TO KNOW YOU ARE PUSHING THE BRAKE DID NOT WORK (PUSH BUTTON IGNITION). I TRIED TO PUT MY KEY IN THE SLOT TO START THE CAR, BUT THE CAR DOES NOT START IF THE CAR DOES NOT SENSE THE BRAKE IS BEING PUSHED. THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD. GOOD THING I WAS NO…

Read full complaint

I WAS TRYING TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE SWITCH WHICH ALLOWS THE CAR TO KNOW YOU ARE PUSHING THE BRAKE DID NOT WORK (PUSH BUTTON IGNITION). I TRIED TO PUT MY KEY IN THE SLOT TO START THE CAR, BUT THE CAR DOES NOT START IF THE CAR DOES NOT SENSE THE BRAKE IS BEING PUSHED. THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD. GOOD THING I WAS NOT STRANDED SOMEWHERE. I CALLED NISSAN WITH NO HELP AT ALL. A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALED THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. THE PART NUMBER REPLACED IS INTERMOTOR SL2110. PLEASE RESPOND WITH YOUR INVESTIGATION ON THIS. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649521

2010 model year · 20,000 miles · Oct 20, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA - MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH PUSH BUTTON START FAILED TO START. ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL SEEMED FINE. I HAD JUST PREVIOUSLY NOTICED THE ABS, VDC AND SLIP WARNING LIT WHILE DRIVING. AFTER CHECKING FUSES, KEY FOB BATTERIES, ETC. I ATTEMPTED TO PUMP THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES AND IT FINALLY STARTED. DROVE IMMEDIATE…

Read full complaint

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA - MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH PUSH BUTTON START FAILED TO START. ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL SEEMED FINE. I HAD JUST PREVIOUSLY NOTICED THE ABS, VDC AND SLIP WARNING LIT WHILE DRIVING. AFTER CHECKING FUSES, KEY FOB BATTERIES, ETC. I ATTEMPTED TO PUMP THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES AND IT FINALLY STARTED. DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH AND HARNESS WHICH MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $550.00. HE SEEMED TO KNOW WITH OUT OF EVEN LOOKING WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. WHEN I QUESTIONED HIM ABOUT SUCH AN EXPENSIVE SWITCH, HE ONLY SAID "THIS HAPPENS A LOT WITH THIS MODEL." THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED AT NISSAN'S EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648866

2013 model year · 11,000 miles · Oct 20, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

VEHICLE HAS A SHUDDER WHEN DECELERATING FROM 65 TO 60. HAS PROGRESSIVELY BEEN HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. IN ADDITION TO THE SHUDDER AT HIGHER SPEEDS, IT NOW HAS STARTED TO SHUDDER AND LACK RESPONSE AT LOWER SPEEDS AT RANDOM. THE GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED AT LEAST 5 MPG SINCE ALL OF THESE ISSUES STARTED. I HAVE TAKEN TO NISSAN SERVI…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE HAS A SHUDDER WHEN DECELERATING FROM 65 TO 60. HAS PROGRESSIVELY BEEN HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. IN ADDITION TO THE SHUDDER AT HIGHER SPEEDS, IT NOW HAS STARTED TO SHUDDER AND LACK RESPONSE AT LOWER SPEEDS AT RANDOM. THE GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED AT LEAST 5 MPG SINCE ALL OF THESE ISSUES STARTED. I HAVE TAKEN TO NISSAN SERVICE TWICE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. BOTH TIMES THE PROBLEM "COULDN'T BE DUPLICATED" AND THERE ISN'T A CODE THAT SHOWS ANYTHING WRONG ON COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS. ALL SEARCHES FOR THESE ISSUES IN RELATION TO A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 SL, RETURN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS AND NO RESOLUTION. CURRENT MILEAGE IS15,000. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO KEEP ALL REPORTS FROM SERVICE SO IF THERE IS A PROBLEM LATER I HAVE DOCUMENTATION THAT IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE. IT APPEARS NISSAN SHOULD GET IN FRONT OF THIS PROBLEM QUICKLY AS IT IS NOT LEAVING A GOOD MARK ON THEIR NAME TO HAVE SUCH NEW VEHICLES WITH THIS DRASTIC OF A PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648827

2007 model year · 103,000 miles · Oct 15, 2014
Electrical System

I'VE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY WOULD FLICKER AT TIMES, EVEN SHUTTING OFF/GO BLANK. LAST MONTH, IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. SINCE THIS TIME, I'VE SEARCHED AND BROWSED THE INTERNET TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO IT. UPON MY SEARCH, I FOUND THAT MANY OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA CAR OWNERS SUFFER FROM MY SAME PLIGHT AND …

Read full complaint

I'VE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY WOULD FLICKER AT TIMES, EVEN SHUTTING OFF/GO BLANK. LAST MONTH, IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. SINCE THIS TIME, I'VE SEARCHED AND BROWSED THE INTERNET TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO IT. UPON MY SEARCH, I FOUND THAT MANY OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA CAR OWNERS SUFFER FROM MY SAME PLIGHT AND THAT THERE IS A "TBS" FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. MOVING FORWARD, I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AT MY NEAREST DEALERSHIP (GARDEN CITY). IT IS QUITE A SAFETY HAZARD AND GREAT INCONVENIENCE NOT TO BE ABLE TO KNOW THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION NEEDED TO MAINTAIN YOUR CAR AND KEEP IT PERFORMING AT IT'S OPTIMUM!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644723

2013 model year · 10,000 miles · Oct 13, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

FOR OVER A YEAR THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD AN ISSUE WHERE THE AIRBAGS WILL TURN THEMSELVES ON AND OFF . NO MATTER IF THERE IS A PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT . THE SEAT CAN BE EMPTY AND THE AIRBAGS WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT WILL RANDOMLY COME ON AND OFF . THE SAME IS TRUE WHEN THERE IS A PERSON IN THE SEAT . THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIR…

Read full complaint

FOR OVER A YEAR THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD AN ISSUE WHERE THE AIRBAGS WILL TURN THEMSELVES ON AND OFF . NO MATTER IF THERE IS A PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT . THE SEAT CAN BE EMPTY AND THE AIRBAGS WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT WILL RANDOMLY COME ON AND OFF . THE SAME IS TRUE WHEN THERE IS A PERSON IN THE SEAT . THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED NUMEROUS TIMES RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE , IT WAS FIXED FOR THE SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE . THE PROBLEM CONTINUES . NISSAN CORPORATE HAS REFUSED TO RE PURCHASE THIS OBVIOUS LEMON AND HAS SAID THEY WILL CONTINUE TO ATTEMPT TO FIX IT . SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM ... THEY NOW HAVE RESORTED TO BLAMING THE DEALERS . SEARCH VIMEO FOR 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA AIRBAG LIGHT AND YOU WILL SEE THE VIDEO OF THIS ISSUE . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644341

2013 model year · 28,000 miles · Oct 10, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS STATING THAT IT IS OFF, WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED AND THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS FIXED. THE RECALL DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE THE RECALL TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. I HAVE VIDEO …

Read full complaint

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS STATING THAT IT IS OFF, WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED AND THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS FIXED. THE RECALL DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE THE RECALL TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. I HAVE VIDEO EVIDENCE OF THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED. THE DEALERSHIP ([XXX]) STATES THAT NISSAN CAN NOT DO ANYTHING FURTHER. THE NISSAN 800 NUMBER STATED THE SAME. BOTH WANT TO PUSH THE ISSUE TO THE OTHER WITH NO ONE PROVIDING RESOLUTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643843

2009 model year · Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2014
Electrical System

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER SHORT VISIT TO CONVENIENCE STORE. PROBLEM BELIEVED TO BE "IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER" AS MANY OTHER COMPLAINANTS HAVE ALREADY ATTESTED TO. A CONTINUING SERIOUS PHYSICAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. NHTSA HAS DROPPED THE BALL ON THIS ONE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643638

2012 model year · 30,000 miles · Oct 7, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE NO KEY MESSAGE SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITH TWO DIFFERENT KEYS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. TH…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE NO KEY MESSAGE SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITH TWO DIFFERENT KEYS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10641968

2006 model year · 135,000 miles · Oct 4, 2014
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THE CAR STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. SINCE THIS TIME, THE CAR HAS DONE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT 25 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO PULL OVER THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND RESTART THE CAR. IT ALMOST CAUSE…

Read full complaint

THE CAR STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. SINCE THIS TIME, THE CAR HAS DONE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT 25 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO PULL OVER THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND RESTART THE CAR. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN WE TOOK THE CAR INTO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP, OUR 2006 ALTIMA WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641385

2014 model year · 400 miles · Oct 2, 2014
Electrical System

ENTERED VEHICLE FOB DID NOT RECOGNIZE SYSTEM AND LOCKED ME IN, COULDN'T GET OUT, PANICKED FOR A FEW SECONDS, HAD TO USE THE REMOTELESS KEY TO GET OUT. TOOK DEALERSHIP SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THEY TOWED MY CAR. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 12/10/14

NHTSA ODI #10640702

Related Official recalls

3

14V138000 · Air Bags:frontal; Electrical System:software

Mar 25, 2014

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Consequence: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Air Bags:frontal

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Consequence: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

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.

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

Related NHTSA investigations

0

No component-matched exact-year investigations in this snapshot.