CAR WOULD NOT START DUE TO FAILURE OF THE STEERING LOCK DEVICE. *TR
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.
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 reportsWHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO KICK OR JERK, AND EVENTUALLY THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. *TR
THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A "SMART" KEY-LOCKING SYSTEM AS WELL AS A "SMART" IGNITION SYSTEM. THE KEY FOR THE CAR IS A WIRELESS FOB THAT WHEN AROUND THE VEHICLE WILL ALLOW THE CAR TO BE UNLOCKED AND STARTED. THE KEY WILL ALLOW THE CAR TO START, WHEN THE KEY IS DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ISSUE THAT AROSE WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCT…
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THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A "SMART" KEY-LOCKING SYSTEM AS WELL AS A "SMART" IGNITION SYSTEM. THE KEY FOR THE CAR IS A WIRELESS FOB THAT WHEN AROUND THE VEHICLE WILL ALLOW THE CAR TO BE UNLOCKED AND STARTED. THE KEY WILL ALLOW THE CAR TO START, WHEN THE KEY IS DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ISSUE THAT AROSE WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONING PART, THE PART WAS AN: ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK. THE PART FAILED DURING A SPELL OF COLD DAYS THAT AFFECTED MY STATE. DURING THE FIRST FEW DAYS BEFORE THE PART ULTIMATELY MALFUNCTIONED THE CAR BEGAN SHOWING ERROR LIGHTS FOR MANY SYSTEMS. THE CAR INDICATED THAT DOORS WERE OPEN, THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WERE APPLIED (WHEN THEY CLEARLY WERE NOT), THE INTERIOR LIGHTS IN THE CAR WOULD RANDOMLY COME ON WHEN DRIVING (AS IF DOORS WERE OPENING) AND FINALLY THE INDICATED THAT THE SMART KEY SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE CAR ULTIMATELY FAILED ON A COLD NIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE CAR, BUT THAT WAS IT. THE CAR DID NOT RECOGNIZE MY KEY AND THE CAR WAS RENDERED USELESS. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR ON, OR EVEN SWITCH IT TO ANY STANDBY MODE. BECAUSE THE CAR DOESN'T HAVE A TRADITIONAL KEY YOU ARE UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND PUSH IT IN NEUTRAL. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, AND DEPENDING ON HOW THE TIRES WERE LOCKED INITIALLY DETERMINES THE ONLY DIRECTION THAT THE CAR WILL MOVE. WHEN I CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THE ISSUE I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE ISSUED A "WARRANTY EXTENSION" ON THAT SPECIFIC PART ONLY. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THEY KNOW A PROBLEM EXISTS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT I WAS ALSO TOLD BY NISSAN THAT THE PART IS ON BACKORDER AND ON RESTRICTED RELEASE. THEY HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT THEY CANNOT KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND. THIS ISSUE IS VERY REAL AND DANGEROUS. PEOPLE WILL BE LEFT STRANDED IN THEIR CAR. UNLESS THE PART FAILS THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THE PART WILL GO WRONG. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE CAUSED ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE DEALER WHERE THE TPMS WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE CAUSED ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE DEALER WHERE THE TPMS WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 07V599000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
ATTEMPTED TO START CAR, AND RECEIVED "STEERING WHEEL LOCK" LIGHT - DESPITE TRYING WITH BOTH FOBS (IT WAS NOT A FAULTY FOB). AFTER HALF HOUR OF TRYING, STILL CAN NOT TURN CAR ON DUE TO LOCKED STEERING WHEEL. ENGINE WON'T TURN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL NOT TURN ON, AND CAR IS STUCK. HAVE YET TO CONTACT DEALER. *TR
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG STATUS LIGHT (PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF), ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY WITH A FULL SIZED ADULT SITTING IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. NISSAN CLAIMS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ID# PC214, DATED APRIL 2, 2013. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP IS LOCATED ABOVE T…
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THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG STATUS LIGHT (PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF), ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY WITH A FULL SIZED ADULT SITTING IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. NISSAN CLAIMS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ID# PC214, DATED APRIL 2, 2013. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP IS LOCATED ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CENTER STACK. THIS INTERMITTENT CONDITION HAS OCCURRED TWICE THROUGH THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2013. THE WARNING INDICATOR WILL TURN OFF AND OPERATE CORRECTLY AFTER I TURN OFF MY RUNNING ENGINE AND RESTART. *TR
DROVE MY CAR EARLY THIS AM WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I RETURNED ABOUT 3 HOURS LATER IT WOULD NOT START. THE BRAKE WAS VERY HARD. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WORKS, HORN, AND HEADLIGHTS. HOWEVER ONLY THE KEY FOB INDICATOR AND PUSH BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS IN DASH. DEALER SAID IT WAS A BAD FOB. I HAD IT TOWED TO NISSAN AND THE FOB WAS NOT BAD. …
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DROVE MY CAR EARLY THIS AM WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I RETURNED ABOUT 3 HOURS LATER IT WOULD NOT START. THE BRAKE WAS VERY HARD. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WORKS, HORN, AND HEADLIGHTS. HOWEVER ONLY THE KEY FOB INDICATOR AND PUSH BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS IN DASH. DEALER SAID IT WAS A BAD FOB. I HAD IT TOWED TO NISSAN AND THE FOB WAS NOT BAD. NOW THEY SAY IT'S THE MAIN COMPUTER. THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO ANY MORE RESEARCH UNTIL MONDAY. I AM SEEING A LOT OF THIS SAME PROBLEM IN HERE. I AM VERY NERVOUS. *TR
GOT HOME TURNED MY CAR OFF WENT INSIDE TO GET GIFT CARDS CAME BACK OUTSIDE TRYING TO START MY CAR, BUT IT WOULDN'T START, ALL I SAW WAS A YELLOW KEY LIGHT. LIGHTS WORKED FINE I TRIED MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL AND PUTTING IN NEUTRAL AND TRYING TO START BUT NOTHING. *TR
WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR THIS MORNING, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED UP AND BREAKS WERE HARD TO PUSH. AFTER TRYING A FEW TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT THE AUTO-THEFT MUST BE ON. I TRIED TO PUT THE FOB IN THE MANUAL IGNITION, BUT THE FOB GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, THE FOB FINALLY CAME OUT…
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WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR THIS MORNING, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED UP AND BREAKS WERE HARD TO PUSH. AFTER TRYING A FEW TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT THE AUTO-THEFT MUST BE ON. I TRIED TO PUT THE FOB IN THE MANUAL IGNITION, BUT THE FOB GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, THE FOB FINALLY CAME OUT. THE CAR STILL DOES NOT START AND THE AUTO-THEFT IS STILL ON. THE BATTERY IS NOT BAD BECAUSE THE CAR BEEPS WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN AND THE LIGHTS WORK. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO TOW THE VEHICLE IN TO GET IT REPAIRED. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR
THE SWITCH THAT ALLOWS THE CAR TO START AND LIGHTS THE BRAKE LIGHTS IS STICKING, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF. THE CAR NOT STARTING IS ANNOYING, IF THE SWITCH STICKS AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL FAIL TO ILLUMINATE, THAT IS DANGEROUS. THE CAR FAILS TO START WITH REGULARITY, IF THE SWITCH…
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THE SWITCH THAT ALLOWS THE CAR TO START AND LIGHTS THE BRAKE LIGHTS IS STICKING, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF. THE CAR NOT STARTING IS ANNOYING, IF THE SWITCH STICKS AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL FAIL TO ILLUMINATE, THAT IS DANGEROUS. THE CAR FAILS TO START WITH REGULARITY, IF THE SWITCH IS MANIPULATED IT STARTS, I DO NOT KNOW IF THE BREAK LIGHTS ARE FAILING BUT I ASSUME THIS IS OCCURRING. THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THESE SWITCHES. *TR
Related Official recalls
314V138000 · 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
0No component-matched exact-year investigations in this snapshot.