MY CAR WOULD LOSE POWER AND TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. *NM
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
YearTopic reportsRecallsInvestigations
20251
2020243
10202310
0020227
01202121
22202045
62201958
72201837
24201727
33201642
43201555
103201471
852013159
125201244
41201131
10201074
302009466
40200890
41200737
32200672
30200597
10200432
10200389
41200277
51200119
10200025
1019994
00199815
00199714
10199611
00199516
32199414
2219937
11Recall 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
2280–25K
20425–50K
27250–75K
21375–100K
216100–150K
61150K+
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 reportsTHE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER TENDS TO NOT OPERATE PERIODICALLY! EXAMPLES: ON A COLD MORNING, THE CAR HAD TO BE RETURNED HOME SINCE THERE WAS NO BLOWER. ON A DAMP DAY, THE INTERIOR WINDOWS COULD NOT BE DEFOGGED DUE TO NO BLOWER. ON A DAMP MORNING, THE FROST ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE WINDSHIELD COULD NOT BE CLE…
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THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER TENDS TO NOT OPERATE PERIODICALLY! EXAMPLES: ON A COLD MORNING, THE CAR HAD TO BE RETURNED HOME SINCE THERE WAS NO BLOWER. ON A DAMP DAY, THE INTERIOR WINDOWS COULD NOT BE DEFOGGED DUE TO NO BLOWER. ON A DAMP MORNING, THE FROST ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE WINDSHIELD COULD NOT BE CLEARED BY THE DEFROST SETTING SINCE THE BLOWER FAILED TO OPERATE. WE WONDER HOW SAFE THIS VEHICLE WOULD BE DURING A PERIOD OF FREEZING RAIN! OR DURING A SNOWFALL? PLEASE ADVISE ON WHAT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO REMEDY THIS SERIOUS DEFECT. [XXX] *JB UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
PURCHASED NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 IN SEPT.05, FROM DAY 1 I HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT STARTING. AFTER SERVICE HAD THE CAR FOR 2 MONTHS I INVOKED THE LEMON LAW AND RECEIVED ANOTHER NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO THEY SAID THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY 2 NEW ALTIMA 2006 THEY'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH. THEN…
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PURCHASED NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 IN SEPT.05, FROM DAY 1 I HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT STARTING. AFTER SERVICE HAD THE CAR FOR 2 MONTHS I INVOKED THE LEMON LAW AND RECEIVED ANOTHER NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO THEY SAID THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY 2 NEW ALTIMA 2006 THEY'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH. THEN I FOUND OUT THESE ARE THE ONLY 2 WITH FACTORY NAVIGATION SYSTEM. *JB
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR OR AT IDLE SPEED, IT WOULD STALL AT ANY GIVEN TIME, HOT OR COLD. I WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR AND HAVE FOUND THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS, CAR HAS BEEN STALLING AND REFUSING TO START UP. ONCE, IT HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND LUCKILY THE TRAFFIC WAS NOT HEAVY, SO COULD MANAGE TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER. MANAGED TO RESTART THE CAR AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF TRYING. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON, AND THERE IS HARDLY ANY POWER WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCE…
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FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS, CAR HAS BEEN STALLING AND REFUSING TO START UP. ONCE, IT HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND LUCKILY THE TRAFFIC WAS NOT HEAVY, SO COULD MANAGE TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER. MANAGED TO RESTART THE CAR AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF TRYING. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON, AND THERE IS HARDLY ANY POWER WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, AND HE TOLD ME THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SYMPTOM, BUT WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER, MY VIN # DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL. THAT IS SO STRANGE. I HOPE NISSAN REALIZES THAT THERE ARE OTHER ALTIMA'S FROM 2003 THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
KEY STUCK IN IGNITION SWITCH. *AK
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED ON THE MANIFOLD, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AGO AND OIL HAS BEEN ADDED 8 TIMES. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #03V084000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.*AK
OUR ENGINE SEIZED UP WHILE WE WERE DRIVING, OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AS THE CAR DIED BUT NOT BEFORE THE CAR DIED, WHILE WE WERE OUT OF TOWN COMING HOME FROM A BUSINESS TRIP. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE DRAIN PLUG WAS MISSING. THE OIL LIGHT IS SUPPOSED TO COME ON NO MATTER WHAT WHEN IT GETS LOW ON O…
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OUR ENGINE SEIZED UP WHILE WE WERE DRIVING, OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AS THE CAR DIED BUT NOT BEFORE THE CAR DIED, WHILE WE WERE OUT OF TOWN COMING HOME FROM A BUSINESS TRIP. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE DRAIN PLUG WAS MISSING. THE OIL LIGHT IS SUPPOSED TO COME ON NO MATTER WHAT WHEN IT GETS LOW ON OIL, THAT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHICH IS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY THAT THEY PRESSURED US INTO BUYING FOR $1500. NOW THEY ARE NOT HONORING ANY SERVICE AGREEMENTS THEY MADE. THEY ARE IN BREACH OF CONTRACT. WE HAVE BEEN PAYING FOR HOTELS, CAR RENTALS, FOOD, GAS, HITCHHIKING, EVERYTHING..... WE NEED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR EVERYTHING AND HAVE NISSAN TAKE OVER PAYMENTS FOR OUR CAR RENTAL, LOSS OF WORK, RETURNING CAR, AND GETTING A NEW ONE. WE HAVE SPENT FIVE DAYS NOW SCREWING WITH EVERYONE EXCEPT SOMEONE THAT WILL HELP. I HAVE LITERALLY TALKED TO 90 PEOPLE OR MORE SINCE OUR CAR BROKE DOWN. WE WANT HELP RIGHT NOW, OR WE WILL SUE TROPHY NISSAN IMMEDIATELY. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED WHILE DRIVING. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PROCEED. NO WARNING INDICATORS WERE PRESENT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED WHILE DRIVING. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PROCEED. NO WARNING INDICATORS WERE PRESENT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER AND THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ALTERNATOR SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 02/26/06. *JB
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.