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
2001 model year · 107,900 miles · Mar 16, 2005
Electrical System

VEHICLE LOST SPEED FROM 65 MPH TO 20 MPH , AND ALL THE GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD SHUT DOWN, BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. VEHICLE THEN WENT TO 0 AFTER ABOUT 20 SECS. ALL GAUGES WENT DEAD. BATTERY LIGHT BRAKE LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON. INTERMITTENTLY PRIOR TO THIS OTHER ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES WOULD BEGIN TO MALFUNCTION HEA…

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VEHICLE LOST SPEED FROM 65 MPH TO 20 MPH , AND ALL THE GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD SHUT DOWN, BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. VEHICLE THEN WENT TO 0 AFTER ABOUT 20 SECS. ALL GAUGES WENT DEAD. BATTERY LIGHT BRAKE LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON. INTERMITTENTLY PRIOR TO THIS OTHER ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES WOULD BEGIN TO MALFUNCTION HEAT/AIR BLOWERS, WIPERS, LIGHTS DIMMING, ETC. ALTERNATOR CHECKS GOOD, BATTERY REPLACED. RUNS FOR A COUPLE DAYS THEN DOES IT AGAIN. MALFUCTION IS NOT LIMITED TO HIGH SPEED TO LOW. HAS HAPPENED AT VARYING SPEEDS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10114157

2005 model year · 9,500 miles · Mar 15, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

AT ABOUT 9,500 MILES, FAULTY STARTER CAUSED THE CAR FAILED TO START AND STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED FROM AND THEY TESTED RIGHT THEN, THE CAR WON'T START BUT SPARKS WITH ALOT OF WHITE SMOKE FROM THE TAIL PIPE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW ON 7/4/04 WITH 50 MILES ON IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10114118

2002 model year · Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2005
Air BagsElectrical SystemEquipmentCrashInjury

THIS CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE DAY ONE, IN AND OUT OF DEALERSHIP FOR ONE REASON OR THE OTHER, IT STARTED WITH THE CAR RUNNING HARD, DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS BECAUSE I HAVE BROKE THE CAR IN AND NOW THIS IS HOW THEY RUN, TOOK IT BACK AGAIN 3 TO 4 MORE TIMES WITH SAME PROBLEM,TOLD THEM CAR IDLES HIGH, SHIFTS BAD, RUNS BAD, THEY S…

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THIS CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE DAY ONE, IN AND OUT OF DEALERSHIP FOR ONE REASON OR THE OTHER, IT STARTED WITH THE CAR RUNNING HARD, DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS BECAUSE I HAVE BROKE THE CAR IN AND NOW THIS IS HOW THEY RUN, TOOK IT BACK AGAIN 3 TO 4 MORE TIMES WITH SAME PROBLEM,TOLD THEM CAR IDLES HIGH, SHIFTS BAD, RUNS BAD, THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG, I DO ALOT OF HIGHWAY MILES AND AS SOON AS I WAS OVER THE MILES AND OUT OF THE WARRENTY THEY TOLD ME THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE GONE ONLY 800 TO GET FIXED, I WAS THEN HIT BY A CAR HEAD ON AND REALLY HURT I SUFFERED MAJOR BACK PROBLEMS , COME TO FIND OUT I PROBABY COULD HAVE PREVENTED SOME OF THE DAMAGE TO MY SELF IF I HAD A SAVER CAR, MY AIR BAGS DIDN;T DEPLOY. I HAVE HAD EVERY RECALL TO THIS CAR , THE SERVICE MEN AT THE DEALSERSHIPS ARE THE RUDEST MEN I HAVE EVER DELT WITH. I WAS RIGHT THE WHOLE TIME !!!!! I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING WITH THE LIGHTS COST AROUND 800 TO FOX KEPT CHANGING THE LIGHTS NOT TO MENTIONS THE TICKETS I RECIEVED FROM THE COPS , I EXPLAINED TO THEM THE LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT, THEY ARE LIKE THIS IS A 02 THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN, IF THEY ONLY KNEW!!! I AM REALLY TIRED OF THIS CAR , NOW I WAS JUST TOLD THAT THE CAR HAS ANOTHER PROBLEM, IT OVER HEATS THEY THINK IT MIGHT BE THE THEROSTAT BUT THEY DON'T KNOW. HOW MUCH MONEY WILL THAT COST ME??? I AM ONE ANGRY PERSON WHEN IT COMES TO THIS CAR!!!!!!!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10114106

2003 model year · Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2005
Electrical SystemFire

THE RECALL CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING OTHER REPAIRS MADE. FIFTEEN MONTHS LATER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE FIRE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. *NM *JB

NHTSA ODI #10115601

1998 model year · 120,000 miles · Feb 9, 2005
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineFire

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND NOTHING WAS DONE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10111261

2005 model year · 200 miles · Jan 11, 2005
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED MY CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS. MY "SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT" ALSO WENT ON. THE CAR STALLED, AND HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THIS HAPPENED ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR IS …

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED MY CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS. MY "SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT" ALSO WENT ON. THE CAR STALLED, AND HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THIS HAPPENED ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR IS A 2005 ALTIMA 2.5SL. AS I'M WRITING THIS MY CAR IS BACK AT THE DEALER....AGAIN TOWED IN!!!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10106141

2002 model year · 60,000 miles · Dec 6, 2004
Electrical System

INTERMITTENTLY IGNITION WILL NOT START. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10103155

2005 model year · 5,512 miles · Oct 18, 2004
Electrical System

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ONCE THE KEY WAS TURNED. AFTER TRYING ABOUT 15-20 TIMES, IT WILL START AND DARK SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL CODES WERE NORMAL AND SUGGESTED THE BATTERY BE REPLACED, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT REPLACE IT AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10097034

1997 model year · Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2004
Electrical SystemExterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILURE- BOTH SIDES- FIRST LEFT THEN RIGHT- REPLACED WENT OUT AGAIN SOON AFTER. LIGHTS ON HEATER GAUGES FAILED. CIGARETTE LIGHTER "FEMALE PART" PULLS OUT OF DASH WHEN YOU TAKE THE LIGHTER OUT. PASSENGER DOOR PANEL CAME OFF-KEEPS THE DOORS FROM UNLOCKING- TRIED TO FIX IT AND ENDED UP BEING LOCKED IN MY CAR IN TH…

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REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILURE- BOTH SIDES- FIRST LEFT THEN RIGHT- REPLACED WENT OUT AGAIN SOON AFTER. LIGHTS ON HEATER GAUGES FAILED. CIGARETTE LIGHTER "FEMALE PART" PULLS OUT OF DASH WHEN YOU TAKE THE LIGHTER OUT. PASSENGER DOOR PANEL CAME OFF-KEEPS THE DOORS FROM UNLOCKING- TRIED TO FIX IT AND ENDED UP BEING LOCKED IN MY CAR IN THE RAIN FOR AN HOUR. BACK PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS JAMMED. ALSO ODOMETER IS JAMMED-HAS NEVER BEEN TAMPERED WITH. WAS BRINGING MY HUSBAND TO WORK AND I KNOW THAT IT IS A 10 MILE DRIVE-NONE OF THE NUMBERS ROLLED OVER. WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10095666

2000 model year · 52,000 miles · Oct 12, 2004
Electrical System

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL/GAUGES WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10096632

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.