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
2002 model year · 25,000 miles · Aug 15, 2003
Electrical System

NO START - CAR TOWED FOR THIRD TIME - DEC. 30, 2002 ; FEB. 19, 2003 AND JUNE 9, 2003 - EACH TIME GIVEN A DIFFERENT REASON--RENTED CAR2 TIMES-REIMBURSED ONCE. ON 12/30-TOLD PROBLEM DUE TO COLD DAMP WEATHER;2/19 CHARGED $113. BY LEGEND NISSAN--SAID NO START MY FAULT BECAUSE I MOVED CAR FOR PLOW AND DID NOT RUN LONG ENOUGH BEFORE T…

Read full complaint

NO START - CAR TOWED FOR THIRD TIME - DEC. 30, 2002 ; FEB. 19, 2003 AND JUNE 9, 2003 - EACH TIME GIVEN A DIFFERENT REASON--RENTED CAR2 TIMES-REIMBURSED ONCE. ON 12/30-TOLD PROBLEM DUE TO COLD DAMP WEATHER;2/19 CHARGED $113. BY LEGEND NISSAN--SAID NO START MY FAULT BECAUSE I MOVED CAR FOR PLOW AND DID NOT RUN LONG ENOUGH BEFORE TURNING OFF; 6/9-RETURNED FROM 4 DAY VACATION-AGAIN NO START. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10032868

2001 model year · 44,500 miles · Aug 14, 2003
Electrical System

BATTERY EXPLODED WHEN KEY TURNED TO "ON" POSITION. CAR WAS IN GARAGE. IT WAS INITIAL CRANKING OF ENGINE THAT DAY. A LOUD "BOOM" WAS HEARD. UPON INVESTIGATION DISCOVERED TOP OF BATTERY IN THREE PIECES AND A SPLIT IN CASE NEXT TO NEG TERMINAL. ACID ON UNDERSIDE OF HOOD AND SURROUNDING AREA OF BATTERY. POOL OF ACID COLLECTED …

Read full complaint

BATTERY EXPLODED WHEN KEY TURNED TO "ON" POSITION. CAR WAS IN GARAGE. IT WAS INITIAL CRANKING OF ENGINE THAT DAY. A LOUD "BOOM" WAS HEARD. UPON INVESTIGATION DISCOVERED TOP OF BATTERY IN THREE PIECES AND A SPLIT IN CASE NEXT TO NEG TERMINAL. ACID ON UNDERSIDE OF HOOD AND SURROUNDING AREA OF BATTERY. POOL OF ACID COLLECTED ON GARAGE FLOOR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10032835

2002 model year · 34,500 miles · Aug 12, 2003
Electrical System

ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, 08/07/03 BEING THE LATEST, MY CAR HAS STALLED, OR SHOWN POOR ACCELLERATION WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING OVER 65 MPH, SOON AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND PUTTING IT INTO DRIVE, AND A SMALL TIME PERIOD AFTER DRIVING IT. ON ONE OCCASION I EXITED OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A BUSY TWO-WAY TRAFFIC …

Read full complaint

ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, 08/07/03 BEING THE LATEST, MY CAR HAS STALLED, OR SHOWN POOR ACCELLERATION WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING OVER 65 MPH, SOON AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND PUTTING IT INTO DRIVE, AND A SMALL TIME PERIOD AFTER DRIVING IT. ON ONE OCCASION I EXITED OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A BUSY TWO-WAY TRAFFIC ROAD, TO CROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE AND IT STALLED WHILE THERE WAS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS VERY RELUCTANT THAT THE TRAFFIC SPEED WASN'T HIGH, FOR THEY MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE TIME TO SLOW DOWN. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES TO MY DEALER, AND OTHER CAR MAINTENANCE SHOPS, AND THEY SAY THAT THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, AND IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THEY MUST DUPLICATE IT. BUT THE PROBLEM THAT COMES FROM THAT IS, IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ON A RECURRING BASIS. IT CAN HAPPEN HOURS APART TO 2 MONTHS APART. IT GIVES NO WARNING, AND IT GOES BACK TO RUNNING NORMAL AS IF NOTHING HAS EVER HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AFTER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10032684

2003 model year · 33,000 miles · Aug 11, 2003
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 SE. THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAS NOW FAILED TWICE, THE SECOND TIME THE CAR JUST DIED WHILE DRIVING! FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A BIG-RIG FOLLOWING ME, OR MOST LIKELY I WOULD NOT BE ALIVE TODAY. THE CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP WITH THE PART ON BACK ORDER, WHICH TELLS ME THAT THEY …

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 SE. THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAS NOW FAILED TWICE, THE SECOND TIME THE CAR JUST DIED WHILE DRIVING! FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A BIG-RIG FOLLOWING ME, OR MOST LIKELY I WOULD NOT BE ALIVE TODAY. THE CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP WITH THE PART ON BACK ORDER, WHICH TELLS ME THAT THEY (NISSAN) ARE HAVING LOTS OF FAILURES WITH THIS PART. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AND FELL THAT A RECALL ON THIS ITEM SHOULD AT LEAST BE INVESTIGATED. THANKS, RONALD J. COLFER. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10032547

2002 model year · Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2003
Electrical System

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTIFICATION 03 V 084 000. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10032488

2000 model year · 49,464 miles · Jul 17, 2003
Electrical System

2000 NISSAN ALTIMA - ALTERNATOR 'OVERCHARGED' THE BATTERY, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO EXPLODE. LUCKILY THE HOOD WAS DOWN AND THE ENGINE WAS COLD, OTHERWISE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH AND/OR A CAR FIRE, DUE TO THE ACID CONTENT OF THE BATTERY.NO 'WARNING' WAS GIVEN OF THE ALTERNATOR OVERCHARGING. THIS SHOULD BE T…

Read full complaint

2000 NISSAN ALTIMA - ALTERNATOR 'OVERCHARGED' THE BATTERY, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO EXPLODE. LUCKILY THE HOOD WAS DOWN AND THE ENGINE WAS COLD, OTHERWISE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH AND/OR A CAR FIRE, DUE TO THE ACID CONTENT OF THE BATTERY.NO 'WARNING' WAS GIVEN OF THE ALTERNATOR OVERCHARGING. THIS SHOULD BE THE CASE, AS IT IS WITH THE WARNING OF THE ALTERNATOR UNDERCHARGING THE BATTERY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10028490

2002 model year · 10,220 miles · Jun 25, 2003
Electrical System

MY 2002 4 CYLINDER NISSAN ALTIMA HAS SUFFERED TWO COMPLETE STARTER MOTOR FAILURES. ONCE AT APPROX. 2000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 10,000 MILES VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON BOTH OCCASIONS. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023778

1995 model year · 9,100 miles · Jun 17, 2003
Electrical System

THERE IS A MAJOR SHORTAGE IN MY CAR. THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK RIGHT AND WHEN YOU BRAKE ONLY ONE SIDE WORKS, THIS HAD INTERFERED WITH THE INTERNAL LIGHTING. SOMETHING IS ALWAYS WRONG UNDER THE HOOD. YOU SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR THEM TO FINALLY FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER THEY HAVE REPLACED THINGS THAT DIDN'T NEED TO BE FIXE…

Read full complaint

THERE IS A MAJOR SHORTAGE IN MY CAR. THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK RIGHT AND WHEN YOU BRAKE ONLY ONE SIDE WORKS, THIS HAD INTERFERED WITH THE INTERNAL LIGHTING. SOMETHING IS ALWAYS WRONG UNDER THE HOOD. YOU SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR THEM TO FINALLY FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER THEY HAVE REPLACED THINGS THAT DIDN'T NEED TO BE FIXED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10023238

2002 model year · 10,000 miles · May 27, 2003
Electrical System

CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO HAD NO SOLUTION. THEY USED A COLD START AND TOLD ME NOT TO LET THE GAS GO BELOW 1/4 TANK AND NOT TO PARK ON AN INCLINE. TWO INCIDENTS HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER 2002. IN APRIL 2003, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN AFTER SITTING ONE DAY AND NIGHT. I T…

Read full complaint

CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO HAD NO SOLUTION. THEY USED A COLD START AND TOLD ME NOT TO LET THE GAS GO BELOW 1/4 TANK AND NOT TO PARK ON AN INCLINE. TWO INCIDENTS HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER 2002. IN APRIL 2003, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN AFTER SITTING ONE DAY AND NIGHT. I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER NISSAN DEALER WHO GAVE ME THE SAME ANSWER. ANYONE WITH A SIMILIAR PROBLEM? *TT

NHTSA ODI #10020567

2001 model year · Mileage unknown · May 12, 2003
Electrical System

THE POWER DOORS AND LOCKS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10019680

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.