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
2012 model year · 120,000 miles · Dec 4, 2020
Electrical System

SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WHERE IT LIMITS THE RPM AND SLOWS THE CAR DOWN A LOT ALMOST MADE A ACCIDENT HAPPEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL AND I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO NISSAN TO GET IT FIXED BUT THAT HE SEES THAT A LOT

NHTSA ODI #11377845

2013 model year · Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2020
Electrical System

A/C WAS BLOWING HOT AIR WHILE DRIVING AND HOT AIR WHEN I CAME TO STOPS AND IDLED. IT'S ONLY FOR SOME CARS THAT HAVE AUTO CLIMATE CONTROL APPARENTLY. THE ISSUE IS THE AC COMPRESSOR CONTROL VALVE FAILING. PLEASE SEE THE YOUTUBE LINK FOR A BETTER EXPLANATION OF THE ISSUE/RESOLUTION: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/IDWEDXJENKO

NHTSA ODI #11375426

2013 model year · Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2020
Electrical System

WHEN IN THE PARKED POSITION AND IDLE, THE PRESSING OF THE SHIFT TRIGGER ON THE SHIFTER WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO SHIFT FROM PARKED TO ANY OTHER POSITION (IT IS STUCK) DUE TO THE FAILURE OF A SELENOID SENSOR NOT ACTIVATING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER PRESSING THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE SHIFTING TO TAKE PLACE. PLEASE SEE THE L…

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WHEN IN THE PARKED POSITION AND IDLE, THE PRESSING OF THE SHIFT TRIGGER ON THE SHIFTER WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO SHIFT FROM PARKED TO ANY OTHER POSITION (IT IS STUCK) DUE TO THE FAILURE OF A SELENOID SENSOR NOT ACTIVATING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER PRESSING THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE SHIFTING TO TAKE PLACE. PLEASE SEE THE LINK OF THE YOUTUBE VIDEO TO EXPLAIN THE ISSUE/RESOLUTION: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=EU7VM2Y-7LY

NHTSA ODI #11375417

2012 model year · 76,979 miles · Nov 4, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY. I WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE INCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO THE PARKING LOT WHERE I RESTARTED THE CAR. THERE WAS OF A TANK OF GA…

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MY 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY. I WAS GOING ABOUT 15 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE INCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO THE PARKING LOT WHERE I RESTARTED THE CAR. THERE WAS OF A TANK OF GAS IN THE CAR AND ALL OF THE BATTERY CABLES WERE SECURE. I HAD THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED AND BOTH WERE FINE. THERE ARE 76,979 MILES ON THE CAR. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED, HOWEVER, AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE LOVED DRIVING THIS CAR FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS, BUT NOW I AM AFRAID THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN AND COULD CAUSE ME TO LOSE MY LIFE IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF YOUR OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATION AS TO HOW I SHOULD PROCEED.

NHTSA ODI #11373030

2016 model year · Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2020
Electrical SystemSeat BeltsSeats

CAR SEATS DONT WORK PROPERLY AND WONT ADJUST. BATTERY HAS TO BE REPLACED FREQUENTLY. CAR LIGHTS BLINKS ON AND OFF OWN ITS OWN. CAR WINT DETECT KEY. CAR WONT CRANK ST TIMES. CAR MAKES SOUND AS IF ITS SHUTDOWNING. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE HAS.

NHTSA ODI #11366546

2019 model year · 9,000 miles · Oct 19, 2020
Electrical SystemService BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH WITH THE INTELLIGENT PILOT FEATURE ENGAGED, A DEER ABRUPTLY DARTER IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE INTELLIGENT PILOT FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD TO SWERVE LEFT OF CENTER O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH WITH THE INTELLIGENT PILOT FEATURE ENGAGED, A DEER ABRUPTLY DARTER IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE INTELLIGENT PILOT FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD TO SWERVE LEFT OF CENTER ON AN OFF RAMP WHICH CAUSED HIM TO SLAM INTO THE BACK OF AN 18 WHEELER TRUCK. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED, THE PARKING SENSOR ERROR AND CHASSIS CONTROL SYSTEM ERROR WARNING MESSAGES HAD ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000.

NHTSA ODI #11365176

2014 model year · Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I OWN A 2014 NISSAN ALTIMA, OVER THE TIME OF OWNERSHIP I HAVE NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS GETTING DIMMER AND DIMMER, I ASSUMED IT WAS THE BULBS AGING AND REPLACED THIS ON 02/15/2020. THE NEW BULBS (SILVANIA SILVERSTARS) WERE SUPPOSED TO BE BRIGHTER. THERE WERE NOT MUCH BRIGHTER. LATER WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SUGGESTED NEW …

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I OWN A 2014 NISSAN ALTIMA, OVER THE TIME OF OWNERSHIP I HAVE NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS GETTING DIMMER AND DIMMER, I ASSUMED IT WAS THE BULBS AGING AND REPLACED THIS ON 02/15/2020. THE NEW BULBS (SILVANIA SILVERSTARS) WERE SUPPOSED TO BE BRIGHTER. THERE WERE NOT MUCH BRIGHTER. LATER WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SUGGESTED NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBALLIES AS THE CHROME PAINTING ON THE INSIDES OF THE LENSES HAS FADED AND AS A RESULT IS NOT REFLECTING MUCH LIGHT ONTO THE ROAD. THE ESTIMATED COST OF THIS REPAIR WAS 800$. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE FAILED IN THIS MATTER AND AS A STUDENT IT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS TO HAVE LOW BEAMS THAT ARE SO DIM THEY DO NOT EVEN APPEAR TO BE ON AT NIGHT. GOOGLING THIS ISSUES SHOWS MANY FORUMS WHERE PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE I WAS HAVING WITH NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES FIXING THE ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11364546

2018 model year · 61,000 miles · Oct 13, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

BASICALLY I WAS AT THE STORE CAME OUT TO GO HOME AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START THEN AFTER A WHILE IT STARTED UP BUT THEN WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE IT AGAIN IT WAS GIVING ME A HARD TIME TO START AND AFTER I WAITED A WHILE AND TRIED AGAIN IT STARTED UP BUT WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS OUT OF PARK AT ALL AND IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM I WEN…

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BASICALLY I WAS AT THE STORE CAME OUT TO GO HOME AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START THEN AFTER A WHILE IT STARTED UP BUT THEN WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE IT AGAIN IT WAS GIVING ME A HARD TIME TO START AND AFTER I WAITED A WHILE AND TRIED AGAIN IT STARTED UP BUT WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS OUT OF PARK AT ALL AND IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM I WENT TO NISSAN AND WHEN I GOT THERE THEY TOLD ME TO CHANGE THE KEY FOBS IN WHICH I DID AND IT STARTED UP WITH NO PROBLEM BUT AFTER A FEW WEEKS THE SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED THEN IT FEES LIKE THE VEHICLE STALLS TO DRIVE OFF WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS. AND WHEN IT WOULDN'T START IT KEPT SHOWING MY BRAKE PEDAL AND KEY FOB TOGETHER. I WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND ACTUALLY HAD TO END UP CALLING MY ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T START UP AND THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING COMING UP ON MY DASHBOARD OK TOP OF THAT I JUST HAD THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE CHECKED AT NISSAN AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG

NHTSA ODI #11364054

2018 model year · 65,000 miles · Oct 12, 2020
Electrical System

THE AIRBAG LIGHT OF THE VEHICLE COMES IN AND OFF. IT STARTED FROM A LONG DRIVE AND SINCE THEN THE LIGHT STAYS CONSTANTLY ON OR FLICKERS.

NHTSA ODI #11363888

2009 model year · Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

MY CVT TRANSMISSION BELT BROKE BUT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED MY SPEED SENSOR WAS FAILING AND ALSO MY STEP MOTOR I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS WITH VERY LITTLE PROBLEMS ALSO THE CAR IS STUCK IN NEUTRAL.

NHTSA ODI #11362623

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.