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
2017 model year · 29,127 miles · Dec 26, 2018
Electrical System

SINCE THE START OF 2018 I HAVE HAD MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN IT MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS TO HELP SOLVE THIS ISSUE. EVERY TIME THEY CAME BACK AND SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NOTHING COULD DO FOR ME. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURE THEY ALSO SAID THE SAME THING THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING.…

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SINCE THE START OF 2018 I HAVE HAD MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN IT MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS TO HELP SOLVE THIS ISSUE. EVERY TIME THEY CAME BACK AND SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NOTHING COULD DO FOR ME. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURE THEY ALSO SAID THE SAME THING THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY THAT I STATED. THIS IS STILL UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING.

NHTSA ODI #11163464

2017 model year · 20 miles · Dec 26, 2018
Electrical System

THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW CLOSES VERY SLOWLY ALL THE TIME

NHTSA ODI #11163425

2009 model year · 151,000 miles · Dec 15, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering

TAKATA RECALL . NISSAN ALTIMA WHILE PARKED AT A GAS STATION, THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED. KEY FOB WAS STILL WORKING AND COULD OPEN AND LOCK THE CAR BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED THE KEY ALERT. I TRIED PUTTING THE KEY IN THE SLOT WHILE DOOR WAS OPEN, NOTHING HAPPENED. CAME TO FIND OUT IT' A DEFECTI…

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TAKATA RECALL . NISSAN ALTIMA WHILE PARKED AT A GAS STATION, THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED. KEY FOB WAS STILL WORKING AND COULD OPEN AND LOCK THE CAR BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED THE KEY ALERT. I TRIED PUTTING THE KEY IN THE SLOT WHILE DOOR WAS OPEN, NOTHING HAPPENED. CAME TO FIND OUT IT' A DEFECTIVE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCK. REPLACED IT BUT SCARED TO DRIVE IT AS IT IS STILL SHOWING THE KEY ALERT AND MIGHT LEAVE ME STRANDED LIKE IT DID THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES AN HOUR AWAY FROM HOME. A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PART THAT NISSAN IS NOT COVERING FOR ALL 09 ALTIMAS. THE PART IS DEFECTIVE AND NISSAN WANTS UP TO 1200$ TO REPLACE IT. EXPENSIVE COST FOR AN OLDER CAR AND FOR THE FACT THAT IT'S NISSAN'S FAULT FOR SELLING A CAR WITH A DEFECTIVE PART.

NHTSA ODI #11161770

2009 model year · Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering

STEERING LOCK MODULE KEEPS LOCK AND I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR

NHTSA ODI #11157253

2013 model year · Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW, FIRST OWNER IN SEPTEMBER 2013, 4 MONTHS LATER THE LEFT FOG LIGHT WENT OUT DID NOT THINK ANYTHING OF IT. TWO MONTHS LATER THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT WENT OUT. THOUGHT IT WAS WEIRD BUT DID NOT STRESS MYSELF ABOUT IT. A YEAR LATER THE RIGHT REAR LIGHT ONLY WORKS WHEN YOU TAP IT. NOW I AM DRIVING …

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AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW, FIRST OWNER IN SEPTEMBER 2013, 4 MONTHS LATER THE LEFT FOG LIGHT WENT OUT DID NOT THINK ANYTHING OF IT. TWO MONTHS LATER THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT WENT OUT. THOUGHT IT WAS WEIRD BUT DID NOT STRESS MYSELF ABOUT IT. A YEAR LATER THE RIGHT REAR LIGHT ONLY WORKS WHEN YOU TAP IT. NOW I AM DRIVING ALL THE LIGHTS ARE OUT FROM THE CAR. NO BRAKE LIGHTS NO PARK LIGHTS NO LIGHTS. TOOK MY VEHICLE TO TIRE KINGDOM TO CHANGE BULBS ONLY TO FIND OUT THE NEW BULBS ARE NOT WORKING EITHER AND THE VEHICLE HAS A N ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. NEVER DID UNDERSTAND WHY DRIVERS BEHIND ME WOULD HONK THEIR HORNS AT ME OR BE FLASHING ME WITH THEIR HIGH BEAM LIGHTS. NISSAN NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE AS WELL AS THEIR AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE ONLY GETS COOL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. YOU CANNOT HAVE THE A/C ON WHEN BEING STATIONARY THE A/C ONLY PRODUCES HEAT DURING THAT TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11157025

2009 model year · Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering

THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A DEFECTIVE "STEERING LOCK" WHICH CAUSES OWNERS TO BE UNABLE TO START THEIR VEHICLES. THIS DEFECT CAN AFFECT OWNERS OF THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT CAUSE. WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE IS TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE FAULTY …

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THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A DEFECTIVE "STEERING LOCK" WHICH CAUSES OWNERS TO BE UNABLE TO START THEIR VEHICLES. THIS DEFECT CAN AFFECT OWNERS OF THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT CAUSE. WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE IS TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE FAULTY STEERING LOCK REPLACED. THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED AT ALL. THUS, OWNERS OF THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA CONTINUOUSLY FIND THEMSELVES STUCK IN VERY INCONVENIANT CIRCUMSTANCES WITH NO ABILITY TO DRIVE THEIR CAR. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR DRIVERS WHO ARE IN REMOTE OR DANGEROUS AREAS. THIS SAME OCCURANCE HAPPEN TO FOLLOW ME THIS WEEK WHEN AT WORK. MY CAR WOULD NOT START AND AFTER SWAPPING REMOTE KEYS PLUS LOOKING AT ONLINE FORUMS, I REALIZED THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS YEAR/MAKE/MODEL. THE STREERING LOCK WAS SWAPPED IN 2010 BY NISSAN. HOPEFULLY THIS CAN HELP A LARGE GROUP BECAUSE I'M ABOUT TO SPEND MONEY ON REPARIING MY VEHICLE AND THIS COULD COST APPROX MORE THAN 500.00 IN PARTS ALONE. MY CAR IS STILL NOT STARTING AFTER 4 DAYS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN IT ON.

NHTSA ODI #11156693

2013 model year · 52,000 miles · Dec 5, 2018
Air BagsElectrical System

TAKATA RECALL. ONE RECALL PERFORMED, SECOND AIRBAG LIGHT SHOWS ON DASH SOON AFTER FIRST AIRBAG REPLACED. DIAGNOSTICS ON NOVEMBER 30 SHOWS ALL ELECTRONICS PROBLEMS WITH DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG. COST ESTIMATED MINIMUM FROM $651+ TAX TO $3427.92+ TAX. THIS FAILURE IS NOT DUE TO MISUSE. IT IS A RECALL PROBLEM. SEE ATTACHED DIAGNOSTI…

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TAKATA RECALL. ONE RECALL PERFORMED, SECOND AIRBAG LIGHT SHOWS ON DASH SOON AFTER FIRST AIRBAG REPLACED. DIAGNOSTICS ON NOVEMBER 30 SHOWS ALL ELECTRONICS PROBLEMS WITH DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG. COST ESTIMATED MINIMUM FROM $651+ TAX TO $3427.92+ TAX. THIS FAILURE IS NOT DUE TO MISUSE. IT IS A RECALL PROBLEM. SEE ATTACHED DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR ESTIMATE ATTACHED. REQUEST THIS BE REPLACED UNDER RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11156424

2018 model year · 8 miles · Nov 29, 2018
Electrical System

I PURCHASED A NEW 2018 NISSAN, THE FRONT END COLLISION SENSOR IS ALARMING AND HAS EVER SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY HAVE REFERRED ME TO NISSAN AND SAY THAT I SHOULD WAIT FOR THE RECALL. I THINK THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS MY CAR IS NOT SAFE WITH THE FRONT END COLLISION NOT WORKING PROPERL…

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I PURCHASED A NEW 2018 NISSAN, THE FRONT END COLLISION SENSOR IS ALARMING AND HAS EVER SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY HAVE REFERRED ME TO NISSAN AND SAY THAT I SHOULD WAIT FOR THE RECALL. I THINK THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS MY CAR IS NOT SAFE WITH THE FRONT END COLLISION NOT WORKING PROPERLY. PLEASE HELP ME FIX THIS PROBLEM. AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE SENSOR ALARMS AND SAYS IT IS NOT WORKING WHEN THERE IS NOTHING IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I HAD ONE DEALER TELL ME IT WAS PICKING UP THE SUN......PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI #11154867

2015 model year · 61,000 miles · Nov 3, 2018
Electrical System

VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. DASH PANEL DISPLAYED KEY NOT DETECTED. CAR WOULDN'T START. REPLACE BATTERY IN KEY FOB WITH A BRAND NEW ENERGIZER BATTERY. WORKED FINE TWO TIMES AND DID THE SAME THING. HAD CAR BATTERY CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS GOOD. CAR WOULDN'T START ON ME AGAIN IN AN UNLIT PARKING LOT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. HAVE R…

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VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. DASH PANEL DISPLAYED KEY NOT DETECTED. CAR WOULDN'T START. REPLACE BATTERY IN KEY FOB WITH A BRAND NEW ENERGIZER BATTERY. WORKED FINE TWO TIMES AND DID THE SAME THING. HAD CAR BATTERY CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS GOOD. CAR WOULDN'T START ON ME AGAIN IN AN UNLIT PARKING LOT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. HAVE READ ON BLOGS THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THIS CAR. WHY WON'T THEY FIX IT?

NHTSA ODI #11145146

2010 model year · 220,000 miles · Oct 29, 2018
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 20MPH TO 40MPH THE RPMS INCREASE TO 3RPM AND THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES TO CHANGE THE GEAR. IT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE). I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW IN 2010. IT HAS 220,000 MILES ON IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND SAW THIS US A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CAR. NISSAN ALSO S…

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WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 20MPH TO 40MPH THE RPMS INCREASE TO 3RPM AND THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES TO CHANGE THE GEAR. IT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE). I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW IN 2010. IT HAS 220,000 MILES ON IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND SAW THIS US A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CAR. NISSAN ALSO SENT OUT A BULLETIN NTB10-121B. THEY SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THE ISSUE AT THEIR COST. ATTACHED IS THE PDF OF THE BULLETIN.

NHTSA ODI #11143642

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.