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
1994 model year · 192,000 miles · Jun 4, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND WAS RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPEND…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND WAS RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE DISTRIBUTOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, AND THEN LATER TOWED BACK TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 192,000.

NHTSA ODI #11099838

2002 model year · 35 miles · Jun 4, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Structure

THE CAR KEEPS STALLING WHILE I DRIVE IT

NHTSA ODI #11099883

2005 model year · 148,990 miles · Jun 2, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN. I RELY ON MY CAR DAILY TO GET TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. THE CAR STALLS IN PARK ALL LIGHTS START BLINKING THEN DIES. HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AS WELL THE CAR WILL MOVE BUT YOU CANT ACCELERATE ON THE PEDAL THIS HAPPENED IN A TRAFFIC CIRCLE MY FIANCE AND TWO FRIENDS WERE WITH ME AT THE TIME. THIS IS VERY DANGE…

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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN. I RELY ON MY CAR DAILY TO GET TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. THE CAR STALLS IN PARK ALL LIGHTS START BLINKING THEN DIES. HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AS WELL THE CAR WILL MOVE BUT YOU CANT ACCELERATE ON THE PEDAL THIS HAPPENED IN A TRAFFIC CIRCLE MY FIANCE AND TWO FRIENDS WERE WITH ME AT THE TIME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS I COULD GET INTO A BAD ACCIDENT AND DIE OR EVEN KILL MY PASSENGERS. I HAVE HAD A MECHANIC RESET MY ECM BUT THIS KEEPS HAPPENING I HAVE TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON MY OWN AND HAVE HAD NO LUCK. I OWN A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE V6 FOUR DOOR SEDAN AND I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE I WAS HOPING MY EXPERIENCE WOULD BE AWESOME IVE ALWAYS LIKED THE CARS NOW HONESTLY IM SCARED TO DRIVE IN IT AND WONT RECCOMEND ANYONE GETTING ONE. I HAVENT HAD ANY ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING. ME HAVING THIS CAR IS REQUIRED MEDICALLY. ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONE DAY STAYED ON FOR A MONTH THEN JUST SHUT OFF SO NOW I HAVE NO CLUE WHATS GOING ON WITH MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11099276

2013 model year · Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2018
Electrical System

MY 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SV , THE GEAR SHIFTER WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK , THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NISSAN REFUSES TO TAKE CARE OF IT. THEY OFFERED A 60/40 SPLIT BUT THIS CLEARLY BEING A SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD BE ISSUED AS A RECALL OR TAKEN CARE OF 100% BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS IS NOT SAFE IF YOU CAN'T GET YOU CARE OUT OF PARK, …

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MY 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SV , THE GEAR SHIFTER WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK , THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NISSAN REFUSES TO TAKE CARE OF IT. THEY OFFERED A 60/40 SPLIT BUT THIS CLEARLY BEING A SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD BE ISSUED AS A RECALL OR TAKEN CARE OF 100% BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS IS NOT SAFE IF YOU CAN'T GET YOU CARE OUT OF PARK, NISSAN KNOWS OF THE ISSUE BUT CONTINUES TO IGNORING THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11099206

2013 model year · 6 miles · May 20, 2018
Electrical System

INSTRUMENTAL GAUGES FLICKERS AND SOMETIMES STAYING OFF FOR A SECOND OR TWO CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK WITH POWER LOSE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. RADIO WILL ALSO LUNIMATE AND DIE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. CURRENT VEHICLE HAS AROUND 50K AND I HAVE REPLACE BATTERY, +\-BATTERY TERMINAL AND ALTERNATOR TO SEE IF THIS CORRECT THE PROBLEM…

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INSTRUMENTAL GAUGES FLICKERS AND SOMETIMES STAYING OFF FOR A SECOND OR TWO CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK WITH POWER LOSE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. RADIO WILL ALSO LUNIMATE AND DIE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. CURRENT VEHICLE HAS AROUND 50K AND I HAVE REPLACE BATTERY, +\-BATTERY TERMINAL AND ALTERNATOR TO SEE IF THIS CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BUT THIS STILL HAPPENS!!! ALSO ALL THE INSTRUMENTAL GAUGE WILL RESET ITS SELF WHEN THIS HAPPENS!!!

NHTSA ODI #11096891

2014 model year · 80,000 miles · May 18, 2018
Electrical SystemService BrakesUnknown Or Other

THE DOUBLE SAFETY FEATURE OF PRESSING THE BREAK TO START THE CAR BECOMES VOID WHEN THE CALIPER HAS AN ISSUE EVEN WITHOUT THE BRAKE LIGHT ENGAGING TO SHOW AN ISSUE. THE CAR IS TRICKED INTO THINKING THAT THE BREAK IS BEING PRESSED AND WILL ALLOW YOU TO START IT WITH JUST PRESSING THE START BUTTON. MY 8YR OLD WAS IN THE CAR PLAYIN…

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THE DOUBLE SAFETY FEATURE OF PRESSING THE BREAK TO START THE CAR BECOMES VOID WHEN THE CALIPER HAS AN ISSUE EVEN WITHOUT THE BRAKE LIGHT ENGAGING TO SHOW AN ISSUE. THE CAR IS TRICKED INTO THINKING THAT THE BREAK IS BEING PRESSED AND WILL ALLOW YOU TO START IT WITH JUST PRESSING THE START BUTTON. MY 8YR OLD WAS IN THE CAR PLAYING WHILE I WAS CLEANING IT AND WAS ALSO ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR DUE TO THE MECHANICAL SYSTEM READING THAT THE BREAK WAS ENGAGED. THE CAR ALSO CONTINUES TO RUN AFTER THE KEY IS REMOVED AND YOU CAN DRIVE OFF WITH NO KEY IN THE CAR. I

NHTSA ODI #11096795

2007 model year · 73,000 miles · May 17, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S ALARM SYSTEM WENT OFF CONSTANTLY WITHOUT WARNING AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY OR NIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FOUR DIFFERENT DEALERS, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. TWO OF THE DEALERS WERE LOCATED IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE OTHER TWO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S ALARM SYSTEM WENT OFF CONSTANTLY WITHOUT WARNING AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY OR NIGHT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FOUR DIFFERENT DEALERS, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. TWO OF THE DEALERS WERE LOCATED IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE OTHER TWO WERE IN CANADA. DICK SMITH NISSAN OF ST ANDREWS (3670 FERNANDINA ROAD, COLUMBIA, SC 29210) WAS ONE OF THE DEALERS THAT WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA ODI #11096573

2013 model year · 120,000 miles · May 9, 2018
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND. AFTERWARDS, THE INTERIOR HANDLES ON ALL FOUR DOORS WERE UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND NOTICED A LOT OF CORROSION ON THE BATTERY TERMI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND. AFTERWARDS, THE INTERIOR HANDLES ON ALL FOUR DOORS WERE UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND NOTICED A LOT OF CORROSION ON THE BATTERY TERMINALS. THE BATTERY HAD BEEN CHANGED OUT THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE WAS STILL BEING EXPERIENCED. THE DEALER (TOWN CENTER NISSAN, 2310 BARRETT LAKES BLVD NW, KENNESAW, GA 30144) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DOOR HANDLE FAILURE "COULD BE A SAFETY RISK". THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REASON THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WAS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE BATTERY TERMINALS. BOTH REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE BOTH FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11092717

2008 model year · Mileage unknown · May 6, 2018
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructure

MY DASH BOARD IS MELTING FROM THE HEAT AND CRACKING ALL AROUND. MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP COMING ON ALONG WITH TIRE SENSOR. HAD SENSOR REPLACE SEVERAL TIME AND HAVE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11092098

2013 model year · 65,000 miles · May 2, 2018
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

CAR WILL NOT RELEASE FROM PARK UNLESS YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKE RELEASE BUTTON. THIS HAPPENED AS MY CAR REACHED 65K MILES. THIS COULD BE A HUGE ISSUE AND SAFETY IF SOMEONE WAS TO BE STRANDED OUT SOMEWHERE AND THEY ARE H ABLE TO LEAVE BECAUSE THERE CAR WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. THIS PROBLEM IS AFFECTING A LOT OF VEHICLES COMING O…

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CAR WILL NOT RELEASE FROM PARK UNLESS YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKE RELEASE BUTTON. THIS HAPPENED AS MY CAR REACHED 65K MILES. THIS COULD BE A HUGE ISSUE AND SAFETY IF SOMEONE WAS TO BE STRANDED OUT SOMEWHERE AND THEY ARE H ABLE TO LEAVE BECAUSE THERE CAR WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. THIS PROBLEM IS AFFECTING A LOT OF VEHICLES COMING OUT OF NISSAN.

NHTSA ODI #11091403

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.