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
2013 model year · 19,000 miles · Feb 19, 2017
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

I HAVE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE GEAR LOCK NOT ALLOWING ME TO GET OUT OF PARK. I HAVE PUSH TO START AND MY CAR STARTS WITH NO PROBLEMS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE GEARS TO MOVE IS BY PUSHING DOWN THE GEAR RELEASE LOCK. I DO IT HAVE A VIDEO BUT THERE ARE COMPLAINTS OF THI AND VIDEOS ON YOUTUB…

Read full complaint

I HAVE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE GEAR LOCK NOT ALLOWING ME TO GET OUT OF PARK. I HAVE PUSH TO START AND MY CAR STARTS WITH NO PROBLEMS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE GEARS TO MOVE IS BY PUSHING DOWN THE GEAR RELEASE LOCK. I DO IT HAVE A VIDEO BUT THERE ARE COMPLAINTS OF THI AND VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE!

NHTSA ODI #10955472

2006 model year · 85,000 miles · Feb 18, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE THREW A CODE FOR THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR HAD THAT REPLACED THEN THE VEHICLE THREW A CODE FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. MIDAS REPLACED TWO OF THEM STILL COULD NOT CLEAR THE CODE. THE VEHICLE WILL START IN DRIVE BUT IT WILL SPUTTER WHILE STOPPED LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO A STOP THE CAR WIL…

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE THREW A CODE FOR THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR HAD THAT REPLACED THEN THE VEHICLE THREW A CODE FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. MIDAS REPLACED TWO OF THEM STILL COULD NOT CLEAR THE CODE. THE VEHICLE WILL START IN DRIVE BUT IT WILL SPUTTER WHILE STOPPED LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO A STOP THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET STARTED AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10955424

2009 model year · Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

THE START PUSH BUTTON IGNITION AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WILL NOT ENGAGE.. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE BRAKE PAD TO DEPRESS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. I AM LEFT DEAD IN THE WATER WITH NO WAY TO START OR USE THE ACCESSORIES FUNCTION TO TURN ON THE RADIO OR ALLOW MY PHONE TO CHARGE IN THE BATTERY PORT…

Read full complaint

THE START PUSH BUTTON IGNITION AND THE INTELLIGENT KEY WILL NOT ENGAGE.. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE BRAKE PAD TO DEPRESS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. I AM LEFT DEAD IN THE WATER WITH NO WAY TO START OR USE THE ACCESSORIES FUNCTION TO TURN ON THE RADIO OR ALLOW MY PHONE TO CHARGE IN THE BATTERY PORT. I WENT TO PICK UP MY FAMILY WENT TO START THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO RECOGNITION.

NHTSA ODI #10955272

2009 model year · 84,000 miles · Feb 16, 2017
Electrical System

STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE RENDERED THE CAR UNSTARTABLE

NHTSA ODI #10955110

2009 model year · 91,000 miles · Feb 16, 2017
Electrical System

WHEN I LEFT THE OFFICE TO START MY CAR YESTERDAY EVENING ON 2/15/2017, I USED MY KEY FOB TO REMOTELY UNLOCK MY PARKED 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE THOUGH, THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION DID NOTHING. THE CAR DID NOT START, NOR WOULD IT SWITCH TO ACCESSORY MODE. ON THE DASH CLUSTER, AN AMBER …

Read full complaint

WHEN I LEFT THE OFFICE TO START MY CAR YESTERDAY EVENING ON 2/15/2017, I USED MY KEY FOB TO REMOTELY UNLOCK MY PARKED 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE THOUGH, THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION DID NOTHING. THE CAR DID NOT START, NOR WOULD IT SWITCH TO ACCESSORY MODE. ON THE DASH CLUSTER, AN AMBER COLORED "KEY" LIGHT LIT UP. THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION GLOWED ORANGE WHILE THE RING AROUND IT SAID "LOCK;" NOTHING SEEMED TO ALLOW THE CAR TO START. IT WAS AS IF THE KEY FOB WAS NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE CAR. EVEN THOUGH I WAS REPEATEDLY ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS REMOTELY FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE (THE CR2025 BATTERY INSIDE WAS NOT DEAD...) AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD WORK (THE CAR BATTERY WAS NOT DEAD EITHER...), THE CAR REFUSED TO START. I CONSULTED THE MANUAL AND VERIFIED THAT THE KEY FOB WAS INSERTED CORRECTLY INTO THE SLOT TO THE LEFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN - STILL, THE CAR REFUSED TO START. I CALLED AAA TO REQUEST A TOW SINCE NOTHING SEEMED TO LET ME START THE CAR. FOR THE NEXT HOUR AND A HALF I SAT IN BELOW-FREEZING TEMPERATURES WHILE I WAITED FOR THE TOW TRUCK I CALLED FOR TO ARRIVE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED. MY SPOUSE MET ME AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE OTHER KEY FOB SO WE COULD TEST WHETHER MY KEY WAS THE ONLY AFFECTED FOB; UNFORTUNATELY, THE OTHER KEY FOB DID NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START EITHER. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, OTHERS HAVE BEEN STRANDED TOO: HTTPS://2009NISSANALTIMARECALL.WORDPRESS.COM/2013/04/08/VICTORY-2009-NISSAN-ALTIMA-STEERING-LOCK-VOLUNTARY-RECALL/ WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME SHE HAD SEEN MANY SIMILAR FAILURES ON OTHER 2009 ALTIMAS - SHE ALSO TOLD ME IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNLESS IT WAS FIXED FOR $1,200. NISSAN'S CARLOS GHOSN LEFT ME STRANDED WITH A BROKEN VEHICLE AND I AM NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER... I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10955100

2009 model year · 125,000 miles · Feb 16, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING LOCK WAS FAULTY AND THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10955001

2009 model year · 157,000 miles · Feb 14, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering

MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 LEFT ME STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT AT NIGHT. THE STEERING WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE CAR WOULD DO NOTHING! LUCKILY AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE CAR DID START. NOW A MONTH LATER, THANKFULLY, THIS HAPPENED AGAIN IN MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME! I COULD HAVE BEEN MURDERED OR RAPED IN THAT PARKING LOT! I AM HEARING THERE WA…

Read full complaint

MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2009 LEFT ME STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT AT NIGHT. THE STEERING WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE CAR WOULD DO NOTHING! LUCKILY AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE CAR DID START. NOW A MONTH LATER, THANKFULLY, THIS HAPPENED AGAIN IN MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME! I COULD HAVE BEEN MURDERED OR RAPED IN THAT PARKING LOT! I AM HEARING THERE WAS A RECALL THAT WAS AMENDED IN JANUARY 2016. I DON'T HAVE OVER $10000. FOR THIS REPAIR THAT COULD HAVE TAKEN MY LIFE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE FOR FEAR OF BEING STRANDED AGAIN!

NHTSA ODI #10954421

2013 model year · 40,000 miles · Feb 14, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

WOKE UP YESTERDAY TO A WEAK BATTERY NO START STEERING WONT LOCK.SO IT HAS TO BE TOWED CVT TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ALREADY ,IT WAS REPLACED ,AIR BAG FOR [PASSENGER} SOMETIMES WORKS ITS THE 2ND NEW CAR I EVER OWNED AND IM 54 YEARS OLD IM SO DISAPPOINTED AT THIS CAR IT MUST HAVE BEEN BUILT ON A FRIDAY.

NHTSA ODI #10954543

2009 model year · 133,000 miles · Feb 12, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering

CAR WOULD NOT START, LOCKED UP ON ME. VEHICLE TOWED TO NISSAN, TOLD IT WILL COST ME CLOSE TO $1000 TO REPAIR, NOTICED OTHER COSTUMERS HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR 6 YEARS WHICH EXPIRED 4-25-2015. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN PLAZA PARKING LOT

NHTSA ODI #10954084

2013 model year · 38,000 miles · Feb 12, 2017
Electrical System

SHIFT LOCKS IN PARK LEAVING ME IN A NON-OPERATING SITUATION AT A GAS STATION. LUCKILY I HAD A SCREW DRIVER IN MY GLOVE BOX WAS ABLE TO LOCATE AND PUSH DOWN ON THE "SHIFT RELEASE" BUTTON ALLOWING ME TO MOVE INTO DRIVE. SINCE THE INCIDENT, THE SHIFT CONSISTENTLY LOCKS IN PARK POSITION AND @38K, HAVE SURPASSED THE WARRANTY WI…

Read full complaint

SHIFT LOCKS IN PARK LEAVING ME IN A NON-OPERATING SITUATION AT A GAS STATION. LUCKILY I HAD A SCREW DRIVER IN MY GLOVE BOX WAS ABLE TO LOCATE AND PUSH DOWN ON THE "SHIFT RELEASE" BUTTON ALLOWING ME TO MOVE INTO DRIVE. SINCE THE INCIDENT, THE SHIFT CONSISTENTLY LOCKS IN PARK POSITION AND @38K, HAVE SURPASSED THE WARRANTY WITH NISSAN. UNFORTUNATELY NISSAN DOESN'T SELL THE SOLENOID SEPARATELY AND HAD TO PURCHASE THE FULL ASSEMBLY @$451.90 + $250 LABOR. SINCE 1990, I'VE CONSISTENTLY HELD ONTO MY CAR FOR 8 - 10 YEARS AVERAGING 150K MI. PER VEHICLE. I REALLY HOPE THIS FLAGS THE ATTENTION AND FITS THE PROTOCOL OF A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10954074

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.