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
2008 model year · 170,000 miles · Jun 17, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V521000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V521000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #10725789

2006 model year · Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

MY CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF PERIODICALLY WHILE BEING DRIVE AT LOW SPEEDS AND HIGHER OIL CONSUMPTION. THE FIRST TIME OCCURRED ON JUNE 6, 2015 WHILE DRIVING ACROSS WOODYARD ROAD TO PINE VIEW LANE FROM THE CLINTON SHOPPING CENTER. THE SECOND TIME WAS ON FRIDAY JUNE 12, 2015 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE BRANCH AVE METRO PARKING, WITH …

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MY CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF PERIODICALLY WHILE BEING DRIVE AT LOW SPEEDS AND HIGHER OIL CONSUMPTION. THE FIRST TIME OCCURRED ON JUNE 6, 2015 WHILE DRIVING ACROSS WOODYARD ROAD TO PINE VIEW LANE FROM THE CLINTON SHOPPING CENTER. THE SECOND TIME WAS ON FRIDAY JUNE 12, 2015 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE BRANCH AVE METRO PARKING, WITH MY BROTHER ON THE WAY HOME, WHILE TURNING OFF FROM HIGHWAY 5 ON TO SURRATTS ROAD, LEAVING MY BROTHER AND I DANGEROUSLY STUCK THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE OFF CURVE WITH CARS GOING BY BLOWING THEIR HORNS. THE ALTIMA DOES START BACK UP, BUT ONLY AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO. NO APPARENT REASON WHY, NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE CAR HAS BEEN CONSUMING MORE OIL THAN USUAL AND AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DOES NOT SHUT OFF. A SEARCH FOR RECALLS REVEALED IN FACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED, 06V-223 ON THE 2006 ALTIMA, BUT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OR THE RECALL ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #10725771

2009 model year · 13,000 miles · Jun 13, 2015
Electrical System

MY CAR WILL NOT START. IT IS A PUSH TO START SYSTEM AND THE NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START MY CAR. TURNS OUT THAT I HAVE A DEFECTIVE STEER LOCK SWITCH AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE IN THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #10725118

2009 model year · 98,000 miles · Jun 9, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. IN ADDITION, THE SECURITY INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. IN ADDITION, THE SECURITY INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10724224

2013 model year · 49,000 miles · Jun 9, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ODI #10724398

2009 model year · 62,000 miles · Jun 4, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10723433

2008 model year · 100,000 miles · Jun 3, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10723285

2012 model year · Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2015
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE YEARS. THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE YEARS. THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 7/16/15*CN

NHTSA ODI #10722671

2013 model year · 10,600 miles · May 27, 2015
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesPower TrainFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION INDEPENDENTLY AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE UNRELATED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM DRIVE INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION INDEPENDENTLY AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE UNRELATED FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE THAT INCLUDED THE EXTERIOR DOOR FAILING TO UNLOCK OR LOCK WITH THE KEY FOB UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. A BURNING ODOR EMITTED FROM THE AIR VENTS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER OR HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. THERE WERE NO FLAMES PRESENT. ALSO, THE BRAKES SQUEAKED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS CONCERN REGARDING A POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARD WITH THE PUSH BUTTON STARTER CAUSING CANCER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,600.

NHTSA ODI #10721764

2009 model year · 18,250 miles · May 26, 2015
Electrical System

ENGINE WITH PUSH BUTTON START WOULD NOT TURN OVER AFTER 3HR STOP AND A LONG DRIVE PREVIOUS TO STOP. BATTERY WAS TOTALLY DEAD, BUT AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO JUMP START IT DID TURN OVER. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL DRAW ON BATTERY DURING STOP EITHER. STOPPED AT NISSAN DEALER TO CHECK THE STARTING SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT NORMAL…

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ENGINE WITH PUSH BUTTON START WOULD NOT TURN OVER AFTER 3HR STOP AND A LONG DRIVE PREVIOUS TO STOP. BATTERY WAS TOTALLY DEAD, BUT AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO JUMP START IT DID TURN OVER. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL DRAW ON BATTERY DURING STOP EITHER. STOPPED AT NISSAN DEALER TO CHECK THE STARTING SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT NORMAL. SERVICE TECH RECALLED THIS PROBLEM WITH MY PARTICULAR YEAR AND MODEL, AND SAID A BRAKE SWITCH AND SUB HARNESS ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE REPLACED, BUT AT $800+ COST I DECLINED OFFER. PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY LATER AND AS OF THIS DATE I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM, BUT EVERY TIME I START IT I CROSS MY FINGERS.

NHTSA ODI #10724004

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.