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 · 14,000 miles · Apr 21, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. UPDATED 6/25/15*CN

NHTSA ODI #10711937

2003 model year · Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR WHEN MY CAR SHUTOFF ALL OF A SUDDEN. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AND CARS WERE WHIZZING BY ME . FINALLY AFTER SEVERAL TRIES THAT SEEMED LIKE FOREVER, THE CAR STARTED AND I TOOK THE FIRST EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY. THEN ONCE I MADE IT OFF THE HIGHWAY THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT …

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR WHEN MY CAR SHUTOFF ALL OF A SUDDEN. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AND CARS WERE WHIZZING BY ME . FINALLY AFTER SEVERAL TRIES THAT SEEMED LIKE FOREVER, THE CAR STARTED AND I TOOK THE FIRST EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY. THEN ONCE I MADE IT OFF THE HIGHWAY THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I MADE IT BACK HOME BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START PROPERLY. IT COMES ON AND THEN SHUTOFF OR STAYS ON FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN MAKES A SOUND LIKE ITS GOING TO CUTOFF IF YOU PUT IT IN GEAR. FINALLY HAD THE CAR CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT/CRANKSHAFT SENSORS BASED ON THE CODES. MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED DURING RUSH HOUR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THESE PARTS SEEM TO CONTINUOUSLY GO BAD AND ENDANGER THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE. I HAVE LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706633

2009 model year · 55,000 miles · Apr 17, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

MY CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER WORK AND COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, UNTIL I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR SOME HELP, AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH ALTIMA'S FROM 2009 2010. I CONTACTED CORPORATE NISSAN, WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED TWO MONTHS AGO, EXACTLY, AND I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED BY A NI…

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MY CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER WORK AND COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, UNTIL I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR SOME HELP, AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH ALTIMA'S FROM 2009 2010. I CONTACTED CORPORATE NISSAN, WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED TWO MONTHS AGO, EXACTLY, AND I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED BY A NISSAN BEFORE THEY CONSIDER COVERING FAULTY PARTS. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NISSAN REPAIR, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE POWER STEERING LOCK WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $1020.00. NISSAN MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA'S. I REPORTED BACK TO CORPORATE, WHO SAID THEY WOULD "INVESTIGATE" MY CLAIM, AND ASSURED I WOULD BE CONTACTED TWO DAYS AGO. NEVER RECEIVED A CALL, DESPITE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REACH THEM, AND CONVENIENT FOR NISSAN THAT THE DEPARTMENT I NEED DOESN'T HAVE AN AVAILABLE TELEPHONE NUMBER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706322

2009 model year · 55,000 miles · Apr 17, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

MY CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER LEAVING WORK, COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, UNTIL I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH. I CONTACTED CORPORATE NISSAN, WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED TWO MONTHS AGO, EXACTLY, AND I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED BY A NISSAN REPAIR BEFORE THEY CONSIDER COVERING FAULTY PARTS. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO T…

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MY CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER LEAVING WORK, COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, UNTIL I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH. I CONTACTED CORPORATE NISSAN, WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED TWO MONTHS AGO, EXACTLY, AND I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED BY A NISSAN REPAIR BEFORE THEY CONSIDER COVERING FAULTY PARTS. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE NISSAN REPAIR, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE POWER STEERING LOCK WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $1020.00. NISSAN MECHANIC SAID THAT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA'S. I REPORTED BACK TO CORPORATE, WHO SAID THEY WOULD "INVESTIGATE" MY CLAIM, AND ASSURED I WOULD BE CONTACTED TWO DAYS AGO. NEVER RECEIVED A CALL, DESPITE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REACH THEM, AND CONVENIENT FOR NISSAN THAT THE DEPARTMENT I NEED DOESN'T HAVE AN AVAILABLE TELEPHONE NUMBER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706309

2009 model year · 94,444 miles · Apr 16, 2015
Electrical System

AIRBAGS LIGHT FOR BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE CAME ON INDICATING THAT THEY WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706168

2009 model year · 94,444 miles · Apr 16, 2015
Electrical System

STEERING LOCK - NOT ABLE TO START VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706160

2008 model year · 74,000 miles · Apr 15, 2015
Electrical SystemStructureVisibility/wiper

MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA NEEDS TO BE RECALLED DUE TO DASHBOARD MELTING. THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND GIVES OFF A GLARE DURING THE DAYTIME WHILE DRIVING. THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND BLINDS MY VISION WHEN I DRIVE DURING THE DAY. PLEASE NISSAN FIX THIS ISSUE. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MATERIALS USED WHEN MANUFACTURING A VEH…

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MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA NEEDS TO BE RECALLED DUE TO DASHBOARD MELTING. THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND GIVES OFF A GLARE DURING THE DAYTIME WHILE DRIVING. THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND BLINDS MY VISION WHEN I DRIVE DURING THE DAY. PLEASE NISSAN FIX THIS ISSUE. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MATERIALS USED WHEN MANUFACTURING A VEHICLE. CARE ABOUT YOUR CUSTOMERS CONCERNS AND FIX MY DASHBOARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705977

2003 model year · 159,000 miles · Apr 13, 2015
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

CAR STALLED TWO TIMES WITHIN 20 MINUTES WHEN SLOWING CAR DOWN TO MAKE A TURN. MEINEKE AND PAUL MILLER NISSAN OF FAIRFIELD, CT IDENTIFIED THAT PARTS 23731-AL61A (CRANKSHAFT/CAMSHAFT SENSOR) AND 23731-6J90B (CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR) NEED TO BE REPLACED. THESE SENSORS WERE PART A RECALL FOR THE SAME MAKE, YEAR AND MODEL OF CAR …

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CAR STALLED TWO TIMES WITHIN 20 MINUTES WHEN SLOWING CAR DOWN TO MAKE A TURN. MEINEKE AND PAUL MILLER NISSAN OF FAIRFIELD, CT IDENTIFIED THAT PARTS 23731-AL61A (CRANKSHAFT/CAMSHAFT SENSOR) AND 23731-6J90B (CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR) NEED TO BE REPLACED. THESE SENSORS WERE PART A RECALL FOR THE SAME MAKE, YEAR AND MODEL OF CAR THAT I OWN. NISSAN N.A. CLAIMS THAT MY VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. 630,000+ VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL BUT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT APPLY. ON LINE COMPLAINTS SUGGESTS THAT THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINT KEEPS RECURRING BUT NISSAN HAS NOT EXPANDED THERE VIN REGISTRY TO INCLUDE ALL CARS THAT ARE AFFECTED. SPOKE WITH NISSAN N.A. CASE EXPEDITER WHO STATED MY VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT ON THE AFFECTED LIST ALTHOUGH MY COMPLAINT WAS THE SAME AS THOSE VEHICLES ON THE LIST. NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE WOULD NOT TELL ME WHERE MY PART WAS MADE AND WHERE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS WERE IN FACT MADE. CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS INTERNAL NISSAN INFORMATION THAT THEY HAD NO OBLIGATION TO GIVE ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705426

2009 model year · 95,524 miles · Apr 12, 2015
Electrical System

I WAS AT THE STORAGE UNIT CLEANING IT OUT WHEN I CAME OUT AND THE CAR WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK, BUT THE BRAKE WAS HARD TO PUSH DOWN, AND WITH YOU PUSHED THE START BUTTON IT WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE LOCK POSITION. THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK UP AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705159

2009 model year · 83,902 miles · Apr 10, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE SPARE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE SPARE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,902.

NHTSA ODI #10704917

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.