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
2005 model year · 124,000 miles · Mar 24, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE ENTIRE WARNING PANEL ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED OR MEDICAL ATTENTION REQUIRED. A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE ENTIRE WARNING PANEL ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED OR MEDICAL ATTENTION REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

NHTSA ODI #10701353

2009 model year · 153,637 miles · Mar 22, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

I DROVE TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER FROM THE BABYSITTER AND I PARKED MY CAR ALONGSIDE THE CURB. IT WAS LESS THAN 10 MIN AND WE WENT TO THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. I PERFORMED MY USUAL ROUTINE WHEN STARTING IT...INSERT KEY IN SLOT...PRESS FOOT DOWN ON BRAKE...THEN PRESS THE IGNITION START BUTTON AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START. I TRI…

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I DROVE TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER FROM THE BABYSITTER AND I PARKED MY CAR ALONGSIDE THE CURB. IT WAS LESS THAN 10 MIN AND WE WENT TO THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. I PERFORMED MY USUAL ROUTINE WHEN STARTING IT...INSERT KEY IN SLOT...PRESS FOOT DOWN ON BRAKE...THEN PRESS THE IGNITION START BUTTON AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START. I TRIED THE SAME ROUTINE A SECOND TIME ONLY TO NO AVAIL. FINALLY ON THE THIRD TIME...MY INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED A YELLOW KEY AND A RED KEY AND IT THE IGNITION BUTTON STAYED IN THE LOCK POSITION. I EVENTUALLY CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND WHEN HE ARRIVED HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS. I WAS INFORMED BY THE TOW DRIVER THAT IT WAS A STEERING WHEEL LOCK ISSUE AND THE ONLY REASON HE KNEW WAS BECAUSE I WAS HIS 6TH NISSAN IN OVER A THREE DAY SPAN. APPARENTLY...NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE AS A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10700916

2003 model year · 130,000 miles · Mar 19, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineSuspension

SERVICE ENGINE SOON LITE CAME ON , CAR RUNS SLUGGISH , STALLS WHILE RUNNING AT SLOW SPEED, PUT ON COMPUTER STATED CAM SHAFT IGNITORS/SENSORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10695516

2008 model year · 148,000 miles · Mar 12, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

CAR CRANKS BUT WON'T START. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694004

2009 model year · 101,000 miles · Mar 12, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

JUST FINISHED A 13 HOUR SHIFT AT WORK WHEN I WENT OUT TO MY CAR TO HEAD HOME. THE KEY FOB OPENED THE DOORS BUT WOULD NOT ALLOW THE IGNITION TO START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE, WHICH NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF. I SPOKE WITH TWO DEALERSHIPS WHICH TOLD ME THIS IS IN…

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JUST FINISHED A 13 HOUR SHIFT AT WORK WHEN I WENT OUT TO MY CAR TO HEAD HOME. THE KEY FOB OPENED THE DOORS BUT WOULD NOT ALLOW THE IGNITION TO START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILURE, WHICH NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF. I SPOKE WITH TWO DEALERSHIPS WHICH TOLD ME THIS IS INDEED A CHRONIC ISSUE. I SUBMITTED A CLAIM TO NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHICH THEY DENIED SINCE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED 8 WEEKS PRIOR. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY AGAIN ADVISED ME TO COMPLAIN TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AS THEY HAD 5 CARS COME IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE 4 DAYS THAT MY CAR WAS THERE. I AGAIN CALLED CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHO TOLD ME AGAIN THAT MY CLAIM WAS DENIED ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED, THEY WOULD NOT BUDGE ON THIS. I HAD TO ARGUE WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR 15 MINUTES BEFORE HE WOULD HAVE HIS SUPERVISOR CALL ME BACK, STILL WAITING FOR THAT CALL. NISSAN IS VERY AWARE THAT THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE AND EXPECT THE CONSUMER TO EAT THE COSTS WHEN THE PART INEVITABLY FAILS. THEY SAY THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN, BUT DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING STRANDED. NISSAN DOES NOT STAND BY ITS PRODUCT OR ITS CONSUMERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10693934

2006 model year · Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WITHOUT WARNING, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND THE PARKING LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07E087000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WITHOUT WARNING, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND THE PARKING LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07E087000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10693947

2005 model year · 10,000 miles · Mar 10, 2015
Electrical SystemSuspension

THE CAR STOPPED THE CAM SHAFT SENSORS WERE BAD.AND THE RATTLE IN MY PASSENGER SIDE CANT FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10693433

2009 model year · 26,466 miles · Mar 7, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) FAILED WHILE CAR WAS PARKED. THIS COULD CERTAINLY BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT OCCURRED LATE AT NIGHT OR IN A DANGEROUS AREA. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A SHORT IN THIS. COULD THIS HAVE CAUSED A FIRE? COULD THEY HAVE FIXED THE SHORT WITHOUT CHARGING ME $993.65 BECAUSE IT WAS 3 MONTHS PAST THE…

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ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) FAILED WHILE CAR WAS PARKED. THIS COULD CERTAINLY BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT OCCURRED LATE AT NIGHT OR IN A DANGEROUS AREA. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A SHORT IN THIS. COULD THIS HAVE CAUSED A FIRE? COULD THEY HAVE FIXED THE SHORT WITHOUT CHARGING ME $993.65 BECAUSE IT WAS 3 MONTHS PAST THE 6 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY? CAR HAS ONLY 26466 MILES ON IT. THE STARTING MECHANISM WHICH SENSES THE BRAKE BEING DEPRESSED HAD FAILED PREVIOUSLY, AND FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, WHEN I WAS FAR FROM HOME AT A LAKESIDE. TWO ELECTRICAL STARTING FAILURES ON THE SAME VEHICLE. FROM THEIR WEB SITE: YOUR NISSAN VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) UNIT THAT LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF TO HELP PREVENT THEFT. ON SOME VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING IRREGULARITY THAT HAS SINCE BEEN CORRECTED, THE ESCL MAY MALFUNCTION AFTER THE VEHICLE IS LOCKED AND COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM STARTING. THIS CONDITION, SHOULD IT OCCUR, WILL ONLY OCCUR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, AND NOT WHILE DRIVING. ALTHOUGH NISSAN BELIEVES THE MAJORITY OF OWNERS WILL NEVER EXPERIENCE THIS UNIQUE CONDITION, TO ASSURE YOUR CONTINUED SATISFACTION AND CONFIDENCE IN YOUR VEHICLE, NISSAN HAS DECIDED TO EXTEND THE NISSAN NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY, AS IT APPLIES TO THE ESCL UNIT, FROM 3 YEARS / 36,000 MILES TO 6 YEARS / UNLIMITED MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. ACCESS TO COMPLETE INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDING A REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM FORM WILL BE AVAILABLE AT WWW.NISSANASSIST.COM ON APRIL 1, 2013. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692727

2009 model year · 100,000 miles · Mar 4, 2015
Electrical System

MY DAUGHTER, AGE 24, STOPPED BY A LOCAL WALGREENS AFTER WORKING AS A PERSONAL TRAINER. IT WAS LATE EVENING AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 15 DEGREES. SHE WENT TO START HER CAR (PUSH BUTTON START) AND IT WOULDN'T START. SHE WAITED FOR 2 HOURS BEFORE SOMEONE COULD COME HELP. THIS IS AN ISSUE NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF AND HAS ADMITTED IS DU…

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MY DAUGHTER, AGE 24, STOPPED BY A LOCAL WALGREENS AFTER WORKING AS A PERSONAL TRAINER. IT WAS LATE EVENING AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 15 DEGREES. SHE WENT TO START HER CAR (PUSH BUTTON START) AND IT WOULDN'T START. SHE WAITED FOR 2 HOURS BEFORE SOMEONE COULD COME HELP. THIS IS AN ISSUE NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF AND HAS ADMITTED IS DUE TO A "MANUFACTURING IRREGULARITY". IT'S NOT A MATTER OF IF THE PART WILL FAIL BUT WHEN THE PART WILL FAIL. WHILE THE CAR MAY BE STATIONARY, IT NONE THE LESS PUTS THE DRIVER AT RISK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691978

2009 model year · 58,690 miles · Feb 27, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE THEFT SYSTEM LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THEFT SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE THEFT SYSTEM LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THEFT SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,690.

NHTSA ODI #10691176

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.