IllustrationWHILE DRIVE CAR STARTED SMOKING. UNDER CARRIAGE ERUPTED IN FLAMES. I WAS PULL OUT OF THE CAR BY DRIVER ON THE HIGHWAY BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF POLICE OFFICER WERE ABLE TO GET TO ME. BY THIS TIME THE CAR WAS IN GULF IN FLAMES. *TR
2007 Nissan Altima
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Altima years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Nissan Altima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
670–25K
7625–50K
8450–75K
5575–100K
65100–150K
25150K+
372 reports with mileage · 99 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 to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Suspension. Review the 121 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
28 crash reports22 fire reports13 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
37 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS CRACKING AND MELTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
I WAS DRIVING AND I HEARD A CLUNK THAT DID NOT SEEM TO AFFECT MY DRIVING ABILITY OR STABILITY OF THE CAR. HOWEVER, LATER THAT DAY WHEN I TURNED ON THE CARS HEAT; IT WOULD BLOW BUT ONLY COLD AIR WAS COMING OUT OF THE VENTS REGARDLESS OF THE TEMPERATURE SETTING OR MODE SETTING. MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE 2 THERMOSTATS BUT THAT DID…
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I WAS DRIVING AND I HEARD A CLUNK THAT DID NOT SEEM TO AFFECT MY DRIVING ABILITY OR STABILITY OF THE CAR. HOWEVER, LATER THAT DAY WHEN I TURNED ON THE CARS HEAT; IT WOULD BLOW BUT ONLY COLD AIR WAS COMING OUT OF THE VENTS REGARDLESS OF THE TEMPERATURE SETTING OR MODE SETTING. MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE 2 THERMOSTATS BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM WAS A SUDDEN ONSET AND WAS NOT GRADUAL IN NATURE. MY MECHANIC SPECULATED THAT THE HEATING COIL BECAME CLOGGED BUT TO REPLACE IT THE COST WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF $900. I'D ALSO THINK THE CLOGGED SYSTEM WOULD HAVE CAUSED A MORE GRADUAL DECLINE IN HEATING FUNCTION. *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO. I COASTED AND PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. I THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE OFF, ONLY TO EXPERIENCE THIS SAME PROBLEM SEVERAL MORE TIMES. IT IS CURRENTLY AT OUR ME…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO. I COASTED AND PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. I THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE OFF, ONLY TO EXPERIENCE THIS SAME PROBLEM SEVERAL MORE TIMES. IT IS CURRENTLY AT OUR MECHANIC'S, BUT THEY ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY TROUBLESHOOTING THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM INITIALLY HAPPENED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. SHE EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM, I TOOK THE VEHICLE OUT FOR A DRIVE AND IT DID THE SAME THING. *TR
I'VE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY WOULD FLICKER AT TIMES, EVEN SHUTTING OFF/GO BLANK. LAST MONTH, IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. SINCE THIS TIME, I'VE SEARCHED AND BROWSED THE INTERNET TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO IT. UPON MY SEARCH, I FOUND THAT MANY OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA CAR OWNERS SUFFER FROM MY SAME PLIGHT AND …
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I'VE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY WOULD FLICKER AT TIMES, EVEN SHUTTING OFF/GO BLANK. LAST MONTH, IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. SINCE THIS TIME, I'VE SEARCHED AND BROWSED THE INTERNET TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO IT. UPON MY SEARCH, I FOUND THAT MANY OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA CAR OWNERS SUFFER FROM MY SAME PLIGHT AND THAT THERE IS A "TBS" FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. MOVING FORWARD, I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AT MY NEAREST DEALERSHIP (GARDEN CITY). IT IS QUITE A SAFETY HAZARD AND GREAT INCONVENIENCE NOT TO BE ABLE TO KNOW THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION NEEDED TO MAINTAIN YOUR CAR AND KEEP IT PERFORMING AT IT'S OPTIMUM!! *TR
I WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE. UPON RETURNING TO MY VEHICLE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE CAR CYCLES TO THE "ACC" AND "ON" POSITION BUT DOES NOT START. THE DASH LIGHTS UP, THE BLINKERS WORK, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK, AND ALL OTHER NOTICEABLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WORK. THE CAR JUST DOES NOT START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT…
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I WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE. UPON RETURNING TO MY VEHICLE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE CAR CYCLES TO THE "ACC" AND "ON" POSITION BUT DOES NOT START. THE DASH LIGHTS UP, THE BLINKERS WORK, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK, AND ALL OTHER NOTICEABLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WORK. THE CAR JUST DOES NOT START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. AFTER 2 DAYS OF DIAGNOSING, THE SHOP OWNER CALLED AND STATED THAT HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT I NEED TO COME TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. HE STATED HE EXPLORED EVERYTHING AND PARTS WISE THE CAR WAS FINE. HE SAID THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE NISSAN TEST THE CAR ON THE COM III. I THEN TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY CALLED ME TO CHARGE ME FOR 3 HOURS OF LABOR TO LOOK FURTHER INTO THE ISSUE. I AGREED AND WITHIN AN HOUR OF PAYING FOR THE ADDITIONAL LABOR THEY CALLED ME WITH A GENERAL SOLUTION. I NEED TO CHANGE THE ECM (COMPUTER), EGI (ENGINE WIRING HARNESS) AND I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. GRAND TOTAL $3100. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE CAR BREAKING, THE CAR DROVE LIKE A CHAMP THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT DIES. SOMETHING IS FISHY IN THE AIR NISSAN AND THIS WILL BE THE LAST NISSAN I'LL OWN. AFTER THIS INCIDENT I FOUND OUT THESE CARS ARE RIDDLED WITH ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IF ONLY FORE-SIGHT WAS BETTER THAN HIND SIGHT. *TR
WHILE GOING 65+ THE SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO AND THE CAR COULD NOT REGISTER THE SPEED IT WAS GOING OR SHIFT PROPERLY. NOW DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE SPEEDOMETER WORKS BUT THE CAR IS JERKING AND NOT SHIFTING. *TR
2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, FOR A SCHEDULED SERVICE VISIT, AS WELL AS FOR A BLINKING PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE SEAT CUSHION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD CO…
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2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, FOR A SCHEDULED SERVICE VISIT, AS WELL AS FOR A BLINKING PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE SEAT CUSHION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST $ 1693.55. THE CONSUMER DECLINED THE REPLACEMENT. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED HIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL CAMPAIGN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2008. HOWEVER, HE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN BULLETIN. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INFORMED THE CONSUMER HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RANGE OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 08V521000. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AUTOMATIC IGNITION STARTER FAILED, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO KICK OR JERK, AND EVENTUALLY THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. *TR
Official recalls
308V521000 · 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.
07V267000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Jun 21, 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, IF A SUFFICIENTLY HOT OBJECT ENTERS THE AIR FILTER HOUSING THROUGH THE ENGINE FRESH AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND CONTACTS THE ENGINE AIR FILTER, THE FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL ARE SUCH THAT THE FILTER MAY IGNITE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL IGNITES, A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR FILTER WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS IMPROVED ANTI-FLAMMABILITY MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 3, 2007, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2007. 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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE11020 · Brake Master Cylinder Internal Leak
Opened May 23, 2011 · Closed Mar 14, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE11-020 to investigate possible brake performance loss due to brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder into the brake booster in the subject vehicles.A total of 237 complaints were identified by ODI and Nissan.The majority of complaints and warranty claims reported that brake malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illumination as the only symptom of a problem.Only 12 complaints alleged any effect on brake performance and in each of these the drivers were able to stop the vehicles without incident.No crash claims could be attributed to the alleged defect. Returned part analysis data provided by Nissan showed that most of the master cylinders replaced under warranty did not have a leak condition.These replacements may have resulted from brake MIL illumination due to pad wear.For most of the warranty claims, in a few cases where a master cylinder leak was found, Nissan's testing showed that the leaks were extremely slow and would require thousands of miles or months of driving before brake performance could be affected.After an extensive study of replaced master cylinders for a presumed leak, Nissan was unable to identify any concern with the parts or design of the subject components that could affect brake performance. Nevertheless, Nissan does recognize a concern with premature brake MIL illumination and has decided to address this problem by conducting a voluntary service campaign covering approximately 1.17 million model year 2007 through 2012 Altima vehicles (up to June 25, 2011 production, the date of Nissan's running change for the longer life brake pad).Nissan's owner letter for the service campaign states, As your brake pads wear over time, the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir will drop and may cause the brake warning lamp to illuminate.?Although this is a normal condition, there has been concern that the brake warning light illumination may be caused by a slow fluid leak over time.Nissan's service campaign will inspect the brake pads and test the master cylinder for leakage.If leakage is detected, Nissan will replace the master cylinder at no charge.If excessive pad wear is observed, customers will be notified and will be responsible for repairs.For more details concerning Nissan's service campaign, see the PE11-020 file on www.Safercar.gov. Based on the low failure rate for confirmed master cylinder leakage in the subject vehicles and the low probability that the condition would affect brake performance, this investigation is closed.
PE07026 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened May 22, 2007 · Closed Jun 27, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
NISSAN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY ON JUNE 18, 2007 THAT IT WILL RECALL (RECALL # 07V267) ALL MY 2007 ALTIMA VEHICLES WITH 2.5 LITER ENGINE BUILT AT THE SMYRNA, TENNESSEE PLANT FROM SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 TO MAY 11, 2007 AND AT THE CANTON, MISSISSIPPI PLANT FROM OCTOBER 30, 2006 TO MAY 11, 2007.NISSAN DETERMINED THAT IF A SUFFICIENTLY HOT OBJECT (FOR EXAMPLE, A CIGARETTE ASH OR OTHER IGNITION SOURCE) ENTERS THE AIR FILTER HOUSING THROUGH THE ENGINE FRESH AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND CONTACTS THE AIR FILTER, THE FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL ARE SUCH THAT THE FILTER MAY IGNITE.IF THE AIR FILTER IGNITES, A FIRE MAY OCCUR.VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THESE DATES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A DIFFERENT AIR FILTER.NISSAN WILL REMOVE THE ORIGINAL AIR FILTER AND INSTALL A NEW UNIT WITH IMPROVED ANTI-FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS.ODI IS AWARE OF 26 REPORTS OF FIRE (OF WHICH THREE WERE REPORTED DIRECTLY TO BOTH ODI AND NISSAN) AND NO INJURIES.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.