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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Service Brakes complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2021
Service BrakesCrash

As I was driving north on the 101 in the Carpinteria area, I attempted to brake for a construction zone slowdown. I had about 100ft to brake and was going 50mph compared to the 25mph of the cars up ahead. When I pressed the brakes, they did not fully engage and rather appeared to 'slip'. It felt like the brakes were engaged but …

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As I was driving north on the 101 in the Carpinteria area, I attempted to brake for a construction zone slowdown. I had about 100ft to brake and was going 50mph compared to the 25mph of the cars up ahead. When I pressed the brakes, they did not fully engage and rather appeared to 'slip'. It felt like the brakes were engaged but not limiting the slow of the car in a significant manner. I rear-ended the car in front of me causing that car to hit the car in front of it. I could smell a strong burnt smell during and after the event. The car and brake piece are still available for inspection for another week or so until insurance is done investigating the car for the report, at which point it will be signed over to the scrapyard where it is currently being held (Steelhead Auto Recycler). This incident absolutely endangered my own life and the lives of the individuals of multiple vehicles around me. If I were going 10mph more than I was at the time I wouldn't be typing this message right now. I had absolutely no control over the speed of the car, and because of the construction there was no way to avoid the car in front of me. The lives of the family in the car in front of me were also especially endangered. The specific piece is not being inspected by the manufacturer or the police, although it possibly could be investigated once insurance does follow up with the report. There were no warnings that this was going to occur. In fact the car had its brakes checked just 2 years prior to this incident and it completely passed inspection with no concerns. Brake failure is not an experience I would wish on anyone in the world. It is absolutely petrifying in the moment and can result in devastation of so many lives.

NHTSA ODI #11433736

206,851 miles · Apr 24, 2021
Electrical SystemService BrakesStructureCrash

THE OWNERS AND OR SELLERS OF THIS DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING VEHICLE THAT WAS SOLD TO ME KNOWING THAT THE CAR WAS IN EXTREMELY BAD CONDITION. THESE CRIMINALS SOLD ME THE VEHICLE KNOWING THAT IT WAS NOT SMOG CLEARED OR APPROVED. THEY SOLD ME A FATAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO O HAPPEN! THEY INTENTIONALLY MODIFIED THE ODOMETER/MILEAG…

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THE OWNERS AND OR SELLERS OF THIS DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING VEHICLE THAT WAS SOLD TO ME KNOWING THAT THE CAR WAS IN EXTREMELY BAD CONDITION. THESE CRIMINALS SOLD ME THE VEHICLE KNOWING THAT IT WAS NOT SMOG CLEARED OR APPROVED. THEY SOLD ME A FATAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO O HAPPEN! THEY INTENTIONALLY MODIFIED THE ODOMETER/MILEAGE TO 85K/95K... BUT WHEN I RAN A CHECK ON CAR FAX, IT CLEARLY SHOWED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS 206,851 MILES OF WEAR AND TEAR TO ENGINE. THE BREAK SYSTEM ALMOST KILLED ME ON THE FREEWAY AND MADE ME LOSE CONTROL AND FORCEFULLY MADE ME SPIN OUT OF DRIVING CONTROL FOR 3 FULL SPINS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY, BU THE GRACE OF GOD, I MISSED ALL INCOMING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #11413635

108,000 miles · Feb 25, 2016
Seat BeltsService BrakesSuspension

WHEN STEP MY BRAKE COMING FROM THE FREEWAY TO GET EXIT MY STEERING SHAKING, MY SUSPENSION I HEARD SOMETHING WHEN GET ROUGH ROAD AND SEAT BEAT IN THE DRIVER SIDE CANT PULL ANYMORE

NHTSA ODI #10838099

65,000 miles · Aug 1, 2013
Service BrakesCrash

WHILE APPROACHING THE GATE TO MY OFFICE PARKING LOT THIS MORNING, I ATTEMPTED TO COME TO A STOP WHILE THE GATE OPENED. AS I APPROACHED THE GATE, I COULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELLING NO FASTER THAN 4-5 MILES PER HOUR. THE BRAKES FAILED TO REACT. I FLOORED THE BRAKES, BUT TO NO AVAIL, AND CRASHED INTO THE GATE. FEARFUL OF THE SAFE…

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WHILE APPROACHING THE GATE TO MY OFFICE PARKING LOT THIS MORNING, I ATTEMPTED TO COME TO A STOP WHILE THE GATE OPENED. AS I APPROACHED THE GATE, I COULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELLING NO FASTER THAN 4-5 MILES PER HOUR. THE BRAKES FAILED TO REACT. I FLOORED THE BRAKES, BUT TO NO AVAIL, AND CRASHED INTO THE GATE. FEARFUL OF THE SAFETY OF THE CAR, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN PAST ISSUES WITH THE 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. AFTER CHECKING THE CAR, I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THAT PART. IT HAD LEAKED INTERNALLY AND AT THE TIME I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE THERE WAS SIMPLY NO MORE FLUID TO PROVIDE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. I ASKED IF THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT ANY SPEED, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD HAVE DONE SO. APPARENTLY THE NHTSA HAS DEALT WITH COMPLAINTS ON THIS BEFORE, BUT AS A SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR, I HAD NO IDEA THIS ISSUE WAS OUT THERE. HAD I HAD TO BRAKE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS CASUALTIES OR EVEN FATALITIES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND CONSIDER A RECALL OF THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533119

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2013
Service Brakes

A WEEK AGO, MY BRAKES STOP WORKING, I HAVE TO PUSH THE BRAKES COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR FOR MY 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA TO STOP. MY BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON CHECKED BRAKE FLUID STILL AND NORMAL LEVEL TOOK IT TO GET MY BRAKES CHECKED THE SAID IT WAS THE BRAKE BOOSTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509768

67,000 miles · Dec 2, 2012
Service Brakes

I STARTED MY CAR ON THE MORNING OF 11/21/2012 AND NOTICED MY BRAKE LIGHT (!) POP ON, I LOOKED IN THE MANUAL AND READ MY BRAKE FLUID MAY BE LOW, I CHECKED AND IT WAS LOW SO I ADDED SOME THE LIGHT IS STILL ON, I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BE BAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486714

37,000 miles · Oct 26, 2012
Service Brakes

THE BRAKE FEELS LIKE IT IS STICKING. WHEN YOU PRESS THE BRAKE AND RELEASE IT, IT FEELS LIKE IS IT IS NOT COMING BACK ALL THE WAY. ALSO, WHEN YOU PRESS THE BRAKE SOMETIMES IT STOPS OR SLOWS SUDDENLY OR FAST, AND OTHER TIMES IT IS NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482355

25,948 miles · Jul 13, 2012
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

SLOWLY ENTERING HOME GARAGE. BRAKING. VEHICLE ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED INTO GARAGE STRIKING AND DESTROYING WORK BENCH AND DAMAGING REAR GARAGE WALL. LEFT RUBBER BURN MARKS WHERE FRONT (DRIVE) WHEELS SPUN AFTER IMPACT AND DRAG MARKS ON FLOOR WHERE REAR WHEELS WERE LOCKED UP AND DRAGGING. FILLED GARAGE AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF CAR WI…

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SLOWLY ENTERING HOME GARAGE. BRAKING. VEHICLE ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED INTO GARAGE STRIKING AND DESTROYING WORK BENCH AND DAMAGING REAR GARAGE WALL. LEFT RUBBER BURN MARKS WHERE FRONT (DRIVE) WHEELS SPUN AFTER IMPACT AND DRAG MARKS ON FLOOR WHERE REAR WHEELS WERE LOCKED UP AND DRAGGING. FILLED GARAGE AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF CAR WITH SHEET ROCK DUST FROM THE IMPACT WITH THE INTERIOR WALL. DO NOT RECALL WHEN ENGINE RETURNED TO IDLE BUT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND BACK AWAY FROM DAMAGE AREA. CAR WAS DRIVABLE AND OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER RESTARTING. DEALER ESTIMATED DAMAGE TO CAR AT $2667.99, REPORTED INCIDENT TO NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND WAS ASSIGNED CASE #[XXX]. I WILL NOW DRIVE THE CAR WITH EXTREME CAUTION AND DISCOURAGE MY WIFE FROM DRIVING IT. WAITING FOR RESPONSE BY NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE, WHICH WAS PROMISED WITHIN TWO WORKING DAYS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465576

Official recalls

3

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.

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

2

PE11020 · 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.

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