IllustrationNISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD CRACKING AND LEAVING CHEMICAL SMELL. CRACKING ADVANCES IN THE SUNLIGHT/HEAT. APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH NISSAN ALTIMAS IN THE 2007-2009 RANGE.
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
37 reportsTAKATA RECALL, LIGHT OF AIR BAG IS OFF DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND IS BRAKING
THE DASHBOARD IS DISINTEGRATING. EVEN THE SIDES OF THE CONSOLE WHICH ARE NOT IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT ARE CRUMBLING APART. THE DATE OF OCCURRENCE IS A GUESSTIMATE AS I ONLY JUST FOUND THIS SITE. IT HAS BEEN DETERIORATING FOR YEARS.
THE DASH IS MELTING AND GIVING LARGE GLARE IN SUNNY DAYS ITS REALLY STICKY AND QUITE THE EYE SORE. ONLY HELP OFFERED WAS TELLING ME TO INSTALL NEW DASH AT MY EXPENSE OR COVER WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY STICK SO YOU COULDNT REMOVE TO CLEAN07
WALKED OUTSIDE TO NOTICE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE AND HANGING UNDERNEATH MY CAR. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THAT MY STABILIZER (SWAY BAR) WAS BROKEN AND WOULD COST NEARLY $400 TO REPLACE. AFTER RECEIVING THE NEWS, I DECIDED TO RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT A MYRIAD OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME P…
Read full complaint
WALKED OUTSIDE TO NOTICE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE AND HANGING UNDERNEATH MY CAR. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THAT MY STABILIZER (SWAY BAR) WAS BROKEN AND WOULD COST NEARLY $400 TO REPLACE. AFTER RECEIVING THE NEWS, I DECIDED TO RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT A MYRIAD OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE THIS ISSUE BEING TAKEN CARE OF WITHOUT HAVING TO COME OUT POCKET, CONSIDERING THAT MY DRIVING COULDN'T HAVE CAUSED THIS.
NISSAN MELTING DASHBOARD - MY DASHBOARD HAS BECOME PERMANENTLY SHINY AND STICKY TO THE TOUCH. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM TENNESSEE AND DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL I BROUGHT IT HOME TO FLORIDA. THE SHINE REFLECTS OFF OF THE DASHBOARD AND ONTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY ON S…
Read full complaint
NISSAN MELTING DASHBOARD - MY DASHBOARD HAS BECOME PERMANENTLY SHINY AND STICKY TO THE TOUCH. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM TENNESSEE AND DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL I BROUGHT IT HOME TO FLORIDA. THE SHINE REFLECTS OFF OF THE DASHBOARD AND ONTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY ON SUNNY DAYS. I FEEL UNSAFE DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURER ISSUE THAT NISSAN HAS CAUSED FOR MANY VEHICLES. IF I AM EVER IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS SHINY DASHBOARD I WILL TAKE ACTION AGAINST NISSAN. THERE WAS A LAWSUIT IN FL FOR 2008 ALTIMAS WITH THIS ISSUE BUT I DID NOT QUALIFY BECAUSE MINE IS 2007 AND I DID NOT HAVE THE CAR WHEN THE LAWSUIT WAS STILL ACTIVE. I HAVE TRIED TO MAKE A CLAIM WITH NISSAN BUT THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IF IT TAKES SOMEONE DYING FROM AN ACCIDENT FROM THESE MELTING DASHBOARDS THAT IS TOO FAR. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO FORCE A RECALL ON ALL MODELS AND YEARS THAT THIS EFFECTS!! 2007 ALTIMAS ARE AFFECTED BY THESE MELTING DASHBOARDS, NOT JUST 2008!! MANY 2007 OWNERS I KNOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM!!!! I AM BEYOND FURIOUS ABOUT THIS ISSUE!!!
THE VEHICLE TAKES OVER 40 MINUTES OF DRIVING TO HAVE THE HEAT BLOWER ACTIVATE ON COLD TEMPERATURES. STARTING AND LETTING THE VEHICLE RUN IDLE FOR 20 MINUTES BEFORE DRIVING DOESN'T SEEM TO HELP THIS SITUATION. HEATER WILL NOT WORK UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, CAUSE THE WINDOWS TO FOG UP WHILE DRIVING AND PUTTING THE DRIVER AND PASSENG…
Read full complaint
THE VEHICLE TAKES OVER 40 MINUTES OF DRIVING TO HAVE THE HEAT BLOWER ACTIVATE ON COLD TEMPERATURES. STARTING AND LETTING THE VEHICLE RUN IDLE FOR 20 MINUTES BEFORE DRIVING DOESN'T SEEM TO HELP THIS SITUATION. HEATER WILL NOT WORK UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, CAUSE THE WINDOWS TO FOG UP WHILE DRIVING AND PUTTING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS IN A SERIOUS SITUATION IN WHICH THEY CAN EXPERIENCE FROSTBITE FROM THE EXTREME TEMPERATURE, ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE THRU THE WINDOWS AND LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE COLD CAUSES THE DRIVER TO LOSE GRIP ON THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE HEATING SYSTEM, SAYING THAT IS TYPICAL FOR NISSANS TO TAKE THAT LONG TO HEAT UP. NO OTHER EXPLANATION PROVIDED OR SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE.
CRACKING AND STICKY DASHBOARD. GARAGE KEPT 15% TINT ON WINDOWS AND HAVE CRACKS FROM ONE SIDE OF DASH TO OTHER AND CHUNKS OF DASH FALLING OFF AROUND CLUSTER OF GAUGES. MY CAR ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT TOO!TALKED TO NISSAN CORP, AND GOT QUITE FOR $2400!!! TOLD BY NISSAN CORP THAT SINCE MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN TO A NISSAN DEALERSHI…
Read full complaint
CRACKING AND STICKY DASHBOARD. GARAGE KEPT 15% TINT ON WINDOWS AND HAVE CRACKS FROM ONE SIDE OF DASH TO OTHER AND CHUNKS OF DASH FALLING OFF AROUND CLUSTER OF GAUGES. MY CAR ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT TOO!TALKED TO NISSAN CORP, AND GOT QUITE FOR $2400!!! TOLD BY NISSAN CORP THAT SINCE MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP (MAINTENANCE DONE AT OTHER SHOP) I WAS [XXX] OUT OF LUCK BASICALLY. I LOVE MY CAR AND JUST WANT NISSAN TO REPLACE THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT! MY FAMILY DOESN'T THINK MY CAR IS SAFE ANYMORE AND I DON'T WANT TO GET RID OF IT!! PLEASE PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!! THANK YOU!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
DRIVING AFTER WORK AND NOTICED MY CAR WAS SHAKING WHEN IT WOULD CHANGE GEARS...I TOOK IT NISSAN DEALER BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A WARRANTY FOR CVS TRANSMISSION AND THEY TOLD ME THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED. I ONLY HAD 118,000 MILES BUT WAS OVER YEAR WARRANTY AND NISSAN TOLD ME IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE TO CHANGE IT BECAUSE IT WAS A CVT…
Read full complaint
DRIVING AFTER WORK AND NOTICED MY CAR WAS SHAKING WHEN IT WOULD CHANGE GEARS...I TOOK IT NISSAN DEALER BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A WARRANTY FOR CVS TRANSMISSION AND THEY TOLD ME THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED. I ONLY HAD 118,000 MILES BUT WAS OVER YEAR WARRANTY AND NISSAN TOLD ME IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE TO CHANGE IT BECAUSE IT WAS A CVT TRANSMISSION...SO UPSET I LOOKED ONLINE AND THERE IS SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CVT TRANSMISSION I WOULD NEVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN
NISSAN ALTIMA 2007 4 CYL. THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING IN VARIOUS AREAS. MANY LENGTHY CRACKS WHICH ARE BEGINNING TO OPEN WIDER AND BECOMING LARGER. ALSO THE DASHBOARD IS VERY STICKY. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGED FOR 4 YEARS. WOULD BE NICE IF NISSAN WOULD LOOK INTO THIS DEFECT. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING OF TH…
Read full complaint
NISSAN ALTIMA 2007 4 CYL. THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING IN VARIOUS AREAS. MANY LENGTHY CRACKS WHICH ARE BEGINNING TO OPEN WIDER AND BECOMING LARGER. ALSO THE DASHBOARD IS VERY STICKY. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGED FOR 4 YEARS. WOULD BE NICE IF NISSAN WOULD LOOK INTO THIS DEFECT. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE DASHBOARD.
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.