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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

471 reports
105,000 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Suspension

I WAS REPLACING (MYSELF) THE BROKEN LEFT REAR SPRING AND NOTICED THAT SWAY BAR IS HANGING UNDER THE CAR. IT WAS SNAPPED OFF ON THE RIGHT SIDE NEXT TO THE BUSHING. THE SNAPPING SURFACE WAS ALREADY RUSTY, WHICH TOLD ME THAT IT WAS BROKEN ALREADY SOME TIME AGO. I WAS VERY SURPRISED TO FIND THAT MY SWAY BAR IS NOT ACTUALLY A BAR, BU…

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I WAS REPLACING (MYSELF) THE BROKEN LEFT REAR SPRING AND NOTICED THAT SWAY BAR IS HANGING UNDER THE CAR. IT WAS SNAPPED OFF ON THE RIGHT SIDE NEXT TO THE BUSHING. THE SNAPPING SURFACE WAS ALREADY RUSTY, WHICH TOLD ME THAT IT WAS BROKEN ALREADY SOME TIME AGO. I WAS VERY SURPRISED TO FIND THAT MY SWAY BAR IS NOT ACTUALLY A BAR, BUT A HOLLOW PIPE!!! ADDITIONALLY, MY LEFT REAR SPRING WAS BROKEN VERY STRANGE - ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF A TURN WAS SNAPPED FROM THE TOP... INTERESTING THAT I DID VISIT NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR TIRE PROPATION - THEY DID NOT FIND NEITHER BROKEN SPRING, NOR SNAPPED SWAY BAR!.. INSTEAD, THEY "STRONGLY RECOMMENDED" THE WHOLE BUNCH OF QUESTIONABLE (AND EXPENSIVE) REPAIRS FOR THE UPCOMING INSPECTION... I HAVE FOUND IN THE INTERNET, THAT BROKEN SWAY BAR IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE (BAD DESIGN - USE OF HOLLOW PIPE INSTEAD OF BAR). ACTUALLY, PEOPLE SUGGEST THAT IT MAY BE THE RIGHT TIME FOR THE RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615176

52,349 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

WHILE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK I NOTICED SUDDENLY THE CAR WON'T TAKE DRIVE AND JUST KEEP IDLING HIGH WHEN I PRESS GAS. I STOPPED AND CALL A FRIEND TO PICK ME UP. I CALL THE MECHANIC AND HE SEND A TOW TRUCK TO PICK ME UP. LATER HE TOLD ME THE CAR TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608768

97,821 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON JANUARY 10, 2014, I WENT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THERE MAY BE AN OIL PAN LEAK BY THE LUBE CENTER IN FREDERICK MD. I DIDN'T REALLY THINK MUCH OF IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS. MY CAR NOW IS MAKING A CHAINING LIKE NOISE WHEN DRIVING AND I WENT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE ON 6/20/14 AT SUNOCO IN FREDERICK , MD THEY SAY IT…

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ON JANUARY 10, 2014, I WENT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THERE MAY BE AN OIL PAN LEAK BY THE LUBE CENTER IN FREDERICK MD. I DIDN'T REALLY THINK MUCH OF IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS. MY CAR NOW IS MAKING A CHAINING LIKE NOISE WHEN DRIVING AND I WENT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE ON 6/20/14 AT SUNOCO IN FREDERICK , MD THEY SAY IT IS A MASSIVE OIL LEAK AND THAT MY CAR WILL CATCH FIRE AT THE ENGINE IF IT IS NOT FIXED, THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE OIL LEAK AND IT WAS NOT FROM THE OIL PAN BUT IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED RIGHT AWAY. I AM AFRAID THAT THE CAR WILL EXPLODE, I HAVE CHILDREN AND I HAVE ONE ON THE WAY. I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AT ONE POINT BUT IT IS CLOSED AND MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH THIS NOW WITH THERE VEHICLE. I STILL HAVE TO PAY 7,000 ON THIS VEHICLE BEFORE IT IS PAID OFF. I TOOK IT TO NISSAN BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THE RECALL IS NO LONGER OPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605552

80,000 miles · Jun 16, 2014
Structure

DASHBOARD IS MELTING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10598694

63,000 miles · Jun 13, 2014
Structure

MY NISSIAN ALTIMA, THE DASHBOARD IS STARTING TO CRACK AND MELT. THE LOCAL NEWS CHANNEL IN MY AREA DID INVESTIGATION ON THIS PROBLEM. LOOKS LIKE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THEY ADVISE TO FILE A COMPLAINT, AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ONLY SOLUTION IS TO HAVE THE WHOLE DASHBOARD REPLACED. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10598251

77,000 miles · Jun 12, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE BECAME DISABLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE RISER ON THE SERPENTINE BELT SNAPPED. AS A RESULT, THE BELT AND RISER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE BECAME DISABLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE RISER ON THE SERPENTINE BELT SNAPPED. AS A RESULT, THE BELT AND RISER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #10597896

71,286 miles · Jun 8, 2014
Suspension

JUST FOUND OUT THE REAR STABILIZER BAR #56230-JA10A WAS BROKEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596901

110,000 miles · May 2, 2014
Suspension

WALKED OUT TO MY CAR DURING MY LUNCH BREAK AND FOUND WHAT APPEARED TO BE A HOSE HANGING BY MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE. BEING A MOM OF TWO I PANICKED BELIEVING IT WAS A BRAKE LINE. TURNS OUT THE HOLLOW SWAY BAR CRACKED AND BROKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586222

102,000 miles · Apr 14, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

I ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE AND MY CAR BEGAN STALLING AND I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE ROAD AS ONCOMING TRAFFIC.HAD I BEEN ON A BRIDGE OR BEEN FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY ANOTHER CAR IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I PLACED IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT STARTED.I CA…

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I ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE AND MY CAR BEGAN STALLING AND I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE ROAD AS ONCOMING TRAFFIC.HAD I BEEN ON A BRIDGE OR BEEN FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY ANOTHER CAR IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I PLACED IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT STARTED.I CALLED PETRO NISSAN AND THEY SAID IT SOUNDED AS IF THE CAM OR DRIVE SENSOR WAS GOING OUT. I DROVE CAUTIOUSLY TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALER(MOSSEY) IN HOUSTON. THEY DID DIAGNOSTICS ON IT BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE IN BATON ROUGE I APPROACHED AT 70MPH BUT ON THE BRIDGE I COULD NOT GET THE ACCELERATOR TO RESPOND TO KEEP ME ABOVE 50 MPH. I FELT I WOULD HAVE STALLED HAD THE BRIDGE BEEN ANY STEEPER OR LONGER. IT WAS VERY SCARY BUT I MANAGED TO MAKE IT OVER AND EXPERIENCED NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. I TOOK IT TO PETRO THE NEXT MORNING ON THURSDAY AND IT HAS BEEN THERE SINCE. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR RE PRODUCE THE SYMPTOMS. TODAY, THEY ARE CONSULTING NISSAN FACTORY ENGINEER. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10579517

100 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Air Bags

REGARDING THE CURRENT (2013-2014) NISSAN RECALL DUE TO AIRBAG DEFECT: WE TRADED IN OUR 2007 ALTIMA FOR A 2014 MODEL. THE 2007 MODEL APPEARED TO HAVE THE SAME AIRBAG DEFECT BEING DESCRIBED IN THE CURRENT RECALL. DURING OUR OWNERSHIP OF THE 2007 MODEL, THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED ABOUT 80% OF THE TIME--IT WOUL…

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REGARDING THE CURRENT (2013-2014) NISSAN RECALL DUE TO AIRBAG DEFECT: WE TRADED IN OUR 2007 ALTIMA FOR A 2014 MODEL. THE 2007 MODEL APPEARED TO HAVE THE SAME AIRBAG DEFECT BEING DESCRIBED IN THE CURRENT RECALL. DURING OUR OWNERSHIP OF THE 2007 MODEL, THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED ABOUT 80% OF THE TIME--IT WOULD MISTAKENLY INDICATE THAT NO ONE WAS IN THE SEAT WHETHER THE ADULT SITTING THERE WAS SMALL OR HEAVY. THIS OCCURRED WITH AN ADULT SITTING IN A NORMAL, UPRIGHT, CENTERED POSITION. THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING WITH OUR NEW CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576203

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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