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
2013 model year · Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2021
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

When a passenger sits in the front seat the airbag light on the dashboard indicates the airbag isn't armed. I have had a Nissan dealer "fix" it three times and it starts again in a few weeks. First time dealer said a connection came loose when the seat was adjusted. Same thing the second time and the third time they said they se…

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When a passenger sits in the front seat the airbag light on the dashboard indicates the airbag isn't armed. I have had a Nissan dealer "fix" it three times and it starts again in a few weeks. First time dealer said a connection came loose when the seat was adjusted. Same thing the second time and the third time they said they secured the connection. the light came on in a matter of weeks again . I will take the car back for a fourth time soon. I asked the dealer service rep if there were any service bulletins regarding this problem, he said there weren't any, I feel that I can't have the only car with this problem. Whenever there is a passenger in the front seat I worry about being involved in an accident and their airbag not deploying.

NHTSA ODI #11435583

2018 model year · Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2021
Air BagsElectrical System

The airbag safety system has failed in my car. When a passenger or driver is in the car. The weight sensors and seatbelt sensors that activate the the airbag system fail to activate. This is something that I caught and mentioned it to a Nissan dealer when my car was in for service on another recall for hood latches. This is some…

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The airbag safety system has failed in my car. When a passenger or driver is in the car. The weight sensors and seatbelt sensors that activate the the airbag system fail to activate. This is something that I caught and mentioned it to a Nissan dealer when my car was in for service on another recall for hood latches. This is something that not only puts risk to passenger and driver in my car. But puts others at risk as well. Nissan and the extended warranty company have failed to correct the issue. As my safety is now at risk if I get into an accident and my airbags do not deploy. The issue is that the weight sensors and modulator have gone bad. The total cost just for those two things is around $585, by the time you add in airbag system replacement it comes to around $5000 to $7000. I would like this looked at due to the cause it is a preventative measure that be taken if we take that action now. This is on the 2018 model. I am willing to help in anyway I can with the investigation.

NHTSA ODI #11434239

2015 model year · Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2021
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

Car was misfiring for a while. Got spark plugs and coils changed. Two days after they were changed car still kept misfiring and jerking and wouldn’t change from the first gear and takes a minute to accelerate after a complete stop. Has white smoke coming from the muffler. Two days ago it stalled to start and would not drive or r…

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Car was misfiring for a while. Got spark plugs and coils changed. Two days after they were changed car still kept misfiring and jerking and wouldn’t change from the first gear and takes a minute to accelerate after a complete stop. Has white smoke coming from the muffler. Two days ago it stalled to start and would not drive or reverse. Dash board keeps saying system malfunction and LDW (lane departure warning) and BSW (blindspot warning) and check engine light stays on.

NHTSA ODI #11433290

2006 model year · Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineSteeringFire

Last year i had the same issues with my 2003 nissan sentra gxe that i am now facing with my 2006 nissan altima. The serpentine belt comes off because of the harmonic balance and this ones ac clutch locked up and is wobbling plus my transmission acts irratic snd the starter csused the cwr to stall and catch fire! Th3 stress and a…

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Last year i had the same issues with my 2003 nissan sentra gxe that i am now facing with my 2006 nissan altima. The serpentine belt comes off because of the harmonic balance and this ones ac clutch locked up and is wobbling plus my transmission acts irratic snd the starter csused the cwr to stall and catch fire! Th3 stress and agony of dpending all my savings fixing the car to end up stuck anyways and this is ongoing problems that keep reoccuring in all piece of sh** nissans and they want more money id like to file a lawsuit ! #BOYCOTT NISSAN

NHTSA ODI #11431146

2015 model year · Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2021
Air BagsElectrical System

Airbag sensor warning lamp is on. Has happened in the past as well but Nissan fixed it since there was a recall. Now the car is outside the warranty, Nissan does not want to fix their defected airbag components/sensors and is asking for $1700 to start with a replacement part on the back of the driver seat and does not even guara…

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Airbag sensor warning lamp is on. Has happened in the past as well but Nissan fixed it since there was a recall. Now the car is outside the warranty, Nissan does not want to fix their defected airbag components/sensors and is asking for $1700 to start with a replacement part on the back of the driver seat and does not even guarantee the fix, they say more diagnosis/repairs might be needed after the first fix. I need help. Nissan North America refused to help and told me if I want I can reach out to NHTSA since there is no recall at the moment. The air bags will not work in the event of a crash and my wife drives this car everyday with my 2 little girls. Can NHTSA help with this safety issue? I purchased this car brand new from Nissan, I am the only owner and this car has never been in an accident.

NHTSA ODI #11430247

2014 model year · Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2021
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

When I bought the car the headlights were dim they driver side headlight keeps burning out they said it wasn't covered under the warranty whatsoever but yet you can't see at night to drive if it is dark I cannot drive my car never have been able to since about it but yet Nissan says nothing's wrong with it hit the repairs on me …

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When I bought the car the headlights were dim they driver side headlight keeps burning out they said it wasn't covered under the warranty whatsoever but yet you can't see at night to drive if it is dark I cannot drive my car never have been able to since about it but yet Nissan says nothing's wrong with it hit the repairs on me this is not the first time I've made a complaint about this but it does no good

NHTSA ODI #11430406

2006 model year · Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2021
Electrical SystemPower Train

UNKNOWN: While driving the car will stall. After restarting it, the car will then be stuck in fifth (highest) gear. The SES (Service engine soon) light comes on. The first time this happened, after the next trip, the SES light went out. Then the same thing happened. This is a danger because if this happens in heavy traffic…

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UNKNOWN: While driving the car will stall. After restarting it, the car will then be stuck in fifth (highest) gear. The SES (Service engine soon) light comes on. The first time this happened, after the next trip, the SES light went out. Then the same thing happened. This is a danger because if this happens in heavy traffic, it could lead to a collision.

NHTSA ODI #11429429

2014 model year · Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2021
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

Low beams are too dim while driving at night they look like they are practically not even on at all.

NHTSA ODI #11428522

2011 model year · Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2021
Electrical SystemPower TrainSuspension

No incident, but I am prevent one from happening. My C.V.T. Transmission is winning in 1st gear, CVT stands for {continuously variable transmission}. I need to let up on the gas pedal each time it's supposed to shift.. Even if you don't know much about how a transmission works, you have probably heard of the manual and the auto…

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No incident, but I am prevent one from happening. My C.V.T. Transmission is winning in 1st gear, CVT stands for {continuously variable transmission}. I need to let up on the gas pedal each time it's supposed to shift.. Even if you don't know much about how a transmission works, you have probably heard of the manual and the automatic. The CVT is the newest type of a transmission. It is sometimes referred to as the shiftless transmission and is a type of automatic, a steady RPM constant even if the vehicle is accelerating rapidly in a passing scenario, for example, the CVT knows the optimal engine speed is pretty high (typically around 5,000 RPM or less on the tachometer), so it shifts you up there as soon as you put the gas petal down...In a passing scenario, for example, the CVT knows the optimal engine speed is pretty high (typically around 5,000 or less RPM's on the tachometer), so it shifts you up there as soon as it is ready ! Shifting this car is like its going to exploded !! I had it serviced at Nissan as soon I perchance it.. The cost was $250.00 for the transmission flush with new oil, no change and I am sick of riding like this thinking my investment can be left on a high way ...

NHTSA ODI #11428444

2019 model year · Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2021
Electrical System

I was out of town when my car stopped on me the car could not detect my key i kept getting the warning key id incorrect my car would not start i had to get it towed to the nissan dealership in lake city Florida were they put it on the diagnostic system no code pulled up they programmed a new key to it it still didn't work so th…

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I was out of town when my car stopped on me the car could not detect my key i kept getting the warning key id incorrect my car would not start i had to get it towed to the nissan dealership in lake city Florida were they put it on the diagnostic system no code pulled up they programmed a new key to it it still didn't work so they finally told me they didn't know what wrong with it a week later i all them and they tell me it was my computer module that it had went out I've only had the car 1yr and half bought it brand new i was out of town stranded at a gas station no way to get home only option they gave me was to trade it in they end up auctioning the car off because it would have cost them to much to fix it

NHTSA ODI #11428097

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.