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
2016 model year · 80,000 miles · Sep 23, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT 30 MILES AN HOUR, WHEN I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION TO TAKE A TIGHT HAND TURN I WAS YIELDING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC COMPLETELY STOPPED . WHEN I WENT TO SLIGHTLY MOVE FORWARD TO SEE IF I HAD THE RIGHT AWAY MY CAR JOLTED FORWARD. JUST SPED UP AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO DE ACCELERATION. I ALMOST CRAS…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT 30 MILES AN HOUR, WHEN I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION TO TAKE A TIGHT HAND TURN I WAS YIELDING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC COMPLETELY STOPPED . WHEN I WENT TO SLIGHTLY MOVE FORWARD TO SEE IF I HAD THE RIGHT AWAY MY CAR JOLTED FORWARD. JUST SPED UP AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO DE ACCELERATION. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO CHILDREN CROSSING A SIDE WALK. THE ACCELERATION WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF MY CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE OTHER TIMES JUST NOT AS SIGNIFICANT. I DID NOTICE IT'S HAPPENING WHOLE MY AC IS ON.

NHTSA ODI #11257267

2014 model year · 58,000 miles · Sep 21, 2019
Electrical System

SIR/MADAM, I FILED A COMPLAINT ALREADY FILE #11243824. BACK IN AUGUST. NISSAN CALLED ME BUT NO ACTION TAKEN. I CAN NOT SEE AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE LENSES ARE DEFECTIVE. I CHANGE THE LIGHT BULB 3 TIMES. IT IS NOT THE LIGHT BULB IT'S THE MIRROR SURROUNDING IT. THERE ARE 48 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE LIGHT IS DIM IN THE SAME EXACT C…

Read full complaint

SIR/MADAM, I FILED A COMPLAINT ALREADY FILE #11243824. BACK IN AUGUST. NISSAN CALLED ME BUT NO ACTION TAKEN. I CAN NOT SEE AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE LENSES ARE DEFECTIVE. I CHANGE THE LIGHT BULB 3 TIMES. IT IS NOT THE LIGHT BULB IT'S THE MIRROR SURROUNDING IT. THERE ARE 48 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE LIGHT IS DIM IN THE SAME EXACT CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11256974

2018 model year · 30,100 miles · Sep 21, 2019
Electrical SystemService Brakes

2018 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A DEFECTIVE PUSH START AND BRAKING SYSTEM. UNABLE TO START CAR WITH PUSH START BECAUSE IT FEELS AS IF THE BRAKES ARE STUCK. HAVE TO CONTINOUSLY PUMP THE BREAK IN A EFFORT TO GET THE BRAKE TO RELEASE IN ORDER TO START THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11257083

2008 model year · 150,000 miles · Sep 16, 2019
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DIRT ROAD AND MY CAR DIED I TRIED TO START IT BACK UP BUT IT WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING I CAN'T TURN ON ANY LIGHTS UNLOCK OR LOCK THE CAR NOTHING. SHOWS A LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT LOOKS LIKE THE KEY FOB AND LOOKED IT UP AND IT SAYS THAT SOMETHING UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN CAN CAUSE THE ISSUES AND HAS A RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11256042

2014 model year · 72,000 miles · Sep 14, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TAKARA RECALL - THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS IN MY ALTIMA ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM, AND I WAS TOLD IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MY BULBS. I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN IT'S A WIRING ISSUE BUT ONLINE IT STATES "THE MATERIAL INSIDE THE PROJECTOR BOWL WEAR DOWN, BURN OFF, OR SCUFF UP, THE PROJECTOR LENS DOESN'T RECEIVE AS MUCH LIGHT TO, WELL PROJECT".

NHTSA ODI #11255491

2018 model year · Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2019
Electrical SystemService Brakes

2018 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A DEFECTIVE PUSH START AND BRAKING SYSTEM. UNABLE TO START CAR WITH PUSH START BECAUSE IT FEELS AS IF THE BRAKES ARE STUCK. HAVE TO CONTINOUSLY PUMP THE BREAK IN A EFFORT TO GET THE BRAKE TO RELEASE IN ORDER TO START THE CAR. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT RADAR SENSORS. I WHILE IN MOTION I RANDO…

Read full complaint

2018 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A DEFECTIVE PUSH START AND BRAKING SYSTEM. UNABLE TO START CAR WITH PUSH START BECAUSE IT FEELS AS IF THE BRAKES ARE STUCK. HAVE TO CONTINOUSLY PUMP THE BREAK IN A EFFORT TO GET THE BRAKE TO RELEASE IN ORDER TO START THE CAR. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE FRONT RADAR SENSORS. I WHILE IN MOTION I RANDOMLY RECEIVE AN AUDIBLE ALERT AND WARNING MESSAGE SAYING THAT THE FRONT RADAR IS UNAVAILABLE DUE TO OBSTRUCTION YET THERE WOULD NOTHING IN FRONT OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11255434

2016 model year · Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND DEFECTIVE KEYLESS PUSH BUTTON. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED OTHER FAILURES INCLUDED REAR DOORS OPENING INDEPENDENTLY, ENGINE WAS LOUD, TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS WERE INOPERABLE, AND THE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY LIT. THE CONSUMER…

Read full complaint

2016 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND DEFECTIVE KEYLESS PUSH BUTTON. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED OTHER FAILURES INCLUDED REAR DOORS OPENING INDEPENDENTLY, ENGINE WAS LOUD, TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS WERE INOPERABLE, AND THE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY LIT. THE CONSUMER STATED ALL THE REPAIRS WERE TO BE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS UNSURE THAT THE DEALER ACTUALLY COMPLETED THE RECALLS AS IT ONLY TOOK AN HOUR TO BE COMPLETED. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11253871

2013 model year · Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2019
Electrical SystemStructureInjury

MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE FAILED AT 71 000 ALONG WITH MY AUTOMATIC BRAKE LOCK ON THE GEAR SHIFTER.

NHTSA ODI #11254831

2012 model year · Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THE POWER OUTLET IN THE CENTER CONSOLE HAD GONE BAD SO MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE FUSE AND AS SOON AS I STARTED TO DRIVE, MY CAR STARTED JUMPING AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 15MPH. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BOTH COME ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THEN CRANKED IT AGAIN, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT …

Read full complaint

THE POWER OUTLET IN THE CENTER CONSOLE HAD GONE BAD SO MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE FUSE AND AS SOON AS I STARTED TO DRIVE, MY CAR STARTED JUMPING AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 15MPH. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BOTH COME ON. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THEN CRANKED IT AGAIN, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS OFF AND THE CAR DROVE FINE. NOW AT RANDOM TIMES, USUALLY IF THE CAR IS LEFT IDLING, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL COME BACK ON AND THE SAME THING HAPPENS BUT IF I TURN THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THEN CRANK IT AGAIN, THE LIGHT IS OFF AND THE CAR RUNS FINE AGAIN. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED IN 2017 BUT THAT IS THE CODE WE KEEP GETTING WHEN IT IS HOOKED TO A COMPUTER. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO REPLACED IN 2017, NO ISSUES WITH IT SO FAR... NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY CAR BUT IT'S PRETTY SCARY WHEN I'M DRIVING WITH MY 3 KIDS AND THE CAR DECIDES TO LOSE POWER, JUMP ALL OVER THE ROAD AND ONLY DRIVE 15MPH. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST 3 TIMES A DAY AND SINCE THIS IS MY PRIMARY WAY OF TRANSPORTATION, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS ISSUE SO IT CAN BE FIXED AND I CAN SAFELY TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11254592

2012 model year · 100,000 miles · Sep 2, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

THIS WAS A USED PRE-CERTIFIED CAR, PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER IN WHICH DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES UNTIL ITS WARRANTY WAS PRACTICALLY NO LONGER VALID. THE CARS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES. THE ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED WITH THE USB PORT CONNECTION TO A CELLULAR DEVICE. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL RECOGNIZE …

Read full complaint

THIS WAS A USED PRE-CERTIFIED CAR, PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER IN WHICH DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES UNTIL ITS WARRANTY WAS PRACTICALLY NO LONGER VALID. THE CARS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES. THE ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED WITH THE USB PORT CONNECTION TO A CELLULAR DEVICE. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL RECOGNIZE THE PHONE, OTHER TIMES I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE USB TO PHONE CONNECTION, TURN THE USB CORD AROUND AND RECONNECT A FEW TIMES FOR THE RADIO TO RECOGNIZE THE PHONE. AFTER THIS ISSUES, ONE SPEAKER WENT OUT. LATER ON, A SECOND SPEAKER WENT OUT. I REPLACED BOTH SPEAKERS TO FIND OUT THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THE IN-CAR AMPLIFIER BLEW. AFTER THIS, THE RADIO UNIT WOULD AT TIMES GO COMPLETELY BLACK, CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. AFTER THIS, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR NO LONGER LOCKS ELECTRONICALLY, I HAVE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK DRIVER SIDE DOOR MANUALLY BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES INDEED WORK. AFTER THESE ISSUES, I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON FOR A MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. I CLEANED THE SENSOR, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT AWAY. ABOUT 300 MILES LATER, IT CAME BACK ON AND THE CAR HESITATES/BUCKS CONSISTENTLY WITH A LOSS OF POWER ONCE THE SPEED HITS ABOUT 60 MPH. I-75 HILLS, I CAN NO LONGER ACCELERATE TO MAINTAIN SPEEDS. I REPLACED THE MAF SENSOR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. I HAD IT CLEARED FROM O'REILLY'S SINCE THE SAME CODE WAS APPEARING ON THE CAR. AFTER 10 MILES SITTING IN IDLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR APPEARED. 10 MILES AFTERWARDS THIS ON I-75, THE CAR WILL NOT CLIMB HILLS, DROPS POWER, BUCKS AND JERKS THE CAR FORWARD AND BACK. I STOPPED AT A PART STORE, TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR GOES AWAY, ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON WITH SAME CODE READING. I CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. I'VE READ A LOT OF ARTICLES ABOUT THIS, NO ONE HAS FIGURED OUT HOW TO FIX THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11252717

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.