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
2009 model year · 119,000 miles · Nov 22, 2016
Electrical System

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN "INTELLIGENT KEY" WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON DASHBOARD. I CONTINUED TO MY WORK PLACE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, IGNITION SELF START WOULD NOT WORK AND I HAD TO CONTACT AAA TO BRING CAR TO DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THIS WARNING LIGHT IS ON, THE CA…

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I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN "INTELLIGENT KEY" WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON DASHBOARD. I CONTINUED TO MY WORK PLACE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, IGNITION SELF START WOULD NOT WORK AND I HAD TO CONTACT AAA TO BRING CAR TO DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THIS WARNING LIGHT IS ON, THE CAR MAY LOCK UP AT ANYTIME. I WAS TOLD THAT I OUGHT BE DRIVING SINCE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. ONE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES AT THE DEALER INDICATED THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, IN FACT THAT DAY THERE WERE THREE 2009 ALTIMAS IN THE SAME AREA GOING TO THE SAME DEALER WITH THE "SMART KEY" LOCKING THE CAR. NISSAN IS GOING TO REIMBURSE $800.00+ DOLLARS BECAUSE I BELIEVE THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM, YET THEY HAVE NOT ANNOUNCED AN OFFICIAL RECALL. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING FOR ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THE RISK OF HAVING THE CAR LOCK WHILE IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #10927582

2013 model year · 51,000 miles · Nov 22, 2016
Electrical System

I AM UNABLE TO SHIFT CAR OUT OF PARK WITHOUT DEFEATING THE INTERLOCK. I HAVE TO USE SOMETHING LIKE A SCREW DRIVER TO PUSH SOMETHING IN THE SMALL HOLE NEXT TO THE SHIFTER EVERY TIME I NEED TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. SUSPECT THE SWITCH OR SOLENOID OR WIRING CONNECTED TO BRAKE PEDAL FAILED. THIS HAPPENS WHENEVER THE CAR IS IN PARK AND…

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I AM UNABLE TO SHIFT CAR OUT OF PARK WITHOUT DEFEATING THE INTERLOCK. I HAVE TO USE SOMETHING LIKE A SCREW DRIVER TO PUSH SOMETHING IN THE SMALL HOLE NEXT TO THE SHIFTER EVERY TIME I NEED TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. SUSPECT THE SWITCH OR SOLENOID OR WIRING CONNECTED TO BRAKE PEDAL FAILED. THIS HAPPENS WHENEVER THE CAR IS IN PARK AND NOT MOVING.

NHTSA ODI #10927442

2009 model year · 66,000 miles · Nov 21, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONSISTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR FAILED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BOTTOM ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONSISTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR FAILED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BOTTOM ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ODI #10927309

2009 model year · 56,000 miles · Nov 19, 2016
Electrical System

MY DAUGHTER WAS STRANDED IN A NOT SO GREAT AREA WHEN HER CAR WOULD NOT START DUE TO A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN ALTIMA'S ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL). NISSAN DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE, BUT INSTEAD OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IF THE PART FAILED, WITHOUT NOTIFYING CONSUMERS. THIS IS SHAMEFUL ON N…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS STRANDED IN A NOT SO GREAT AREA WHEN HER CAR WOULD NOT START DUE TO A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN ALTIMA'S ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL). NISSAN DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE, BUT INSTEAD OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IF THE PART FAILED, WITHOUT NOTIFYING CONSUMERS. THIS IS SHAMEFUL ON NISSAN'S PART TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO BE STRANDED IN POSSIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THE REPAIR WILL NOW COST HER BETWEEN $1000 AND $1200

NHTSA ODI #10927062

2009 model year · 85,000 miles · Nov 16, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

VEHICLE WOULD NOT CRANK AFTER STEERING MECHANISM MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ODI #10926467

2009 model year · Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2016
Electrical System

STEERING LOCK CONTROLER IS BROKEN AND ITS A COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL ALTIMA AND NISSAN DOESN'T TAKE RISPONSIBILITY

NHTSA ODI #10926084

2009 model year · Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2016
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

CAR STALLED TWICE BOTH PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. BATTERY WORKS AND KEY FOB WORKS WITH DOORS. BUT ENGINE WONT START WITH PUSH BUTTON START. ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #10925908

2009 model year · 160,000 miles · Nov 11, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK HAS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CAR WOULD NOT START, LEAVING MYSELF AND TWO CHILDREN STRANDED.

NHTSA ODI #10925495

2009 model year · 135,000 miles · Nov 10, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILURE. LEAVES CAR DISABLED WHERE EVER YOU ARE. CAR WILL NOT START. MUST BE TOWED. NISSAN HAD AN EARLIER RECALL BUT NEVER PUBLISHED IT TO 2009 ALTIMA OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI #10925457

2009 model year · 120,000 miles · Nov 7, 2016
Electrical System

ESCL REPLACED AFTER FAILING TO ALLOW PUSH BUTTON START AND FAILED AGAIN A FEW MONTHS LATER.

NHTSA ODI #10924850

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.