THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) HAS BROKEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND MY CAR HAS BECOME A GIANT BRICK AND I CAN'T EVEN PLACE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO MOVE IT. I WALKED OUT TO START MY CAR FOR WORK ONE DAY AND I FOUND OUT MY CAR WAS DEAD.
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
YearTopic reportsRecallsInvestigations
20251
2020243
10202310
0020227
01202121
22202045
62201958
72201837
24201727
33201642
43201555
103201471
852013159
125201244
41201131
10201074
302009466
40200890
41200737
32200672
30200597
10200432
10200389
41200277
51200119
10200025
1019994
00199815
00199714
10199611
00199516
32199414
2219937
11Recall 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
2280–25K
20425–50K
27250–75K
21375–100K
216100–150K
61150K+
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 reportsEVERYTHING I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE/REPAIR ON THIS CAR IS LINKED TO RECALLS, BUT NISSAN IS DENYING THIS & REFUSING TO HELP. THEY SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF ANY RECALLS BUT EVERYTHING THAT'S FAILING IS RELATED. IT HAS DIED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC W/ MY CHILD IN THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES. THIS CAR IS DEFECTIVE & NO ON…
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EVERYTHING I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE/REPAIR ON THIS CAR IS LINKED TO RECALLS, BUT NISSAN IS DENYING THIS & REFUSING TO HELP. THEY SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF ANY RECALLS BUT EVERYTHING THAT'S FAILING IS RELATED. IT HAS DIED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC W/ MY CHILD IN THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES. THIS CAR IS DEFECTIVE & NO ONE FROM NISSAN IS CONCERNED!!!! BUTTERFLY SCREW/VALVE ISSUES, CAM/CRANK SHAFT ISSUES--RELATED TO ENGINE COOLING, HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION; ALTERNATOR FAILING; OIL LEAKING
VEHICLE I MISSING AND I HAD TO FILE A POLICE REPORT FOR A STOLEN VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN EMAIL THAT INFORMED HER OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN EMAIL THAT INFORMED HER OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE PUSH TO START BUTTON FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG HESITATION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NISSAN ALTIMA RECALL I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AN MY 03 NISSAN DIED AN WOULD NOT START BACK IT DOESN'T TURN OVER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START, BOTH WITH THE PUSH TO START BUTTON AND THE EMERGENCY KEY SLOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START, BOTH WITH THE PUSH TO START BUTTON AND THE EMERGENCY KEY SLOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
PARKED IN GARAGE, WOULDN'T START, STEERING LOCK SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING SO THE ENGINE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE PUSH BUTTON START, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO AUTO MECHANIC TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED FOR $1,000 PLUS TOWING! NISSAN STOPPED USING THIS PART IN 2010 SO THEY MUST KNOW IT WAS A BAD PART. I COULD HAVE BEEN ANYWHERE WHEN THIS HAPP…
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PARKED IN GARAGE, WOULDN'T START, STEERING LOCK SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING SO THE ENGINE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE PUSH BUTTON START, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO AUTO MECHANIC TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED FOR $1,000 PLUS TOWING! NISSAN STOPPED USING THIS PART IN 2010 SO THEY MUST KNOW IT WAS A BAD PART. I COULD HAVE BEEN ANYWHERE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND BEEN STRANDED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS WHO WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,526.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND "KEY FOB" WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL); HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND "KEY FOB" WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL); HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Related Official recalls
314V138000 · 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
0No component-matched exact-year investigations in this snapshot.