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 · Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

NOT TOO LONG AGO MY CAR WOULD NOT START IN SEVERAL OCASSIONS I HAD MY CHILDREN WITH ME AGES 4 & 7 IN THE HEAT STRANDED BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE MY KEY... I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMERS AFFAIRS AT ONE POINT THEIR WAS A RECALL BUT HAS EXPIRE IN 2015 ..NOW ITS JUNE 2016 AND MY CAR JUST STARTED DOING THIS I MADE 1YR WIT…

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NOT TOO LONG AGO MY CAR WOULD NOT START IN SEVERAL OCASSIONS I HAD MY CHILDREN WITH ME AGES 4 & 7 IN THE HEAT STRANDED BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE MY KEY... I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMERS AFFAIRS AT ONE POINT THEIR WAS A RECALL BUT HAS EXPIRE IN 2015 ..NOW ITS JUNE 2016 AND MY CAR JUST STARTED DOING THIS I MADE 1YR WITH MY PRE OWNED CAR STILL MAKIN PAYMENTS NOT ONCE WAS I NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS RECALL..I JUST FELT SCARED AND THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN.IT COULD LEAVE US STRANDED ANY TIME AND ITS JUNE I CANNOT RISK IT IN THIS HEAT.... THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE... NISSAN DID STATE TO ME THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL AND THEIR SORRY BUT IT HAS EXPIRED AND IM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PART... THIS IS A MANUFACTURE ISSUE THEY KNEW THEIR VECHICLES HAD A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THEY MADE THEM I BELIEVE THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS COSTLY MATTER... I AM A SINGLE MOM OF 2 STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT WONT UNLOCK AND READ MY KEY I NEED HELP PLEASE SOMEONE..... THIS PART IS $680+ LABOR=$1150!!!! I BELIEVE NISSAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE ...

NHTSA ODI #10873111

2009 model year · 83,000 miles · Jun 5, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

PASSENGER OCCUPANT SENSOR HAS FAILED. THE AMBER PASSENGER OCCUPANT DASHBOARD LIGHT ALWAYS REMAINS ON. THIS MEANS THAT EVEN WITH THE SEAT OCCUPIED BY AN APPROPRIATE SIZED ADULT, THE LIGHT SAYS THE OCCUPANT IS NOT BEING 'SENSED'. ALSO, THE CONTROL PANEL ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A RED FLASHING AIRBAG LIGHT. THE NISSAN DEA…

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PASSENGER OCCUPANT SENSOR HAS FAILED. THE AMBER PASSENGER OCCUPANT DASHBOARD LIGHT ALWAYS REMAINS ON. THIS MEANS THAT EVEN WITH THE SEAT OCCUPIED BY AN APPROPRIATE SIZED ADULT, THE LIGHT SAYS THE OCCUPANT IS NOT BEING 'SENSED'. ALSO, THE CONTROL PANEL ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A RED FLASHING AIRBAG LIGHT. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAYS THE ERROR CODE INDICATES A FAILURE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT AIRBAG SENSOR. MY COST IS AT LEAST $2400 TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT. I AM UNABLE TO PAY THAT KIND OF MONEY. I AM HOPING FOR A NISSAN RECALL OR TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON THAT MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. I SEE MANY OTHER YEARS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAD THE ISSUE AND THE MANUFACTURER FIXED THEM AT NO COST. THAT IS WHAT I AM HOPING FOR. THIS CAR HAS NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT. THIS JUST HAPPENED OUT OF THE BLUE.

NHTSA ODI #10872634

2009 model year · 80,000 miles · Jun 3, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK IS DEFECTIVE AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START LEAVING ME STRANDED WITH MY FAMILY WITHOUT ANY OTHER WAY OR FORM OF STARTING MY CAR. NISSAN WILL NOT RESPOND OR FIX THE ISSUE DUE TO EXPIRED WARRANTY WITH ONLY 80K ON THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10872338

2009 model year · 43,918 miles · Jun 2, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AS THE KEY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AS THE KEY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,918.

NHTSA ODI #10872154

2007 model year · 71,300 miles · May 31, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE SENSOR WAS RESET, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE SENSOR WAS RESET, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CUSHION AND AIR BAG SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V521000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,300.

NHTSA ODI #10871575

2009 model year · Mileage unknown · May 31, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTION AND NOW I'M UNABLE TO START MY CAR. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND HASN'T RECALLED AND NOW MY WARRANTY IS OVER AND I HAVE TO PAY $900 TO GET IT FIXED

NHTSA ODI #10871520

2009 model year · 89,406 miles · May 30, 2016
Electrical System

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED AFTER MY SON HAD PARKED HIS CAR AT A CONVENIENCE STORE. THIS LEFT MY SON IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH NO ACCESS TO A FUNCTIONING CAR IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I DO NOT CONSIDER TO BE SAFE. THE RESOLUTION WAS TO CALL AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE THE VEHICLE BROUGHT TO THE DEALER WHER…

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THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED AFTER MY SON HAD PARKED HIS CAR AT A CONVENIENCE STORE. THIS LEFT MY SON IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH NO ACCESS TO A FUNCTIONING CAR IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I DO NOT CONSIDER TO BE SAFE. THE RESOLUTION WAS TO CALL AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE THE VEHICLE BROUGHT TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ISSUES WAS REPAIRED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS ESCL ISSUE IS A KNOW PROBLEM FOR WHICH NISSAN INITIALLY ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN AND EXTENDED WARRANTEE FOR THAT THEY HAVE SINCE WITHDRAWN. I FEEL THIS ISSUE SHOULD RESULT N A RECALL FOR SAFETY REASONS AS IT CAN PLACE A PERSON IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO START THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10871419

2009 model year · 147,000 miles · May 24, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SENSOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10870611

2009 model year · 114,500 miles · May 23, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

TAKATA RECALL. MY COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA STEERING LOCK FAILURE. MY LOCK FAILURE OCCURRED ON 05-22-16. I RETURNED HOME AFTER A DAY OF SPENDING TIME WITH SOME FRIENDS. I PARKED MY CAR AND LATER THAT EVENING, I DECIDED TO GO TO THE STORE. ONCE I GOT IN THE CAR, I COULDN'T START IT. THE BRAKE WAS REALLY HA…

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TAKATA RECALL. MY COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA STEERING LOCK FAILURE. MY LOCK FAILURE OCCURRED ON 05-22-16. I RETURNED HOME AFTER A DAY OF SPENDING TIME WITH SOME FRIENDS. I PARKED MY CAR AND LATER THAT EVENING, I DECIDED TO GO TO THE STORE. ONCE I GOT IN THE CAR, I COULDN'T START IT. THE BRAKE WAS REALLY HARD TO PUSH AND YELLOW KEY LIGHT ILLUMINATED FROM MY DASHBOARD. THE FOB WOULD ALLOW ME TO UNLOCK AND CLOSE DOORS. THE LIGHTS WORKED, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS SITUATION OCCUR IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY APARTMENT COMPLEX OTHERWISE THE CAR COULD HAVE BROKEN DOWN SOMEWHERE REALLY UNSAFE. MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS FIXED FOR $939.38

NHTSA ODI #10870462

2009 model year · Mileage unknown · May 22, 2016
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

I OWN A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MAY 16, 2016 I ARRIVED HOME AT 10:30 I PARKED THE CAR IN MY DRIVE WAY TURNED THE CAR OFF AN WENT INSIDE MY HOUSE. I PREPARED MY DAD'S LUNCH AND WENT BACK INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR IT WOULD NO LONGER START THE A RED CAR LIGHT WITH KEY WAS BLINKING AND A ORANGE KEY AS WELL M…

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I OWN A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MAY 16, 2016 I ARRIVED HOME AT 10:30 I PARKED THE CAR IN MY DRIVE WAY TURNED THE CAR OFF AN WENT INSIDE MY HOUSE. I PREPARED MY DAD'S LUNCH AND WENT BACK INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR IT WOULD NO LONGER START THE A RED CAR LIGHT WITH KEY WAS BLINKING AND A ORANGE KEY AS WELL MY WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN AND WON'T ROLL UP AND ITS BEEN RAINING PLEASE HELP I CALLED NISSAN THEY ASKED IF WITHOUT HURTING MYSELF COULD I JERK THE BRAKE AND START THE CAR THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AT NISSAN THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SO MANY PEOPLE

NHTSA ODI #10870213

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.