AI DamageNissan Altima: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Nissan Altima across 11 model years: 1,755 owner complaints and 356 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 24% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 12% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 8% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 5% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 429 complaints (24% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 183.
- Electrical system: 251 complaints (14% of all), 11 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 415.
- Engine: 246 complaints (14% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 33.
- Air bags: 209 complaints (12% of all), 45 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 27.
- Service brakes: 161 complaints (9% of all), 35 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 33.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2019–2024named in 3 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1993–2001
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2002–2026named in 4 complaints
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2002–2018
- 2.5 L · hybrid · 4 cyl 2007–2011
- automatic, 4-speed 1993–2006
- automatic, 5-speed 2005–2006
- CVT 2007–2026named in 130 complaints
- manual, 5-speed 1993–2006
- manual, 6-speed 2005–2012
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,755 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 429 | 7 | 183 |
| Electrical system | 251 | 11 | 415 |
| Engine | 246 | 7 | 33 |
| Air bags | 209 | 45 | 27 |
| Service brakes | 161 | 35 | 33 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 134 | 16 | 35 |
| Vehicle speed control | 133 | 8 | 6 |
| Steering | 80 | 13 | 21 |
| Exterior lighting | 76 | 1 | 65 |
| Structure | 71 | 7 | 56 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 68 | 4 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 58 | 3 | 2 |
| Visibility | 52 | 1 | 53 |
| Suspension | 46 | 4 | 28 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact's wife owned a 2025 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving downhill at 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond.
The contact attempted to forcefully depress the brake pedal; however, the vehicle failed to stop. Due to the failure, the vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,350.
My windows were cracked or excuse me broken and my airbags were not deployed. No airbag was deployed. I did have my seatbelt on when the police came. My CB was still on so my car had to go.
The car continue to studer and jerk and continues to show since of transmission issues. These cars need to be recalled before someone is seriously injured from the known CVT issues.
Airbags did not deploy. My son in the passenger seat suffered a concussion as did I. The only thing we can find that could cause this amount of damage is if the AEB decelerated after impact unnecessarily and the airbag did not deploy.
There were no warning lights, dashboard messages, or other indicators prior to the braking failure. The issue with the braking assembly was not identified at the time of purchase and when the vehicle was returned to Koeppel Nissan to have cosmetic damages fixed.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other…
- CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other…
- TELEMATICS SERVICE INFORMATION HINT
- FALSE ACTIVATION OF AEB OR FCW IF YOU CONFIRM The customer states they have experienced false activation…
- AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING APPLIED SYSTEMS
- INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION MESSAGE DISPLAYED…
- LANE CAMERA AIMING VEHICLE REFERENCE VALUES NOT IN ESM SERVICE INFORMATION If the lane camera requires…
- DTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended
- *****Dealer Announcement***** To ensure continued customer satisfaction and confidence, Nissan is now…
- *****Dealer Announcement***** Nissan is committed to a high level of customer service and satisfaction
- FALSE ACTIVATION OF AEB OR FCW APPLIED VEHICLES
- SOFTWARE UPDATE POP-UP NOTIFICATION This bulletin is no longer active
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- 2016 Nissan Altima 2.5 L starter replacement #automobile #mechanic #diy 
- Nissan Altima Front-End Collision Repair Step-by-Step Hood, Fender, Bumper, Radiator & AC Condenser
- Rebuilding a Wrecked 2020 Nissan Altima That was TOTALED on IAA Auction
- AWD & Airbags Intact: Can You Rebuild This 2021 Altima Cheap?
- How To Diagnose And FiX A 2023 Nissan Altima After Collision Dash Messages
- 2023 Nissan Altima | It Could Happen to You
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.