2021 Nissan ALTIMA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
69 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
41,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 69 complaints (29.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 33.3% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 8.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 5.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 20 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 18 |
| Service Brakes | 18 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 7 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Suspension | 5 |
Electrical System: 20; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 18; Service Brakes: 18; Unknown Or Other: 12; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 7; Steering: 7; Engine: 6; Suspension: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 58 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 19 |
| 2026 | 16 |
2021: 2; 2022: 6; 2023: 14; 2024: 12; 2025: 19; 2026: 16
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11439954 · 2021-11-10 (November 10, 2021)
First of all I know there is a break in period. The stering seems to be loose at times almost to loose when I’m turning , especially a more sharper turn. The brakes are loud at a stop almost like they are warped but it only has 300 miles.the suspension, brakes,,underneath the front end, and the steering do not feel like they are one unit.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11439954 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11444993 · 2021-12-26 (December 26, 2021)
While driving home from work I experienced my fourth or fifth malfunction error flashing across my digital display. It scares me because this time is different. This time the flash made the seat vibrate and before I had a chance to react, I totally lost control Of my steering even though I had my hand family placed on each side of the wheel none of my maneuvers resulting in the tires moving in any direction. I was trying to straighten myself out but the trajectory Steered me to the right side of the road and up over the curb which tore out my…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11444993 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11481199 · 2022-08-25 (August 25, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH in a rainstorm, the automatic emergency braking system warning light illuminated, however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact continued to drive and noticed that once they cleared the rainstorm the warning light disengaged. The contact informed the dealer and was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was relat…
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11481199 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11581518 · 2024-04-06 (April 6, 2024)
This has been an ongoing issue for over 2 years where I go somewhere, park and come back out and my car won’t start. I literally have to have someone come in to give me a jump so the whole time I was thinking it was a bad battery so I went and bought a new battery. Well fast forward not even 7 months later I’m in the same position I go to the store come out and my car completely has no power so I take the car to autozone and what do you know a faulty engine and alternator. So I get on line and see I’m not the only one with this issue. My main c…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11581518 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11603901 · 2024-07-22 (July 22, 2024)
I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding a recurring transmission issue with my 2021 Nissan Altima. The car has been experiencing significant power loss while driving, which I am certain is linked to a malfunctioning CVT transmission system. Despite ensuring that the transmission fluid levels are correct, the problem persists. Recently, the car lost power while I was going at least 50 mph on a busy road, which is very dangerous. Additionally, I have come across numerous complaints from other owners of the same model experiencing s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11603901 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11628170 · 2024-12-01 (December 1, 2024)
TRANSMISSION HAD FRONT SEAL LEAKING.CAR HAS LESS THAN 51,OOO MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11628170 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11729180 · 2026-04-04 (April 4, 2026)
The system malfunctioning is the front sensor braking. My safety and others were put at risk with this because multiple times my car has braked me and or completely stopped me because it’s malfunctioning , it happens while I am on a busy street and someone even almost rear ended me because my car braked out of nowhere. It’s called “Phantom Braking”. No, the problem has not been confirmed by dealer became they stopped answering. I took it to the manufacture but they want to charge me too much. Yes and it first appeared Feb 2nd , a day after I bo…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11729180 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11745511 · 2026-06-21 (June 21, 2026)
While heading west on interstate after a Drs. Appointment my wife was driving our 2021 Nissan Altima when suddenly there was a loss of power to the engine as if the engine was overheating or had loss of fuel or only able to slowly exit the freeway to a safe place and call a tow truck, after 1 1/2 days of diagnosing and testing. I was able to drive the vehicle with no issues for approximately 4000 miles when the exact problem has occurred this past Friday 6-19-2026
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11745511 at NHTSA ↗