2015 Nissan ALTIMA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
949 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
57,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 544 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 244 of 949 complaints (25.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 135 | 14.2% |
| Steering behavior | 52 | 5.5% |
| Braking behavior | 43 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 30 | 3.2% |
| Engine operation | 28 | 3.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 0.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 244 |
| Air Bags | 171 |
| Power Train | 158 |
| Unknown Or Other | 92 |
| Engine | 66 |
| Suspension | 63 |
| Structure:Body | 54 |
| Electrical System | 53 |
Exterior Lighting: 244; Air Bags: 171; Power Train: 158; Unknown Or Other: 92; Engine: 66; Suspension: 63; Structure:Body: 54; Electrical System: 53
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 133 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 104 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 129 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 86 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 75 |
| 150,000 and above | 17 |
Under 25,000: 133; 25,000 to 49,999: 104; 50,000 to 74,999: 129; 75,000 to 99,999: 86; 100,000 to 149,999: 75; 150,000 and above: 17
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (133). 405 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 40 |
| 2016 | 88 |
| 2017 | 71 |
| 2018 | 82 |
| 2019 | 138 |
| 2020 | 130 |
| 2021 | 113 |
| 2022 | 106 |
| 2023 | 61 |
| 2024 | 51 |
| 2025 | 35 |
| 2026 | 31 |
2014: 3; 2015: 40; 2016: 88; 2017: 71; 2018: 82; 2019: 138; 2020: 130; 2021: 113; 2022: 106; 2023: 61; 2024: 51; 2025: 35; 2026: 31
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 135 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 52 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 43 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10640005 · 2014-09-29 (September 29, 2014)
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO GOOD REASON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY RUN A PEN DOWN THE SEAM AND CLAIM THAT THERE'S AN IMPACT. I'M AN ENGINEER AND I CAN ATTEST STRESS FRACTURE ON A GLASS DOESN'T GUARANTEE THAT THERE'S NO CHIP ON THE EDGE ALONG THE WAY. THIS LOOK LIKE A STRESS FRACTURE, OR WORKMANSHIP DEFECT. NHTSA, PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS CAN LEAD INTO SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IN HIGHWAY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,621 miles reported. Look up ODI 10640005 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10669168 · 2014-12-30 (December 30, 2014)
I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA ON THE ROAD AND THERE WAS HEAVY TRAFFIC SO IT WAS SORT OF STOP AND GO AND LOTS OF IDLING. EACH TIME I PRESSED ON THE GAS, IT SEEMS THE CAR HESITATED TO GO. AFTER I GOT TO MY DESTINATION, I THEN DROVE ONTO INTERSTATE 85 IN GASTONIA, NORTH CAROLINA AND THE CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE DRIVE SHAFT ALSO STARTED SHAKING REALLY BAD. THE CAR STALLED AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF AND THE CAR COASTED OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR STOPPED ON ME. …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10669168 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10669320 · 2014-12-31 (December 31, 2014)
I JUST PURCHASED A 2015 ALTIMA SV WITH THE TECH PACKAGE. THIS INCLUDE SEVERAL SAFETY FEATURES, BUT THE ONE I WANTED MOST WAS THE BLIND SPOT WARNING SYSTEM. I DISCOVERED IN THE FIRST 2 WEEKS THAT WHEN IT WAS RAINING OR THE ROADS WERE WET, THE BSW COULD GIVE FALSE ALARMS LIKE A CAR WAS NEXT TO ME, WHEN THERE WAS NO OTHER CARS NEAR ME. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS AND ON THE SECOND TIME, I WAS HANDED A BULLETIN THAT SHOWS THE ISSUE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER TO CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SUPPORT FOR RESOLUTION. I JUST HEARD BAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 685 miles reported. Look up ODI 10669320 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10672274 · 2015-01-13 (January 13, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VIBRATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CUSTOMARY TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4. UPDATED 03/19/15*LJ UPDATED 9/15/2017*CN
Owner-reported narrative. 4 miles reported. Look up ODI 10672274 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10681780 · 2015-02-06 (February 6, 2015)
THIS VEHICLE WAS LEASED NEW ON DEC, 2, 2014 FROM A NISSAN DEALER LOCATED IN WASHINGTON, PA. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD A BURNING AND SULFUR ODOR SINCE DAY ONE AND THE SULFUR ODOR IS GETTING WORSE. THE VEHICLE IS RATED FOR 38 MPG HIGHWAY AND 27 MPH CITY. THE VEHICLE MPG IS GROWING WORSE AND IT GETS ABOUT 24 MPG AS I WRITE THIS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE TO DETERMINE THESE ISSUES AND I WAS TOLD NO PROBLEMS FOUND. IT WAS SUGGESTED TO ME TO TRY OTHER FUEL STATIONS AND TO KEEP IN MIND GAS IS NOW CHEAP! CONTACTED NISSAN USA SEVERAL TIMES WHERE …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10681780 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10689850 · 2015-02-22 (February 22, 2015)
CVT TRANSMISSION VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY IN INTERIOR (FLOORBOARDS, STEERING WHEEL, GAS PEDAL, AND AND ME) NOISE LEVEL EXTREMELY HIGH INSIDE CAR. DEALER AND NISSAN AMERICA SAY THEY WILL NOT FIX OR BUY BACK CAR. PURCHASED NEW IN SEPT 2014. HAD SAME CAR 2014 MODEL THAT HAD NO VIBRATION OR NOISE. DEALER HAD SEVEN TEST DRIVES AND ALL AGREE WITH ME, BUT NO ONE WOULD COMMIT TO SAYING THE CAR NEEDS TO BE FIXED - THEY SAY IT COULD BE DEFECTIVE OR COULD BE A DESIGN PROBLEM. EITHER WAY I AM STUCK!!! WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO ANYONE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10689850 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10701091 · 2015-03-23 (March 23, 2015)
THE AIRBAG SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT STAYS ON EVEN WHEN AN ADULT PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. WE NOTICE IT OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED PRIOR TO THE PASSENGER GETTING IN. IF WE TURN THE CAR OFF AND START IT AGAIN THE LIGHT GOES OUT. OUR VIN # WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, BUT CLEARLY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10701091 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10701307 · 2015-03-24 (March 24, 2015)
I CAME TOO A STOP SIGN. I PROCEEDED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AS I ACCELERATED I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. THE SUNROOF APPARENTLY EXPLODED AND IT RAINED GLASS ON ME. I WAS SHOCKED I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED THROUGHOUT CAR LOOKING FOR A OBJECT THINKING IT WAS THROWN AT THE CAR. I EXITED LOOKED FOR PHYSICAL DAMAGE BESIDES THE SHATTERED ROOF. NOTHING WAS SCRATCHED OR DENTED. I LOOKED AT THE ROOF I NOTICED THE GLASS SHATTERED UPWARD. IT LOOKED LIKE IT EXPLODED INSIDE OUT. I LOOKED UP ONLINE AND SEE THIS HAPPENS MORE THEN I THOUGHT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 11,451 miles reported. Look up ODI 10701307 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
10 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V116000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 2015-02-27 (February 27, 2015)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Consequence: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will be instructed to modify the bend angle of the hood actuation lever to eliminate potential interference with the hood inner panel. In addition, dealers will clean and lubricate the latch joint as needed. If significant corrosion is observed, the latch assembly will be replaced. This repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-565.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V486000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Reported: 2015-08-04 (August 4, 2015)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the agency on July 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 18, 2015. On October 14, 2015, Nissan expanded the recall to cover an additional 41,388 vehicles, including certain model year 2013-2015 Altima 3.5 vehicles equipped with a V6 engine manufactured March 30, 2012, to August 18, 2015 as well as the vehicles covered by the July 31, 2015 notification. In the affected vehicles, due to an improperly installed o-ring that may not have been seated correctly at the time of assembly, fuel may leak during a crash from the area where the fuel sending unit attaches to the fuel tank.
Consequence: If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit. The recall began on September 28, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V681000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2015-10-20 (October 20, 2015)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front 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 air bag 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 November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V733000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
Reported: 2015-11-05 (November 5, 2015)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2015 Altima and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured October 6, 2015, to October 7, 2015. The affected vehicles have front brake calipers whose mounting bolts may not be properly tightened.
Consequence: If the bolts were not properly tightened, the caliper may detach and reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will check the brake caliper mounting bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V029000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 2016-01-22 (January 22, 2016)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to December 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Consequence: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: These vehicles were previously included in recalls 14V-565 and 15V-116, however the previous remedy plan may not have been performed consistently to remove the safety risk. To correct this issue, Nissan will re-notify all affected owners and dealers will replace the hood latch with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on February 17, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 14V-565 and 15V-116.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V244000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2016-04-26 (April 26, 2016)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V911000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
Reported: 2016-12-19 (December 19, 2016)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima vehicles manufactured January 3, 2013, to July 29, 2013, 2015-2016 Rogue vehicles manufactured October 14, 2014, to August 12, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured June 4, 2015, to August 19, 2015. An incorrect Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have been installed in the front passenger seat. The incorrect ECU and seat combination may misclassify the front passenger seat occupant.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V040000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2017-01-18 (January 18, 2017)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles. The rear door latch/lock cable on the vehicles may have been improperly routed. As a result, lowering a rear window may inadvertently cause that door to unlatch and open.
Consequence: If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will correct the rear door latch/lock cable routing, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V915000 · Structure:Emergency:Escape/Egress/Exit | Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2018-12-19 (December 19, 2018)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles, previously remedied under recall number 17V-040. The door latch-lock cable may not have been routed properly in the rear door when the remedy was applied. As a result, the cable may interfere with the window regulator causing the rear passenger door to unlatch and inadvertently open without warning when the window is lowered.
Consequence: If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will secure the latch-lock cables in the correct position using the new remedy procedure, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7669.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V315000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 2020-05-28 (May 28, 2020)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2018 Nissan Altima vehicles. If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.
Consequence: Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, a warning label near the secondary hood latch, and an Owners Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: Recall 16V-029 remains open for any unremedied 2013-2015 Altimas and this recall applies to all vehicles covered by 16V-029 even if those repairs have already been performed.
NHTSA campaign record ↗