2021 Nissan ALTIMA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 11448805 · 2022-01-25 (January 25, 2022)
The contact rented a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the driver's side door was locked and failed to open with the door handle or the key fob. The contact was able to exit the vehicle through the passenger’s side window. The contact was also unable to open the door from the outside. The contact had to use the key to unlock the door. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11448805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11453041 · 2022-02-19 (February 19, 2022)
I bought the car in nov. 2021. I was at a store parked I put the car in reverse ,the car started to move, it made a lot of noise and it stoped. there was nothing behind me. This has happen about four times backing out of my driveway a lot of noise and the car stops. I took it to the dealer once and they told me that they could not find any problems.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11453041 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11460048 · 2022-04-07 (April 7, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a rock hit the front windshield, causing the windshield to crack. The contact scheduled an appointment with an auto glass company to have the front windshield replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11460048 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11466998 · 2022-06-01 (June 1, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: ProContact, Tire Size: 215/55/R17, DOT Number: VY3RWCN5(3621). The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the TPMS showed that the tire pressures were low. After stopping the vehicle, the contact discovered a blowout of the driver’s side rear tire. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11466998 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11479767 · 2022-08-17 (August 17, 2022)
The forward emergency braking system periodically will engage with no reason. I did not record the first date this happened. It was in July 2021. This first happened not long after I purchased the car last year on the interstate in heavy traffic with low speed and nothing close enough to set it off. Sometimes just the emergency light will just appear and disappear quickly and sometimes it comes on and the brakes go on. The dealer service and the regional technician has inspected it a few times and could find no error but it only h…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11479767 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 ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V138000 · Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
Reported: 2021-03-04 (March 4, 2021)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.
Consequence: A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PC795.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V628000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2023-09-08 (September 8, 2023)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C3.
NHTSA campaign record ↗