Equipment complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 0% | 70,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 0% | 43,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% | 0 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 0% | 5,000 miles |
| 2013 | 6 | 0% | 13,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% | 1,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 0% | 0 miles |
| 2009 | 7 | 0% | 13,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 0% | 120,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 1% | 84,000 miles |
| 2006 | 5 | 1% | 81,000 miles |
| 2005 | 9 | 1% | 41,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% | 95,000 miles |
| 2003 | 8 | 1% | 91,000 miles |
| 2002 | 18 | 2% | 90,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% | — |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% | 52,000 miles |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% | 34,000 miles |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accessories, trailer hitches and other equipment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the navigation screen failed to respond while navigating. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the head unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100. Updated 4/21/15 updated 9/22/2017
Blind spot sensors are going off when raining! We had this checked out by the dealer twice and nothing was done. On second visit I was told this was going to happen during inclimate weather as it is normal. There were several other complaints as well I let him know this was unacceptable. There was no mention of this in the auto manuals nor from the sales staff. I purchased the extra safety features to keep my family safe. These features are needed especially during inclimate weather. We have no confidence in our equipment's safety features as they are misleading.
2013 Nissan Altima recall notice malfunction hood release which could cause a collision. Well happened to my daughter on August 9th, who had my permission to drive my car she by the way is 28. I was never notified of this recall, however my friend that leased the same vehicle two months prior at the same dealership, was notified. My daughter was just getting onto the expressway doing approx. 20 MPH if that when the hood of my vehicle "released" and blew up against the windshield to where she could not see at all. Luckily god was with her and she was able to pull over safely. My vehicle is still at a Nissan dealership as of today, August 26th, collision shop still sitting in the same spot that it was towed to. …
On May 26, 2014 approx 9:30 am while driving at normal highway speed in eastern pa. In my 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 sl, we heard what sounded like an extremely loud gun shot type sound right above the car roof. After slowing down and visibly shaken including my 2 occupants we slowly pulling back the sunroof liner that was closed at the time. It was noticed the entire sunroof had blown out of the car onto the highway and trunk area. The remaining glass was bulged outward like the glass was pushed outward from inside. There was no indication whatsoever of impact from outside the car. The roof, trunk and rear spoiler were covered in small shards of glass with many noticeable deep scratches from the glass impact. We stopped at the Nissan dealership in wilkes barre, pa and showed the dealership the problem we just encountered. …
Traveling on the highway at about 70 MPH, the air bag indicator went off signaling that there was no air bag. The next day, it went off signaling or indicating that there was no air bag, but only on the passenger side.
I have a 2009 Nissan Altima with just over 13000 miles on it. Last week as I was driving to work at about 65 MPH I heard what sounded like a shotgun blast over my head. The sunroof glass had shattered (more like exploded) leaving about a 2 foot circular hole in the glass. At first I thought something must have hit me but when I pulled over I could obviously see that the glass was mushroomed out as if it had exploded from the inside out, not pushed in. I took the car to my Nissan dealer and they agreed that that there was no evidence that anything had hit the glass and that it had simply spontaneously shattered. They also pointed out chips in the paint on the roof and trunk lid caused by the pieces of broken glass. After first denying any coverage, Nissan now has agreed to pay for the new glass as a "goodwill repair" but they still refuse to pay for installation or the paint damage. …
I was driving and I heard a clunk that did not seem to affect my driving ability or stability of the car. However, later that day when I turned on the cars heat; it would blow but only cold air was coming out of the vents regardless of the temperature setting or mode setting. My mechanic replaced the 2 thermostats but that did not fix the problem. This problem was a sudden onset and was not gradual in nature. My mechanic speculated that the heating coil became clogged but to replace it the cost would be in excess of $900. I'd also think the clogged system would have caused a more gradual decline in heating function.
My door behind the drivers side doesn't open and we have tried everything, I have taken my car 2 a dealership and they worked on it for over an hr, and they couldn't get 2 open. And until my door is fixed, I can't get it inspected. And this is the only vehicle I have. I need my ddor fixed or formula Nissan needs 2 replace my car and put me in a different vehicle. This has been an on going thing, and I don't have the money 2 pay someone per hr. As I live on a fixed income.
Related recalls (1)
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)
Nissan is recalling certain vehicles that were equipped with a garmin nuvi model 750 navigation system. The batteries contained in the affected GPS units can overheat.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by garmin technicians by replacing the battery and inserting a spacer on top of the battery free of charge. The safety recall began on September 16, 2010.
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Altima years have equipment problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (18), 2005 (9), 2003 (8), 2009 (7) and 2013 (6) model years. Equipment complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Nissan Altima equipment problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 10V-401 (navigational system(global positioning system), Sep 10, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Altima equipment problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles; 43% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the electrical › radio/tape deck/cd etc. (10 mentions), followed by the electrical (3).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.