Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 12% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% | 5,000 miles |
| 2021 | 7 | 10% | — |
| 2020 | 13 | 8% | 3,000 miles |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% | 14,000 miles |
| 2018 | 12 | 5% | 37,000 miles |
| 2017 | 16 | 4% | 21,000 miles |
| 2016 | 16 | 3% | 47,000 miles |
| 2015 | 48 | 5% | 15,000 miles |
| 2014 | 58 | 5% | 20,000 miles |
| 2013 | 94 | 4% | 23,000 miles |
| 2012 | 17 | 4% | 30,000 miles |
| 2011 | 13 | 5% | 77,000 miles |
| 2010 | 20 | 5% | 64,000 miles |
| 2009 | 859 | 56% | 80,000 miles |
| 2008 | 37 | 4% | 72,000 miles |
| 2007 | 17 | 4% | 72,000 miles |
| 2006 | 15 | 2% | 70,000 miles |
| 2005 | 31 | 3% | 85,000 miles |
| 2004 | 11 | 4% | 68,000 miles |
| 2003 | 13 | 1% | 110,000 miles |
| 2002 | 15 | 1% | 35,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% | 137,000 miles |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% | 84,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1996 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
This request is due to my concern that a possible manufacturing or other defect in the 2024 Nissan Altima's steering and/or wheel mechanisms caused a sudden loss of steering control and resulted in a collision and serious injuries. The car was taken possession by National Car Rental. I am unsure if the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others, but it has been reported to the manufacturer (Nissan), my insurance company (State Farm), and the car rental company (National). I don't think there were any warning lights. The following is what I experienced. I was driving, passengers were in the front and rear right seats. …
Just purchased a pre-owned 2024 Nissan Altima SR mileage 23637. Driving home from the dealership, steering wheel had intermittent vibration which continues to this day. Brought to dealership on September 3, 2025 and they were unable to duplicate problem at that time. Rescheduled new appointment to re-evaluate problem for September 11, 2025. Our safety is compromised by the strong possibility of the collapse of the steering wheel while driving as other recalled Altima cars in 2024 models. Trying to prevent a potential accident and loss of life. Respectfully, concerned driver
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 front end And, had it not been for my superb braking skills, id be headfirst into a big cement hole on the side of the road. Brakes We're locked out until I pressed on them 15,000 times it seems. Fortunately I am the only one hurt, I'm grateful that no one else has been involved in this malfunction of supposed quality machinery. …
When I make a turn, I hear a clicking noise and also when I come to a complete stop, I can a sound that sounds like a grunting noise. I had new brakes, rotors and brand new tires put on in 2025. I think my ball joints and tie rod is defective. I have a triple AAA membership and I just renewed it in June and it said that my 2021 has two recalls. NHTSA # 23V628000 The back over prevention sensing system camera & NHTSA# 21V138000 Steering Linkage Tie Rod Assembly.
Tie rod ball joint snapped and broke at 15mph causing vehichle to loose control and forced off-road into a fence post. No Collison warning or lane departure warning. I had the vehichle towed back to dealership Nissan Wesley chapel. I was in process of possibly purchasing vehichle. Couldn't find financing for me so received a letter rescinding their transaction. My ins agency Esurance concluded it a tota loss. Never heard back from Nissan or my ins. agency on what caused it to break. Everytime I asked I was never given a response. I have several photos of vehichle and found a recall for tie rod and ball joint fasteners on same make and year. Would like some answers to this safety issue being if I was going faster I could have been killed. 2 days prior to accident began hearing clicking noise when going over speed bump. …
When making a routine right-hand turn, the steering system failed. Driver had an unresponsive vehicle which crashed into a bridge rail. Driver was taken for medical attention. No warning lights prior to the crash. Vehicle has only been serviced by the dealer Nissan Peacock of Houston since purchased in December of 2019. A vehicle recall (NHTSA Campaign ID: 21V138000) was issued for this year, make, and model, but not for this particular VIN. This recall was for the tie rod ball joint fasteners.
While driving straight on a two lane road, steering wheel suddenly locked, unable to regain control the car was locked in a turning position causing the vehicle to crash into a pole. Car is totaled. No rain, low speed and wasn't turning when it happened.
My vehicle was in motion on a city street. I went to make a turn because of a curve and my steering wheel and brake would not work. My emergency brake system (which is suppose to stop my vehicle before impact, did not deploy. I ran straight into a stone wall and fence. I received a recall letter in the mail about the back sensor, but my sensors were working up until my accident. My vehicle was deemed totalled. It was not raining, I was not speeding, and when the police came out to do an investigation, they could only determine that it was a mechanical problem. Why did the sensor not work? Why didn't my cars emergency brake system not work? Now I'm having to get a new vehicle without even knowing why the safety systems put in place did not deploy. Thank god my son was not in the car and no one else was injured.
Related recalls (2)
Steering › Rack and pinion
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Altima vehicles. The bolts connecting the electronic power steering unit to the steering rack may loosen, resulting in a loss of steering control or steering lock-up.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Altima years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (859), 2013 (94), 2014 (58), 2015 (48) and 2008 (37) model years. Steering complaints make up 56% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for Nissan Altima steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 23V-882 (rack and pinion, Dec 21, 2023); 21V-138 (tie rod assembly, Mar 4, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Altima steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the column locking › anti-theft device (7 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (5).
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.