Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2022 | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2021 | 5 | 7% | 35,000 miles |
| 2020 | 5 | 3% | — |
| 2019 | 8 | 3% | 2,000 miles |
| 2018 | 4 | 2% | 94,000 miles |
| 2017 | 11 | 3% | 32,000 miles |
| 2016 | 12 | 2% | 65,000 miles |
| 2015 | 64 | 7% | 69,000 miles |
| 2014 | 132 | 12% | 100,000 miles |
| 2013 | 289 | 12% | 100,000 miles |
| 2012 | 17 | 4% | 30,000 miles |
| 2011 | 14 | 6% | 51,000 miles |
| 2010 | 31 | 8% | 77,000 miles |
| 2009 | 33 | 2% | 95,000 miles |
| 2008 | 16 | 2% | 85,000 miles |
| 2007 | 121 | 26% | 62,000 miles |
| 2006 | 18 | 2% | 90,000 miles |
| 2005 | 21 | 2% | 38,000 miles |
| 2004 | 10 | 4% | 40,000 miles |
| 2003 | 15 | 2% | 111,000 miles |
| 2002 | 14 | 1% | 60,000 miles |
| 2001 | 20 | 13% | 169,000 miles |
| 2000 | 6 | 4% | 130,000 miles |
| 1999 | 7 | 8% | 111,000 miles |
| 1998 | 9 | 7% | 142,000 miles |
| 1997 | 7 | 6% | 66,000 miles |
| 1996 | 4 | 4% | 85,000 miles |
| 1995 | 10 | 6% | 134,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud clicking sound coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with fractured front driver's and passenger's side axles. The contact was informed that the driver's and passenger's side axles needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,500.
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. …
I been having issues with my car stalling out and not wanting to start I got the spark plugs replaced by a mechanic and then my car starts over heating I have my car looked at by a mechanic again and I'm told the engine is corrupt by oil and the fuel pump is bad my car can be inspected for this issue as it is having a lot more issues due to the Nissan recalls but my vin doesn't cover it
on the seventeenth of march,2024 a 2019 nissan altimawith alittle over 25000 miles on the odo was backed from a garage and driven forward about 100 feet on dry,smooth pavement in a cul de sac when the right front wheel came loose . this caused the auto to veer right and sideswipe a vehicle parked at the curb.this altma has been driven by a woman in her eighties since new ,garaged nitely, washed weekly, and serviced as required. if this had happened at highway speeds it might have resulted serius injury or death.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while making right turns there was an abnormal clanking noise coming from the vehicle without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer and informed her that the axle was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle remained at the dealer and was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
For the transmission I was driving at normal speed in the freeway when out of no where the car started to jerk and lost power I almost got hit by the car behind me it was a traumatizing experience for me and my son I haven't gotten my car to get repaired because as a single mother it is very hard on me and with the suspension it had been making loud squeezing noise from my rear suspension and it has gotten worst now it's embarrassing to be driving my daughters father in law also had an Altima and it had the same suspension issues
When I first purchased the vehicle I did notice that the steering wheel felt loose but then I figured, it's a new vehicle that I have to get a custom to. This was in February 2020, it is August and I had two wheel balances done on the vehicle assuming that was the issue, however, the steering wheel continued to worsen and was out of control as I drove on the highway. I had to literally guide the steering wheel, holding it tightly, especially in turns. Now the steering wheel goes all around and is completely loose.I cannot drive in the highway it becomes worse for some reason. Also when I press the accelerator, it seems as the car goes ahead of me and I rock back a bit and the speed control arrow moves up and down in consistently. I also had to change the brakes about a month ago. This is a 2018 Nissan Altima. I received the vehicle at approximately 39000 miles. …
Related recalls (5)
Suspension
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque specifications. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2012.
Suspension
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Nissan altima sedan vehicles manufactured from April 25, 2011, through June 10, 2011 at the canton, mississippi plant. The transverse link bolt May not have been torqued to the proper specification.
Remedy: Nissan will replace the transverse link bolts and nuts and tighten them to the proper torque specification free of charge. The safety recall began on August 8, 2011. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Suspension
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 altima and maxima passenger cars. The upper front strut insulators May have been manufactured out of specification resulting in a potential for the strut insulator to crack.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners and dealers will replace both left and right side front strut insulators free of charge. The safety recall began October 2009. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-nissan1 (1-800-647-7261).
Suspension
Nissan is recalling 1,018 my 2008 altima vehicles. The left side front suspension transverse link bolt May not have been tightened to specification. This condition could cause the bolt to become loose while the vehicle is being driven.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the transverse link bolt to specification free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2008. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Suspension › Rear
On certain vehicles, the rear subframe May have been manufactured incorrectly, which could result in a crack in a bracket which holds part of the rear suspension.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe to determine if it was manufactured incorrectly and replace it, if necessary. The recall began on February 27, 2006. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA investigations
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
PE18-013 was opened on December 1, 2018, with 4 complaints to ODI alleging incidents of the lower control arm fracturing at a connection point to the vehicle chassis due to corrosion. ODI has received an additional 87 complaints since the PE was opened. During PE18-013, Nissan indicated model years 2013-2018 shared a common rear lower control arm design.
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
On July 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened EA19002 to investigate instances of alleged rear lower control arm failures in 2013-2018 Nissan Altima and 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima vehicles. At the time the investigation was opened ODI had 91 consumer complaints alleging rear lower control arm failures in the subject vehicles.ODI was concerned about these complaints because many of them alleged an…
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Altima years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (289), 2014 (132), 2007 (121), 2015 (64) and 2009 (33) model years. Suspension complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Nissan Altima suspension problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 12V-494 (suspension, Oct 10, 2012); 11V-371 (suspension, Jul 19, 2011); 09V-358 (suspension, Sep 16, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Altima suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles; 21% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rear (75 mentions), followed by the front (22).
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.