Common problems

Nissan Altima Common Problems

We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 9 Nissan Altima model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.

Data updated June 2026

Owner complaints
741

9 model years

Top recurring issue
Unknown Or Other

8 affected years

Crash reports
69

Owner-reported severity signal

Fire reports
16

43 injuries · 1 deaths

Pattern overview

Most reported Nissan Altima problem categories

#1

Unknown Or Other

119complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 8 model years; highest in 2018.

#2

Electrical System

145complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 7 model years; highest in 2019.

#3

Service Brakes

49complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 5 model years; highest in 2019.

#4

Engine

44complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 4 model years; highest in 2019.

#5

Air Bags

40complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 4 model years; highest in 2018.

#6

Power Train

38complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 4 model years; highest in 2018.

#7

Steering

30complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2020.

#8

Forward Collision Avoidance

19complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2019.

#9

Visibility Wiper

14complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2019.

#10

Exterior Lighting

12complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2018.

What owners reported

Issue summaries by Nissan Altima model year

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2019 Nissan Altima frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving door lock actuators failing to respond to the key fob or interior controls. Complaints also highlight persistent problems with the check engine light, often linked to the Mass Air Flow Sensor and grille shutter actuator. Many owners describe erratic behavior of the radio and volume controls, as well as unexplained battery drainage, leading to multiple battery replacements. Mileage at the time of these issues varies, but several reports mention occurrences after a few years of ownership. Safety implications are noted, with three complaints involving crashes due to sensor failures, such as the Forward Collision Warning not engaging timely. These patterns suggest potential concerns for used car buyers, particularly regarding the reliability of the vehicle's electronic components.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2018 Nissan Altima frequently report issues with the backup camera and transmission. Complaints describe the backup camera intermittently going black or dim, impacting visibility while reversing. Transmission problems are characterized by loss of horsepower, shuddering, and hesitation to accelerate, often confirmed by diagnostic tests. These issues typically emerge around 60,000 miles. Additionally, several reports highlight malfunctions in the forward emergency braking system, with implications for safety as some complaints involve crashes and injuries. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring issues when considering this vehicle.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2018 Nissan Altima frequently report issues with the push start system, with many describing difficulty starting the vehicle despite pressing the brake pedal and using the push button, often requiring multiple attempts or assistance from the key fob. Complaints also commonly mention problems with door lock actuators, where doors fail to lock or unlock using the key fob or interior controls, sometimes requiring manual intervention. These issues are often reported at mileages around 40,000 to 63,000 miles. Additionally, one complaint involves a crash due to brake light switch failure, highlighting a potential safety concern. Used car buyers should be aware of these recurring electrical issues, particularly with the push start system and door locks, as they may impact vehicle operation and safety.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2020 Nissan Altima frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly with door lock actuators failing, which can prevent doors from locking or unlocking with the key fob or internal buttons. This problem is often mentioned as affecting multiple doors simultaneously and poses a safety concern if quick access to or exit from the vehicle is needed. Additionally, several complaints involve fires originating from electrical components, with some occurring while driving and others while parked, leading to significant vehicle damage. Reports of these issues span a range of mileages, with some occurring shortly after purchase. Safety implications are notable, with one injury reported and multiple instances of vehicles catching fire.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 6 fire, 1 injury reports

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2019 Nissan Altima frequently report issues with the infotainment system, including erratic volume control and system crashes, particularly when using Apple Carplay with Microsoft Teams. Complaints also mention engine-related problems, such as overheating and loss of power, with some reports indicating these occur around 39,000 miles. Several owners describe malfunctioning backup cameras and issues with door locks not responding to remote commands. Safety implications are noted in four crash reports, including incidents involving unintended movement due to a snapped gas pedal and unresolved recall-related engine failures. These patterns suggest potential reliability concerns for prospective buyers, particularly regarding electronic components and engine performance.

Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

AIR BAGS

Owners report frequent issues with the airbag system in the 2018 Nissan Altima, primarily involving the airbag warning light illuminating on the dashboard. Complaints frequently mention that this light either stays on or intermittently turns on and off, often linked to a defective driver or passenger seat airbag module. Multiple owners describe these issues occurring around 33,000 to 35,000 miles, with some reports indicating unresolved problems despite repeated dealer visits. Safety implications are highlighted in two crash incidents where airbags failed to deploy, resulting in potential injury. Buyers should be aware of potential high repair costs and delays in obtaining replacement parts, as noted in several complaints.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2020 Nissan Altima frequently report issues with door lock actuators, which fail prematurely and cause doors to remain locked or unlocked, posing a safety risk. Complaints also highlight problems with the backup camera, where the screen may turn pink, blue, or black, and display a static or pixilated image. Some owners mention engine concerns related to metal debris found during recall inspections, and there is a report of a fire resulting in injury. These issues often occur within the first few years of ownership, with some vehicles having less than 30,000 miles. Potential buyers should be aware of these reported problems, particularly regarding safety implications like fire hazards and compromised door locks.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports

STEERING

Owners of the 2020 Nissan Altima frequently report steering issues, with common symptoms including the steering wheel locking up and loss of power steering assist, sometimes accompanied by warning lights. Several complaints involve tie rod failures, leading to control loss and crashes, with some incidents resulting in injuries. These issues are often noted at various mileage points, ranging from as low as 2,000 miles to over 185,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as multiple crashes have occurred, highlighting potential risks for used car buyers.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports

Pre-purchase inspection

What to check on a used Nissan Altima

When problems are reported to begin

  • Back-over camera failures — 140–150 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • Electrical system failures — 13,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Tire sidewall defects — 5,000–20,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Electrical system failures — 2,000–10,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
  • Backup camera malfunctions — 8,000–10,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
  • Service brakes smoke — 55,000 miles on the 2022 model-year record
  • Air bags partial deployment — 5,000–6,000 miles on the 2022 model-year record
  • Electrical system failures — 17,000–42,500 miles on the 2021 model-year record

Buyer red flags

  • Inspect windshield for unexplained cracks
  • Test rear view camera for clarity and brightness at night
  • Verify back-over prevention camera image quality
  • Check airbag deployment system functionality
  • Ensure seats are securely attached and inspect for damage
  • Inspect for water intrusion and mold in trunk and cabin
  • Test backup camera for clarity and visibility in low light
  • Check for steering vibration or locking sensation during turns

How to interpret the counts

Complaint totals are not failure rates

A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.

Source trail

Where this Nissan Altima data comes from

VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Nissan Altima research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.

Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.

Buyer questions

Nissan Altima research FAQ

What is the most common Nissan Altima problem?

Unknown Or Other is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 8 years with 119 complaints represented.

Which Nissan Altima year has the most reported problems?

The 2018 has the largest unknown or other count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.

Do NHTSA complaints prove a Nissan Altima has a defect?

No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.

Check the actual car

Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.

Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Nissan Altima you are considering.