KnownCarProblems2015 Nissan Altima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 955 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Nissan Altima, most often about the lights (28% of complaints, typically around 68,000 miles). It is 7th of 27 Altima model years by number of complaints and has 10 recalls.
Most common 2015 Nissan Altima problems
Lights
270 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
Headlights are extremely dim. I got pulled over twice because my headlights were to din or appear to be off. I have replaced the bulbs but it remained the same. This needs to be recalled immediately because it a safety issue when driving in the rain and at night. I drive a lot at night and I have to use my high beam…
I am told at the Nissan dealer that they know that the projection lens on the headlights only last about 2 years and then the customer must spend about $1200 to replace the headlight assemblys. The dim headlights are so dim, on unlit roads, you must run the brights at all times in order to see the road and the curb.…
Air bags
177 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 30,500 miles. Parts named most often: sensor, srs malfunction warning lamp/light.
When an adult passenger (my wife) rides in the passenger seat, the airbag off light comes on. She weights 107. Nissan has looked at it and says no problem found.the light comes on when the vehicle is moving and when stopped. This means that my wife does not have a working airbag in the event of an accident.
2015 Nissan Altima was involved in an accident on 12 june 2017. While traveling on interstate, approximately 70 MPH traffic came to a complete and sudden stop.the front of the vehicle sustained major damage to the front of the vehicle. The front was crushed back about a foot. None of the airbags deployed in this…
Transmission
161 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 61,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Has a hesitation on take off, like it does not move when you push the accelerator. A very bad dead spot. Makes it very dangerous to get on the highway or standing by a stoplight. This has happened when we stop at a stoplight, the car won't move forward
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 30 MPH uphill, the vehicle independently rolled backwards. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to Nissan world (146 US-22, springfield township, nj 07081), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not…
Other or unspecified
93 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles.
Headlight low beams are dangerously dim. Can barely see the road. When there is a car behind, lights are so dim that a shadow is cast in fromt of the car. Attempted new halogen and LED bulbs with no success.
Low beam headlights are very dim. Honestly I can't remember if they were ever good when I bought the car bran new. No matter what light bulb I put in there doesn't make a difference they are dim.
Engine
66 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.
I have had problems with my brakes, they sqiuk all the time. The engine light come on and I was told that I had to replace the mass air flow senser my car is only a 2015. This is not right.
When temperatures are 15 degrees, or lower the engine makes a loud rumbling and knocking noise when started up. The colder it is the louder and longer it last. Generally it takes 5-10+ minutes before it quiets down. Second issue is; regardless of temperature, when accelerating on a grade it also makes a rumbling…
Suspension
64 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: front.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel was wobbly. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the rear control arm was rusted. The low-pressure tire warning light was illuminated. The vehcile was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called…
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that during a routine oil change at the napoli Nissan dealer located at 688 bridgeport ave, milford, ct 06460, the technician diagnosed that the front lower control arm needed to be replaced and that there was no recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of…
Body and structure
63 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 56,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, interior panels.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. While driving 15 MPH, the plastic clasp that held the steering wheel became loose. The clasp fractured the floorboard and water leaked into the driver's side of the vehicle due to the rain. The contact's legs and feet became soaked. The contact dried off the inside of the vehicle…
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the driverâs side sun visor would independently lower, causing a visibility hazard. The contact initially spoke with the dealer who referred him to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was then notified and…
Electrical
56 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the side mirrors adjuster switch was no longer operable. The contact stated that the passenger's side headlight was inoperable. The contact stated that her husband was an independent mechanic, and he replaced the passenger's side headlight bulb. The…
Push button start doesn't work due to faulty steering wheel lock system. Car will not start unless I use remote start, open and close door then hit brake.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2015 Nissan Altima recalls
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, a warning label near the secondary hood latch, and an ownerâs manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed june 30, 2021. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: recall 16v-029 remains open for any unremedied 2013-2015 altimas and this recall applies to all vehicles covered by 16v-029 even if those repairs have already been performed.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2018 nissan altima vehicles. If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.
Body and structure: escape/egress/exit
Risk: If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will secure the latch-lock cables in the correct position using the new remedy procedure, free of charge. The recall began february 5, 2019. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7669.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 altima vehicles, previously remedied under recall number 17v-040. The door latch-lock cable may not have been routed properly in the rear door when the remedy was applied. As a result, the cable may interfere with the window regulator causing the rear passenger door to unlatch and inadvertently open without warning when the window is lowered.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will correct the rear door latch/lock cable routing, free of charge. The recall began on february 16, 2017. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 altima vehicles. The rear door latch/lock cable on the vehicles may have been improperly routed. As a result, lowering a rear window may inadvertently cause that door to unlatch and open.
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ecu and update the ocs software free of charge. The recall began february 13, 2017. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 altima vehicles manufactured january 3, 2013, to july 29, 2013, 2015-2016 rogue vehicles manufactured october 14, 2014, to august 12, 2016, and 2016 maxima vehicles manufactured june 4, 2015, to august 19, 2015. An incorrect occupant classification system (ocs) electronic control unit (ecu) may have been installed in the front passenger seat. The incorrect ecu and seat combination may misclassify the front passenger seat occupant.
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet city express owners will be notified by general motors. Dealers will reprogram the air bag control unit (acu) and ocs electronic control unit (ecu) in altima, maxima, murano, rogue, and sentra vehicles, and replace the ocs ecu in leaf, nv200, nv200 taxi, pathfinder, infiniti q50, jx35, and qx60 and chevrolet city express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on may 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, infiniti customer ser
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 nissan maxima, 2013-2016 nissan altima, nv200, leaf, sentra, and pathfinder, 2014-2016 nissan nv200 taxi, infiniti qx60, qx60 hybrid, and q50 hybrid, 2014-2017 nissan rogue and infiniti q50, 2015-2016 nissan murano, murano hybrid, and chevrolet city express, 2014-2015 nissan pathfinder hybrid, and 2013 infiniti jx35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger occupant classification system (ocs) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: These vehicles were previously included in recalls 14v-565 and 15v-116, however the previous remedy plan may not have been performed consistently to remove the safety risk. To correct this issue, nissan will re-notify all affected owners and dealers will replace the hood latch with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on february 17, 2016. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: this recall supersedes recalls 14v-565 and 15v-116.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 nissan altima vehicles manufactured march 6, 2012, to december 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Brakes: caliper
Risk: If the bolts were not properly tightened, the caliper may detach and reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will check the brake caliper mounting bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on december 14, 2015. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain model year 2015 altima and 2016 maxima vehicles manufactured october 6, 2015, to october 7, 2015. The affected vehicles have front brake calipers whose mounting bolts may not be properly tightened.
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: If the ocs does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the ocs software, free of charge. The recall began on november 30, 2015. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 altima and pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 nissan sentra vehicles, 2013 infiniti jx35 vehicles, 2014-2015 infiniti qx60 vehicles and 2014 infiniti qx60 hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (ocs) control unit during a repair. These ocs control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit. The recall began on september 28, 2015. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) notified the agency on july 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 nissan maxima vehicles manufactured february 10, 2015, to august 18, 2015. On october 14, 2015, nissan expanded the recall to cover an additional 41,388 vehicles, including certain model year 2013-2015 altima 3.5 vehicles equipped with a v6 engine manufactured march 30, 2012, to august 18, 2015 as well as the vehicles covered by the july 31, 2015 notification. In the affected vehicles, due to an improperly installed o-ring that may not have been seated correctly at the time of assembly, fuel may leak during a crash from the area where the fuel sending unit attaches to the fuel tank.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will be instructed to modify the bend angle of the hood actuation lever to eliminate potential interference with the hood inner panel. In addition, dealers will clean and lubricate the latch joint as needed. If significant corrosion is observed, the latch assembly will be replaced. This repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began march 31, 2015. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: this recall is an expansion of recall 14v-565.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 nissan altima vehicles manufactured march 1, 2013, to december 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Rear suspension control arm failure
Summary
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 increased steering effort or loss of vehicle control.at the time these complaints were received, odi was also aware of a proactive service campaign addressing 2013 nissan altima in salt-belt states for a similar concern. Since opening the investigation, odi has confirmed, based on
Rear suspension control arm failure
Summary
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. Nissan provided complaint and warranty data regarding 48 incidents of the subject failure. The majority of the complaints are from vehicles registered in salt belt states. There have been no crashes, injuries, or fatalities confirmed as of this date. Nissan advised that it has conducted testing to assess safety risk. Nissan states that due t
Questions about the 2015 Nissan Altima
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Nissan Altima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: lights (270 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles); air bags (177 complaints, typically around 30,500 miles); transmission (161 complaints, typically around 61,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2015 Nissan Altima have?
- 10 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 28, 2020 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2015 a bad year for the Nissan Altima?
- It is 7th of 27 Altima model years by number of complaints, with 955 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.