KnownCarProblems2021 Nissan Altima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 70 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Nissan Altima, most often about the driver assistance (31% of complaints). It is 22nd of 27 Altima model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2021 Nissan Altima problems
Driver assistance
22 complaints · 31%Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, warnings.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH in a rainstorm, the automatic emergency braking system warning light illuminated, however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact continued to drive and noticed that once they cleared the rainstorm the warning light…
Brakes
21 complaints · 30%The contact rented a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that it felt like the brakes were inoperable. The vehicle was then taken back to the rental car agency. The…
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the brakes independently activated, and the rear of the vehicle fishtailed. The contact stated an unknown warning light showing an image of the rear of the vehicle was briefly illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the driver's…
Electrical
21 complaints · 30%Parts named most often: instrument panel.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH in a rainstorm, the automatic emergency braking system warning light illuminated, however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact continued to drive and noticed that once they cleared the rainstorm the warning light…
Other or unspecified
12 complaints · 17%Steering
7 complaints · 10%Engine
7 complaints · 10%The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, there were abnormal sounds coming from the engine compartment. The contact inspected the vehicle and sent off an oil sample. The contact stated that a metal fragment was found in the engine oil. The…
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that after stopping at a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle went into limp mode. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was determined that there was…
Suspension
5 complaints · 7%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…
Backup camera
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: warnings.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while in reverse, the back over prevention camera malfunctioned and images were displayed distorted at times or black and blue, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Nissan Altima recalls
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed october 19, 2023. Owners may contact nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is r23c3.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 altima and 2020-2021 sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 111, "rear visibility."
Steering: tie rod assembly
Risk: A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is pc795.
Full defect summary
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.
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
Complete loss of motive power due to engine failure
Summary
On december 13, 2023, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe23-023 to investigate allegations of engine failures leading to loss of motive power in model year (my) 2021-2023 nissan rogue; my 2019-2021 nissan altima; and my 2019-2021 infiniti qx50 vehicles. At that time, odi had received 6 vehicle owner questionnaires (voq) and multiple early warning reports, with consumers reporting engine knocking noises accompanied by a loss of engine power while driving. The investigation identified bearing failures in certain vehicles equipped with the subject 3-cylinder 1.5l or 4-cylinder 2.0l variable compression turbo (vc-turbo) engines. Odi also identified early warning reports describin
Hertz/vehicles rented with open recalls
Summary
Nhtsa is opening this audit query to investigate whether the hertz corporation (hertz) has complied with the requirements of the national traffic and motor vehicle safety act (safety act). The safety act requires, among other things, that a rental company shall not rent a vehicle subject to a safety recall unless the recall remedy has been performed. 49 u.s.c. ⧠30120(I).NHTSA is in receipt of information that indicates hertz rented vehicles to customers without having performed required recall repairs. Accordingly, we are opening this audit query to seek additional information concerning this issue.
Questions about the 2021 Nissan Altima
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Nissan Altima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: driver assistance (22 complaints); brakes (21 complaints); electrical (21 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Altima have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 8, 2023 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Nissan Altima?
- It is 22nd of 27 Altima model years by number of complaints, with 70 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.