2014 Nissan Altima
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 125 |
| 1994 | 113 |
| 1995 | 180 |
| 1996 | 92 |
| 1997 | 108 |
| 1998 | 123 |
| 1999 | 87 |
| 2000 | 160 |
| 2001 | 159 |
| 2002 | 1047 |
| 2003 | 883 |
| 2004 | 276 |
| 2005 | 1091 |
| 2006 | 824 |
| 2007 | 471 |
| 2008 | 1028 |
| 2009 | 1547 |
| 2010 | 380 |
| 2011 | 241 |
| 2012 | 425 |
| 2013 | 2308 |
| 2014 | 1113 |
| 2015 | 947 |
| 2016 | 552 |
| 2017 | 390 |
| 2018 | 225 |
| 2019 | 228 |
| 2020 | 178 |
| 2021 | 69 |
| 2022 | 30 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
27% of complaints: exterior lighting — 298 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights and bulbs.
CRASH19% of complaints: power train — 210 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift.
CRASH FIRE INJURY19% of complaints: air bags — 208 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front passenger and sensor/control module.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
AIRBAG EXPLOSION SPEWED OUT METAL SCRAPS. DRIVER RECEIVED A TRAMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN ADDITION PERMANENT SCAR ON LEFT WRIST SIZE , ONE INCH IN DIAMETER. STATE FARM , CLAIM NO# 03-5B01-095 DATE OF LOSS : 09/15/2014 VIN NO# 1N4AL3AP2EC[XXX].
NHTSA ODI report, 20180405
TAKATA RECALL WHILE STOPPED ON A BUSY STREET WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN, I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A LARGE SUV. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I SUFFERED SEVERE PAIN TO MY HEAD, NECK, SHOULDERS AND BACK.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171113
Also filed under STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASH INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A SEPARATED HIP.
NHTSA ODI report, 20131213
12% of complaints: suspension — 133 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing lower arm and wheel bearing.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
Rear lower control arm broke while driving on interstate car darted to the left but control was maintained
NHTSA ODI report, 20260809
Right rear lower control arm fully broke while traveling 35 mph and going around a curve. The car immediately pulled hard right into the adjacent lane. Fortunately, there were no vehicles in that lane at the moment.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260807
7% of complaints: engine — 77 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 14V138000 — check if this car was fixed
Occupant Classification System Failure
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 15V116000 — check if this car was fixed
Occupant Classification System Failure
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 15V486000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 15V681000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to December 31, 2014.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 16V029000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc.
Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors.
Campaign 16V244000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 16V911000 — check if this car was fixed
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
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.
Remedy: 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...
Campaign 20V315000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2014 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (298 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (210 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (208 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 14V138000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V116000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V486000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V681000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V029000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V244000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V911000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V315000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2014 Nissan Altima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2014 Nissan Altima is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Nissan Altima?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2014 Nissan Altima have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.