2015 Nissan Altima

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2015 Nissan Altima
BUILT 2026-08-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Altima Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2015 highlighted. 1993: 122 complaints 1993 1994: 106 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 123 complaints 1998 1999: 87 complaints 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2002: 1047 complaints 2003: 883 complaints 2003 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1091 complaints 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2008: 1028 complaints 2008 2009: 1547 complaints 2010: 380 complaints 2011: 241 complaints 2012: 423 complaints 2013: 2303 complaints 2013 2014: 1111 complaints 2015: 941 complaints 2015 2016: 544 complaints 2017: 382 complaints 2018: 223 complaints 2018 2019: 223 complaints 2020: 172 complaints 2021: 67 complaints 2022: 28 complaints 2023: 28 complaints 2023 2024: 39 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025
2015: 941 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1993122
1994106
1995180
199692
1997108
1998123
199987
2000160
2001159
20021047
2003883
2004276
20051091
2006824
2007471
20081028
20091547
2010380
2011241
2012423
20132303
20141111
2015941
2016544
2017382
2018223
2019223
2020172
202167
202228
202328
202439
20256

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 26%

26% of complaints: exterior lighting — 244 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
AIR BAGS 18%

18% of complaints: air bags — 170 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

AIRBAG Didn't Deploy. Seatbelt didn't hold I hit the steeling wheel injury my chest hit my head blood on the brain broke my foot. vehicle was total No

NHTSA ODI report, 20240115

I was on the 15 freeway going home and bent down to pick up something I dropped and hit the car that was stopped in front of me. What I remember is my glasses flying off and I hit my chest and head on the steering wheel and also broke my foot.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231229

TAKATA RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED IN AN ACCIDENT ON JANUARY 17, 2017. THROUGH THE FAULT OF THE DRIVER, EVEN THOUGH ALL OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF, THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR. CITIZENS HANOVER COMPANY HAD IT TOTALLED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171103

POWER TRAIN 17%

17% of complaints: power train — 158 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY WENT INTO REVERSE, ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150803

ENGINE 7%

7% of complaints: engine — 66 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

AT VERY LOW SPEED (AS IN SEARCHING FOR A PARKING SPACE) THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE, WITHOUT WARNING, AND THEN FALL BACK TO AN IDLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171101

SUSPENSION 6%

6% of complaints: suspension — 58 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

2015 — complaint volume: 941
R 20150331 — latches/locks/linkages

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

R 20150928 — fuel system, gasoline

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

R 20151130 — air bags

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

R 20151214 — service brakes, hydraulic

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2015 Altima and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured October 6, 2015, to October 7, 2015.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 15V733000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160217 — latches/locks/linkages

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

R 20160610 — air bags

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

R 20170213 — air bags

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

R 20170216 — latches/locks/linkages

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17V040000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20181201 — PE (closed 20190821)

Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure

R 20190205 — latches/locks/linkages, structure

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 18V915000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190729 — EA (closed 20250616)

Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure

R 20210630 — latches/locks/linkages

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 Owner’s Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the...

Campaign 20V315000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2015 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (244 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (170 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (158 reports on file for this year).
  • 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 15V733000 (service brakes, hydraulic) 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 17V040000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V915000 (latches/locks/linkages, structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V315000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2021 ▲ 1999

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2009 ■ 2014

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2015 Nissan Altima reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2015 Nissan Altima is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Nissan Altima?

The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2015 Nissan Altima have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.