36 of the 166 complaints filed about the Nissan Altima Hybrid are about the electrical system — 22% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2009.
36
Complaints
22%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID HAS CEASED TO FUNCTION SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, PUTTING ME AT EXTREME DANGER. IN THE FIRST CASED, THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER UNIT WAS THE DEFECTIVE PART, ON THE SECOND OCCASION, IT WAS THE IGNITION COILS. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, PLACING ME AT GREAT RISK AS THE VEHICLE SEIZES UP WITHOUT WARNING AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11203424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID RECALL - TOYOTA HYBRID PRIUS SYSTEM WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER TWO HYBRID SYSTEM RECALLS USED BY NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRIDS 2007-2011. MY VEHICLE UNEXPECTLY AND SUDDENLY LOSS ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, NO WARNING LIGHTS OR PRIOR MECHANICAL ISSUES PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED TO THE ENGINE WIRING HARDNESS WHICH CONNECTS TO THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (HYBRID COMPUTER)AND DAMAGED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPONENTS (ECU, COILS, AND AUXILARY BATTERY. OPEN NISSAN CASE NUMBER [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11138989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS ON MY WAY TO PICKUP MY WIFE AND THE FOR SONE REASON THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOCKED . I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS A MISTAKE OR SOMETHING GOT STUCK IN THE CAR. I PRESS ON THE BUTTON TO START ,NOTHING AND TRY TO TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL ,STILL NOTHING. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND BACK IN ,NOTHING ,SO I DID THIS FOR 30 MINUTES UNTIL FINALLY GAVE UP. I HAD TO RUSH TO GET OUR OTHER CAR TO PICK HER UP. LUCKILY, TRAFFIC WAS OKAY. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN TO SEE IF THEY CAN DO ANYTHING ,STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM. I CONTACTED THEM AT THIS SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE PARKING LOT OF OUR APARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10953781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID'S ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK ('ESCL') FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THIS FAILURE ACTIVATES VEHICLE'S ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AND COMPLETELY DISABLES THE IGNITION, RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. IT COULD HAPPEN ANYWHERE AND ANYTIME WITHOUT A WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10939646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KEY UNLOCKED CAR BUT NO DISPLAY, START BUTTON NOT WORKING (NO RESPONSE AT ALL). CAR UNABLE TO BE STARTED, TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC. DIAGNOSTICS RUN, FOUND OUT IT WAS A STEERING COLUMN LOCK ISSUE THAT CAN ONLY BE FIXED BY NISSAN!! SO TOWED OVER THERE. NOW A 1 WEEK WAIT EVEN TO BE LOOKED AT AND PART NOT EVEN IN STOCK.
NHTSA complaint #10934937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CAR WAS PARKED AND OFF, AND HAD BEEN WORKING FINE WHEN I PARKED IT ABOUT 8 HOURS EARLIER. IT WAS PARKED INDOORS IN A GARAGE ON A WARM FALL DAY, SO EXTREME TEMPERATURES AND WEATHER WERE NOT PRESENT. THE PARKING SPOT AND LOCATION WERE UNREMARKABLE (I WAS PARKED AT WORK, WHICH IS SAFE AND NO ONE WOULD HAVE TAMPERED WITH THE CAR). AFTER 7 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEM WITH THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION SWITCH, IT SUDDENLY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THEY KEY CONTINUED TO WORK WITH THE DOORS AND TRUNK, AND THE CAR BATTERY WAS FINE. IT WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE KEY WHEN PLACED INTO THE EMERGENCY IGNITION SLOT, EITHER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE LOCK STEERING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR A PARTS COST OF $678 AND LABOR OF $303. I LOOKED ONLINE, AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER NISSAN OWNERS WITH CARS MADE AROUND THIS TIME FRAME WITH IDENTICAL ISSUE AND FIX. IT SOUNDS LIKE A SERIAL DEFECT TO ME, AND I BELIEVE NISSAN SHOULD BEAR THE COST.
NHTSA complaint #10924088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WAS TOLD CAR NEEDED NEW HYBRID BATTERY, HAD REPLACED, NEXT TOLD INVERTER NEEDED REPLACING, CAR STILL NOT WORKING. NISSAN ENGINEER HAS NOW LOOKED AT CAR TWICE, LAST TIME 10/26 AND STILL WAITING TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. VEHICLE STOPPED STARTING ORIGINALLY AND WAS TOLD HYBRID BATTERY PACK.
NHTSA complaint #10919882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOSES STRENGTH AND BEGINS TO DRIVE SLOW, I RAN ONE BLOCK UNTIL IT WENT OUT COMPLETELY AND NOT TURN ON AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10916558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME, IT WOULD NOT START DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STARTED AND WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE DEFECTIVE SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10915281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE NISSAN ALTIMAS AND MAXIMAS HAVE A FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (FACTORY PART #48700-9N00B & 48700-9N00A). WHICH WILL FAIL AND YOUR CAR WILL NOT START. THIS SHOULD BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WHICH RENDERS THE CAR NON-DRIVABLE. ALSO THIS PART WAS ONLY ON THE 07-11 ALTIMAS AND 09-10 MAXIMAS. ALL THIS PART IS A LITTLE LOCK ACTUATOR THAT MOVES UP AND DOWN AND UNLOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL, THEN INFORMS TO VEHICLE TO START THE CAR. SO IF THIS FAILS WHEN YOU PUSH THE START BUTTON ON THE VEHICLE THE CAR WILL NOT START. NISSAN KNOWS THAT IT IS AN COMMON ISSUE, EVEN THEIR SERVICE TECHS INFORMED ME IT IS A ISSUE. UNFORTUNATELY THEY WOULD RATHER CHARGE THE CUSTOMER $680 FOR THE PART ANOTHER COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS IN LABOR. THIS ROUGHLY A $1000 REPAIR AND INSTEAD OF NISSAN TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FAULTY PART, THEY ARE PASSING THE COST OVER TO THEIR CONSUMERS.
NHTSA complaint #10854893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND "KEYLESS INTELLIGENCE" DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
NHTSA complaint #10823138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.
NHTSA complaint #10782528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS 50 MILES AWAY FROM HOME, WHEN I GO TO START MY CAR IT WILL NOT START AT ALL! MY KEY WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK MY CAR BUT IT WOULDN'T TURN ON. INITIALLY I THOUGHT IT WAS THE KEY, I HAD MY SISTER DROP OFF MY SPARE TO SEE IF THAT WAS THE CASE, IT WASN'T. COME TO FIND OUT THE ESCL SEEMS TO BE FAULTY AND IS PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING UP. RIGHT NOW I'M WAITING ON THE DEALER TO TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON, BEWARE NISSAN KNOWS ALL ABOUT THIS BUT IS REFUSING TO DO A RECALL!
NHTSA complaint #10714521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH, CAR GAVE SHRIEK WARNING BEACON, WITH ALL INDICATORS LIT UP & ABRUPTLY CAME TO A HALT. IN THIS INCIDENT CAR LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. HENCE I WAS ONLY ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR VIA MECHANICAL KNOB AND RUN TO THE SHOULDER TO SAVE MY LIFE. CAR HAS TO BE TOWED FROM FREEWAY TO A MECHANIC SHOP IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. MECHANIC FOUND THE BATTERY FUSE BEING MELTED & RECOMMENDED ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. UPON DIAGNOSIS, DEALER CONFIRMS THAT MAIN WIRING HARNESS THAT GOES FROM THE ENGINE THROUGH THE VEHICLE TO THE EV BATTERY THAT IS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE IS SHORTING OUT DUE TO THE WIRE BEING MELTED/HARNESS BEING MELTED CAUSING A RESISTANCE WITHIN THE CABLE & HENCE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL & LOSE ALL POWER. THIS IS SIMILAR TO ANOTHER COMPLAINT FILED ON NHTSA WITH ID NUMBER : 10560398 THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED FOR PAST 7 YEARS WITH ALL MAJOR & MINOR MILESTONE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP. LOOKS LIKE CHECKING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS OF THE CAR WAS NOT PART OF NISSAN'S RECOMMENDED PLAN. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECOMMENDATION FROM DEALER DURING ANY OF MY MAINTENANCE VISIT ABOUT FAILURE IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE, DESPITE MY CAR ABRUPTLY CAME TO A HALT IN FREEWAY. BUT, NISSAN SHOULD CONSIDER RECALLING THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE AND INCLUDE CHECK FOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN THEIR RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE PLAN. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF A CAR IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT AS THE MECHANICAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR, WHICH NEEDS TO BE FREQUENTLY INSPECTED FOR ADEQUACY OF OPERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10705715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NISSAN DEALER IS SAYING I MUST REPLACE PART # 48700-9N00B, THIS SAME PART IS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE ALTIMA 2009-2012. CAN I GET A NEW VERSION OF THESE.
NHTSA complaint #10693178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE THE WIRELESS KEY, LEAVING ME STRANDED. IT WAS SEVEN DEGREES IN CHICAGO AND THE WINDCHILL WAS BELOW ZERO, BUT I WAS ABLE TO RETURN HOME TAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS HAD OCCURRED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I TOWED THE CAR TO A DEALER, WHO TOLD ME THAT THE "STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY" HAD FAILED, BUT THEY COULD FIX IT FOR $1170 PLUS TAX. I FOUND THAT THERE USED TO BE A SPECIAL WARRANTY IF THIS PART FAILED, BUT NISSAN HAD PUT A TIME LIMIT ON IT SO THAT CARS WHERE THE DEFECT SHOWED UP WERE BEING DENIED COVERAGE AS EARLY AS OCTOBER OF 2014. NISSAN INSISTS THAT: (1) THIS DEFECT AFFECTS FEW CARS, SO THEY ISSUED A SPECIAL WARRANTY RATHER THAN A RECALL, (2) THE DEFECT DOES NOT HAVE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS, AND (3) CUSTOMERS ARE ADEQUATELY COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. I BELIEVE ALL THREE STATEMENTS ARE KNOWINGLY FALSE. (1) THE DEALER WHERE MY CAR WAS REPAIRED TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE SEEING SIMILAR CASES MORE THAN ONCE A WEEK. MULTIPLY BY THE NUMBER OF SHOPS IN THE COUNTRY AND PRETTY SOON YOU HAVE THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES AFFECTED. THE NHTSA WEBSITE ALONE HAS HUNDREDS OF CASES REPORTED. (2) ASIDE FROM THE DANGER STEMMING FROM BEING STRANDED IN BAD WEATHER OR LOCATION, IF THIS PART FAILS WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING THE LIKELY RESULT IS A FAILURE OF THE STEERING AND TRANSMISSION LOCKS. A TRANSMISSION THAT DOES NOT LOCK CAN EASILY LEAD TO A CAR MOVING BY ITSELF IN AN INCLINE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. (3) ALMOST ALL AFFECTED CARS MANUFACTURED AFTER OCTOBER 2008 ARE BEING DENIED COVERAGE. THE OWNERS WERE TOLD IN WRITING TO WAIT UNTIL THE DEFECT OCCURRED, AND THEN THE PROBLEM WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY NISSAN. THIS DOES NOT LOOK LIKE TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE SOLUTION: ASK NISSAN TO ISSUE AN OUTRIGHT RECALL OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART. THE SAFETY OF THOUSANDS IS AT STAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10692565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR ACTUATORS STOPPED WORKING ON MY NISSAN WHEN I USE MY FOB OR THE DOOR BUTTON TO OPEN. I PRESS THE BUTTON AND THE DOOR LOCKS WILL ONLY MOVE PART OF THE WAY, BUT WILL NOT FULLY LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOOR. I HAVE TO PUT THE PHYSICAL KEY INTO THE LOCK AND TWIST TO OPEN THE DOOR. I KNOW THIS IS MY DOOR ACTUATORS BECAUSE THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED 4 MONTHS AGO TO MY REAR TWO DOORS. I REPLACED THEM AND THE DOORS WORK IN THE REAR NOW, BUT I BELIEVE THE ORIGINAL PARTS ARE FAULTY AND THAT IS WHY THEY ARE GOING OUT IN THE FRONT. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE THEM IN A 5 YEAR OLD CAR. I AM A YOUNG WOMAN LIVING IN AN URBAN AREA AND REQUIRE SWIFT ENTRY IN AND OUT OF MY VEHICLE TO REMAIN SAFE. THIS IS WHY I REQUIRE USE OF MY FOB.
NHTSA complaint #10648680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR LOST POWER SUDDENLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP. NISSAN ENDED UP REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION AND THE INVERTER ON THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10611119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I AM WRITING TO REPORT A VEHICLE ENGINE FIRE WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP INVOLVING MY WIFE'S 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID AT THE INTERSECTION OF RTE 231 & I-495 SERVICE RD (E/B) IN SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY. NISSAN WAS CONTACTED, AS WELL AS MY INSURANCE CARRIER, MET LIFE, AND OTH SENT INDEPENDENT ARSON INVESTIGATORS TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AND IDENTIFY A CAUSE/ORIGIN OF THE SPONTANEOUS IGNITION WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. MET LIFE'S INVESTIGATOR FOUND NOTHING POINTING TO THE MAINTENANCE OR OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO THIS SPONTANEOUS IGNITION. NISSAN SENT THEIR INVESTIGATOR, WHOM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR, IDENTIFIED THE COMPONENT FAILURE AS A WIIRNG HARNESS NEAR OR ASSOCIATED WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. NISSAN HAS CONTACTED ME STATING THEY "....CONDUCTED A DETAILED INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF PRODUCT PROBLEM, FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCIDENT". IF THE INSURANCE CARRIER ...WHICH PAID ME....ABSOLVED THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION AS CAUSATION OF IGNITION (AND THEY HAVE A REASON TO FIND MY MAINTENANCE OR OPERATION AT FAULT TO ABSOLVE THEM FINANCIALLY) AND IDENTIFIED A WRINING COMPONENT/SYSTEM AS THE CAUSE/ORIGIN OF THE IGNITION, HOW CAN NISSAN SO BLATANTLY ABSOLVE THEMSELVES FROM ANY LIABILITY?? THERE IS NO MAINTENENACE RECOMMENDED WITH THIS SYSTEM OR COMPONENT, AND AS SUCH IS AN IMPLIED WARRANTY BY NISSAN. I AM NOW IN DEBT HAVING TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE WHICH IS CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN WHAT THE INSURANCE BOOK VALUE OF THE DESTROYED ALTIMA (BURNED UP AT A COMPLETE STOP!). MY WIFE ALMOST WAS TRAPPED IN THE INFERNO. NISSAN IS ACCEPTING NO LIABILITY, PRODUCT WARRANTY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE ASAP AS EVERY NISSAN OWNER IS POTENTIALLY AT RISK! THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10585064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE AT A FULL STOP AT A RED LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION OF I-495 (EXIT 51 E) AND RT 231 IN SUFFOLK, NEW YORK, MY WIFE'S 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID, WHILE IN ELECTRIC HYBRID MODE, EXPERIENCED SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH OCCURRED MARCH 8, 2014 AND IGNITED WITH VISIBLE SPARKS REPORTED BY EYEWITNESSES UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO COMBUSTION. AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS AT A FULL AND COMPLETE STOP AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. FORTUNATELY MY WIFE NARROWLY ESCAPED SERIOUS INJURY OR WORSE......WITH NO VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATION/ANOMALIES WHICH WOULD WARN HER OF THE IMPENDING DANGEROUS VEHICLE IGNITION. NISSAN AND METLIFE, MY INSURANCE CARRIER, ARE INVESTIGATING BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT IS IN BOTH PARTIES INTERESTS TO BLAME THE OTHER....WITH ME AS THE INNOCENT VICTIM CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE. MY FEAR IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IS AT THE ROOT CAUSE AND OTHER UNSUSPECTING POTENTIAL VICTIMS ARE OPERATING THESE VEHICLES. PLEASE INTERVENE AND INQUIRE AS TO THIS PRODUCT'S OBVIOUS FALWED DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE BEFOR FATALITIES OR SERIOUS INJURIES ARE INFLICTED ON UNKNOWNING CONSUMERS. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10575240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.