FaultScore

2015 Nissan Altima steering problems

49 of the 1,203 complaints about the 2015 Nissan Altima are about the steering — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 15,000 miles.

A

49

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Steering 48 98.0%
Hydraulic Power Assist System 1 2.0%

Steering across every Nissan Altima year

2002 16 1.2%
2003 13 1.0%
2004 11 0.8%
2005 31 2.4%
2006 16 1.2%
2007 17 1.3%
2008 37 2.8%
2009 862 65.8%
2010 20 1.5%
2011 12 0.9%
2012 16 1.2%
2013 96 7.3%
2014 58 4.4%
2015 49 3.7%
2016 16 1.2%
2017 16 1.2%
2018 12 0.9%
2020 13 1.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Chelsea, MI

STEERING

Upon entering highway and reaching 75 mph, vehicle pulled hard to right.I made a correction to keep vehicle in center lane of a three lane highway. Shortly after I made the first correction, the vehicle again pulled rather aggressively to the right, I again made a correction back to maintain center of lane. After making second correction, I noticed my steering wheel very off center to maintain vehicle tracking straight in the lane. (Steering wheel indicating a left turn to maintain a straight track). Simultaneously, the vehicle traction control indicator illuminated on the drivers display. I quickly checked my tire pressures to rule out a flat tire. I pulled off to the shoulder of the highway, as the vehicle was getting more difficult to control in a straight line. Not noticing any obvious damage and the need to vacate the highway environment, I illuminated my hazards and drove approximately 5-10 mph to the next exit 1/8 mile away. Arriving in a safe location, I again exited the vehicle to inspect all four wheels at which time I observed the right rear tire angled inward at a harsh angle. Upon further inspection, the right rear lower suspension control arm had broken free at the bushing and angled the coil spring downward at an angle. The vehicle was not able to be driven and subsequently towed via flatbed 45 miles to my auto repair facility.

NHTSA complaint #11592539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kirkville, NY

STEERING

Out of town and control arms went while turning a corner. My steering wheel was sideways and I was going straight. There was no warning, noises or dashboard lights prior to this happening. My vehicle has 130k but well maintained. Prior to this happening I was driving on the Thruway at 65mph, this could of broke then causing a potential accident or something worse. Why wasn't there any warning lights advising of this potential problem?

NHTSA complaint #11572585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oroville, CA

STEERING

This is my 3rd Altima. The first 2 were amazing. This 1 is not. I bought it used from Shift.com with 73k miles on it. About 6-8 months later I started feeling something wrong in the steering. The shop I took it too said the lower control arms were in the rear were corroded and the bushing were going bad. Tried to get it repaired thru the extended warranty I paid extra for but that was a nightmare and we ended fixing it ourselves. Something was still wrong. I put new tires on it, still wrong. Changed out the struts on front and shocks on rear, new control arms,, bushings, sway bar links, and tie rods. New brake pads and rotors. Then I bought custom wheels and another set of new tires for it. Took it and had an alignment done. The shop said everything looked good. Not long after it started drifting all over the road and I started hearing a whining noise. The next shop said the electric hydraulic power steering pump was going bad. Again the warranty company only allows the shop to call in and handle any repair claims and then they make them sit on hold forever. This is my only transportation and I can't wait for it to break in order for the warranty to repair it. In the meantime trying to figure out what to do the car is getting harder to drive straight down the road. I turned left thru an intersection and ran over the center median blowing out a tire. In 2 other occasions I hit my new wheels on the curb because the steering wheel has excessive play in it. We ended up changing the power steering unit without help from the warranty. After some research I had the lower steering shaft replaced also. The entire suspension has been replaced(front struts 2x) and it only has 115k miles on it. It's had 3 alignments in 2 years and yesterday the man at Les Schwab said the rack and pinion has some play in it. As well as the upper steering shaft needing to be replaced also. Oh and the CVT transmission is now leaking.

NHTSA complaint #11550664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brookfield, WI

STEERING

Please see this other report I filled out: 11526603. Thus far have paid about $1100 to get new, steering fluid, repair brakes, get a new battery, transmission fluid, and fuel injection service. They said this would fix the problem. The problem was not fixed. I took the car back again and they kept it several hours. Their higher level mechanic still couldn’t figure out a problem. Now, the car has a new weird noise. When I drove it this morning, it sounded like there was a motorcycle driving nearby, yet I couldn’t see one. Then I figured out, it was my own engine, making some extra noise. I’m going to try to get into a different mechanic tomorrow. God help me. So now two problems: steering and engine. I hope the car will make it to the mechanic.

NHTSA complaint #11528741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brookfield, WI

STEERING

My 2015 Nissan Altima started having some steering issues over the 2022-2023 winter. It seemed a bit stiff, but I thought it was from the snow tires I had just had placed. When it continued after change over in the spring to regular tires, I took it in and they said I had low power steering fluid. They replaced it for around $100 and it was working fine. they said there was no leak in the steering fluid, however. Since they replaced the steering fluid, (over the last month), the steering intermittently will completely go out for a few seconds the car will start pulling to the side, and I will have to crank on the wheel, and then it self resolves. I took it into Boucher Nissan in Waukesha, Wisconsin. They went over it for about an hour and they said they couldn’t find any problems. This is happened two times again over the last couple of weeks. It is also starting to sound like the engine is almost going to give out at times. I don’t know what to do because if it’s intermittent, how are they going to fix it? I could take it to another mechanic, but he may not find it either. I’m a bit scared to drive and driving slowly.

NHTSA complaint #11526603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Las Vegad, NV

STEERING

My car only has 36,400 miles. I went for an oil change at a third party garage and was told my front control arms are cracked and need to be replaced. I went to the dealer who confirmed this and also said there was a recall on the rear control arms. I have talked to numerous mechanics who said that the control arm should not be failing at 36,400 miles. I contacted Nissan asking them to help me with the cost of the front control arms since they are failing at such low mileage. They are not willing to do anything. I feel like the front should be replaced by the dealer.

NHTSA complaint #11515312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, GA

STEERING

The cruise control doesn’t work at all, then I’ve only had the car for always two years and the power steering is giving me issues. Also when I roll the window up or dwn the lights will flicker

NHTSA complaint #11491256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Galloway, NJ

STEERING

Hello, On October 15th, close to 5 pm, I was driving on a busy highway surrounded by other cars when suddenly, the hood of my 2015 Nissan Altima slammed into my windshield. There was damage to the hood, a cracked windshield, the left side wheel was pulling to the side, and there was damage done near the sunroof top of my car. The interior light box inside the car was hanging. My insurance was made aware of the incident. I am a 67-year-old woman. I and others on that highway could have lost our lives. Please get in touch with me asap about this horrific incident. Photos were taken of the damages.

NHTSA complaint #11489517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Los Angeles, CA

STEERING

Steering - Rack and Pinion Issues - Struts Leaking possible FACTORY DEFECT per Dealership. It is extremely unsafe to drive with a bad rack and pinion because you no longer can control your vehicle and keep it in a straight line. There would be so much free play and your vehicle would just wander on the road. This could be fatal for you and the other drivers. The problem was confirmed by the Dealers (Alhambra Nissan Dealership in California). There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

NHTSA complaint #11454693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lee Center, NY

STEERING

Took car in and asked Nissan dealer to inspect rear lower links as there was a creaking noise and had just received extended 10 year warranty from manufacturer on components. Said completely fine. 3 weeks later driving down the road heard a thump in back end and car became impossible to control even at less than 20 miles an hour causing it to fishtail from lane to lane. Took car back in for repair and passenger side lower link completely rusted and snapped. Drivers side was also completely corroded and upon removal was also cracked. This could not have happened in 3 weeks time if inspected and had nothing wrong. Dealer told me even though they were completely corroded, which was what the warranty stated, they could not repair until physically broken as per Nissan. Dealer has stated they have had others with issues similar to mine but manufacturer will not replace until physically broken, which then creates a serious hazard to cars occupants and others on the road. I do not feel the perimeters of this recall are at all safe, as if I had been on a major highway doing 65 with this vehicle a serious accident would have occurred.

NHTSA complaint #11451737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

St. Marys, Ga., GA

STEERING

2015 Nissan Altima power steering. 1. While driving the vehicle does not track steady. I constantly must correct as it sways on a straight road. 2. Periodically the steering goes out, the steering becomes stiff, it is an extreme safety issue to maintain control of the vehicle. Vehicle was take to a dealer for inspection the faulty power steering pump was confirmed, quoted $1800.00 including labor to replace. These issues occur without warning at any time. Proper fluid and fluid levels have been checked. The first occurrence of the steering becoming stiff was approximately January 2021. The swaying started probably about a month to two months earlier.

NHTSA complaint #11448130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

STEERING

The control arm broke due to rust. This happened while I was driving. I read that Nissan recalled 2013 and 2014 Altimas due to this exact same problem. My car is 2015 but experienced the same problem and it is very dangerous. The arm might have had a crack in addition to rust. I don’t know when the crack happened since I bought this car used. When I examined the break, the rust and crack have been there for a long time.

NHTSA complaint #11442494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Blountville, TN

STEERING

Twice now when I have gone to pull out my car has died on me with no warning.The first time was in Aug,2021 the next was in Sep or Oct 202. I have also noticed that when I'm driving and not accelerating (like going down a hill) then start accelerating the car will sputter like if it's not getting gas. It is really scary when it has died on me pulling out I've almost got hit by other vehicles.

NHTSA complaint #11437336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Taylorsville, UT

STEERING

UNKNOWN

NHTSA complaint #11431511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 19,000 miles Indianapolis,, IN

STEERING

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 mph and making a left turn, the vehicle shifted from power steering to manual steering mode making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle regained power steering functionality momentarily however, the failure recurred. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was made aware of the failure however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.

NHTSA complaint #11423112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 47,564 miles Hyde Park, MA

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME FIRM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOCH NISSAN (685 S WASHINGTON ST, NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, MA 02760) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE POWER STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND COVERED THE REPAIR COST FOR THE THIRD REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AFTER THE PREVIOUS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,564.

NHTSA complaint #11402585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,656 miles West Boylston, MA

STEERING

TL* 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 BERTERA NISSAN (569 OXFORD ST S, AUBURN, MA 01501, (508) 832-9611) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,656. THE CONSUMER STATED THE CAR WAS REPAIRED BY CRANSTON AUTO REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #11398888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

STEERING

WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT I WENT DOWN A STEEP RAMP AND THE RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM BROKE I PULLED OVER TO CHECK AND THE ARM LOOK RUSTED OUT.

NHTSA complaint #11364693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,443 miles Dallas, TX

STEERING

BOUGHT USED 2015 ALTIMA SV 13 DAYS AGO. BRAND NEW TIRES WERE PUT ON BEFORE I TOOK DELIVERY. THREE DAYS AGO, IT STARTED FEELING LIKE I HAVE A FLAT TIRE, DRAGGING THE RUBBER, PULLING, AND SWAYING FROM REAR WHEN I PARK. MPG IS TERRIBLE, TURNS ARE WIDER, VIBRATES IN STEERING WHEEL WHICH WORSENS AT HIGHER SPEEDS. CHECKED TIRES, SAW 9 .25 WEIGHTS ON PASS FRONT WHEEL, 2 .25 WEIGHTS ON PASS REAR WHEEL, DRIVER FRONT WHEEL HAS GLUE WITHOUT WEIGHTS, DRIVER REAR WHEEL, SAME THING. PASS REAR TIRE HAS 1/2 INCH SLOPE INSIDE ON TOP OF TREAD, LIKE IT'S SEPARATING. FEELS LIKE LOOSE SUSPENSION, WOBBLY AND OUT OF SOCKET. TIRE GUY SAYS BAD TIRE. DEALERSHIP SAYS I GOTTA PAY FOR ALIGNMENT. I JUST BOUGHT THE THING LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AGO, WITH EVERY PENNY TO MY NAME. DEALERSHIP SENT ME AWAY, UNTIL I HAVE MONEY IN MY ACCT TO ALIGN IT. I'M A DELIVERY DRIVER AND NEED TO BE SAFE, ESPECIALLY WITH COVID19, I'M AN ESSENTIAL DRIVER, MAKING DELIVERIES OF FOOD AND NECESSITIES TO STAY AT HOME ORDERED CIVILIANS, TO STOP THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS IN DFW, TEXAS, ORDERED BY JUDGE ABBOT, TO PROVIDE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. I WORK FOR SEVERAL COMPANIES, PROVIDING HOT MEALS, GROCERIES, MEDICINES, PERSONAL CARE, AND CLEANING SUPPLIES TO COLLEGE STUDENTS, RETIREMENT HOMES RESIDENTS, AND FAMILIES, WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THESE KEY SURVIVAL NECESSITIES WITHOUT THE WORK WE DO.

NHTSA complaint #11320373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,500 miles Suwanee, GU

STEERING

THE POWER STEERING SEEMS LIKE IT IS OBVIOUSLY MILDLY STIFF WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #11281427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 66,000 miles Broadview, IL

STEERING

TAKATA RECALL, DOESN'T ACCELERATE WHEN PETAL IS PRESSED BUT INSTEAD DELAYS FOR 3-5 SECONDS. THEN IT JERKS AND ACCELERATES QUICKLY

NHTSA complaint #11228774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Riverdale, GA

STEERING

TAKATA RECALL- THIS CAR IS THE WORST AND HORRIBLY BUILT. IF YOU SIT IN THE CAR IT LOOKS LIKE A NICE CAR BUT IF YOU TAKE A PEAK YOU WILL SEE HOW HORRIBLE IT IS. UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL YOU CAN SEE THE WIRES HANGING OUT. THE FUEL ON THE CAR IS DONE. WE ALWAYS GET THE CAR CHECKED AND IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FUEL. WHICH PROBABLY HAS TO DO WITH THE 2015 RECALL THAT WE WEREN'T PROPERLY NOTIFIED ABOUT. THE WINDOWS DO A WEIRD LOCK THING, WHERE SOMETIMES I THINK I'M UNLOCKING THE WINDOW AND THE DOOR AT THE SAME TIME. I HATE THAT WE INVESTED SO MUCH INTO THIS NISSAN AND IT'S PROBABLY THE WORST CAR EVER (AND IVE ONLY HAD NISSANS SINCE I WAS 16 SO THAT SAYS ALOT). WHEN YOUR DRIVING THE CAR JERKS LIKE IT WANTS TO SHUT OFF BUT WHEN WE TAKE IT ANYWHERE THEY DON'T SEE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS TRASH.

NHTSA complaint #11206771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles Logan, UT

STEERING

THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT IN OUR 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. I CAUSED A VERY HIGH PITCHED NOISE AND STEERING WAS AFFECTED.

NHTSA complaint #11203355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Santa ANA, CA

STEERING

TL* 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 AT A NEARBY FUEL STATION AND DROVE HOME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA complaint #11184337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,000 miles Palm Coast, FL

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED FROM RIGHT TO LEFT INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA complaint #10970055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reidsville, GA

STEERING

POWER STEERING LEAKS CONTIUOSLY.

NHTSA complaint #10968969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles Aurora, NY

STEERING

WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A TURN I RANDOMLY LOSE ALL POWER STEERING. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR. I AM A SECOND OWNER AND HAVE DRIVEN IT 4,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10958441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Overland Park, KS

STEERING

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2015 ALTIMA IS VERY HARD TO TURN. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP TWICE AND REPLACED THE FLUID AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS STILL VERY HARD TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT IS NOW ON AND I STILL CAN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION THAT NISSAN SHOULD RECALL AND REPAIR. THIS CAR HAS 5200 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. THE CAR ALSO HAS A VERY HIGH PITCHED WHINE NOISE THAT IS VERY ANNOYING. WE PREVIOUSLY OWNED TOYOTA CAMRYS AND I'D NISSAN DON'T TAKE CARE IF THIS PROBLEM I WILL NOT REFER THEM TO ANYBODY AND GO BACK TO TOYOTA.

NHTSA complaint #10918098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 19,000 miles Chicago, IL

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

NHTSA complaint #10916741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 19,000 miles Chicago, IL

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

NHTSA complaint #10916741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2015 Nissan Altima problems

← Full 2015 Nissan Altima report