497 of the 20,238 complaints filed about the Nissan Altima are about the fuel system — 2% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2002.
497
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
19
Crashes
25
Fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Coolant leak not visible egr cooler and egr valve malfunction catalytic converter malfunction. Diagnosted at nissan a known issue with nissan make and model.
NHTSA complaint #11748154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
So I have the 2.5L QR25DE engine with the exact exhaust failure from campaign PC717, and I need Goodwill Assistance because the part failed identically.
NHTSA complaint #11742900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The CVT issue remains with this car even though I have complained. The car will randomly de accelerate and randomly accelerate which has cause minor fender bender. The car continue to studer and jerk and continues to show since of transmission issues. These cars need to be recalled before someone is seriously injured from the known CVT issues.
NHTSA complaint #11735472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I continuously have issues with it showing a crash and with the warning "engine malfunction, power reduced, service now" light coming on. This has been a recurring issue. There is always a light coming on in this car. I don't know if it is sensitive sensors or if it was poorly made.
NHTSA complaint #11733523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I am reporting a severe combined safety failure involving fuel delivery and electronic systems. Between 1:22 PM and 3:37 PM, documented evidence shows the vehicle's fuel range dropped by 37 miles while the odometer recorded only 6 actual miles driven—a 600% abnormal fuel consumption rate accompanied by excessive engine noise. The odometer also exhibited erratic behavior, reversing and then spiking while stationary. Additionally, the unit was provided with critically low tire pressure (26 PSI), which continued to drop while parked, indicating an active leak neglected by maintenance. Furthermore, there is a discrepancy in records: the VIN indicates a black vehicle, but the actual unit provided is white. These defects posed an immediate fire and road safety risk, causing significant psychological and physical distress (vertigo).
NHTSA complaint #11725685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Delayed gear change from 1st to 2nd/delayed acceleration 1-5 seconds mid-traffic because the car overheats soon after driving which causes the car to not properly accelerate causing more RPMs than necessary during longer drives with frequent stops (within urban/suburban areas).
NHTSA complaint #11720589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The transmission failed in my 2015 Nissan Altima. The check engine light is currently on due to a defective transmission. While I understand that Nissan extended the transmission warranty by two years or 24,000 miles following a class action lawsuit, I find this coverage completely unreasonable, insufficient and irresponsible, and most importantly unsafe. My vehicle has only 83,800 miles and has been well-maintained, yet the transmission still failed. While driving in the freeway in San Diego, the vehicle suddenly lost complete transmission engagement and power. My vehicle was almost rear ended by multiple cars. The check engine light appeared after the transmission failure. A Nissan dealer later confirmed the vehicle needs a new transmission. Nissan and NHTSA should have done a complete recall after the class action lawsuit against Nissan for putting faulty transmission on Altimas 2015.
NHTSA complaint #11719400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed the State Inspection because the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V251000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was contacted for recall completion and informed the contact that the recall was not applicable to the vehicle because the contact did not reside in the States listed in the recall. The contact stated that the vehicle registration could not be renewed due to the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, but no assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11712207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I've been having engine & engine cooling problems also fuel system how many car starting up etc.I've been having this problem around July
NHTSA complaint #11701876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On August 30, 2025, while driving on the highway, my 2019 Nissan Altima displayed a “CVT (AT) Hot / Power Reduced” warning. Power was limited, but the engine did not shut off. I immediately scheduled service at Paul Miller Nissan in Fairfield, CT. At the September 2, 2025 visit, the repair order stated: “Customer states CVT (AT) Hot Power Reduced display in dash. All past codes stored; cleared all past codes stored.” No complete diagnostic test, CVT pressure test, or fluid inspection was performed. The dealership did not preserve the freeze-frame data from the TCM. I was told that no current fault codes were present and that the vehicle was safe to operate. Relying on the dealership’s professional assurance, I continued normal use of the vehicle. About a couple of weeks later, the vehicle began to jerk and lose smooth acceleration intermittently, worsening by the sixth week. I promptly returned for service. On October 21–22, 2025, the same dealership confirmed transmission codes P0776 and P17F0, diagnosing a CVT failure and recommending full replacement. When questioned about prior diagnostic data, the service manager stated that all data from the September visit had been cleared and that the freeze-frame information was deleted and no longer available. This handling contradicts Nissan’s standard CVT diagnostic protocol, which requires documenting stored codes, inspecting CVT fluid condition, and recording internal temperatures before clearing data. Nissan Consumer Affairs later stated their review relied solely on the dealership’s findings and that missing diagnostic data would not be retrieved. Since the confirmed failure, I have been forced to rent a vehicle at my own expense, exceeding $1000 to date. The vehicle’s reduced power and transmission failure created a serious safety risk, especially as I transport my children in this vehicle. The dealership’s erasure of diagnostic evidence prevented accurate evaluation and timely repair. The issue remains unresolved.
NHTSA complaint #11698682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine overheated and hot air came out of the vents, entering the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the coolant reservoir needed to be refilled. The dealer refilled the coolant reservoir. The failure persisted, and the vehicle was returned to the dealer, who then diagnosed that the radiator thermostat had failed. The thermostat was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred approximately 3 weeks after the repair. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the engine started to overheat, and the temperature gauge moved to "High". The vehicle stalled while on the side of the road and waited for approximately 30 minutes before being able to restart and drive to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the engine and failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact found information on NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V316000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 18V922000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #11695388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I GET ERROR MESSAGE FOR MY 2019 NISSAN ALTIMA OF ENGINE MALFUNCTION, REDUCE POWER, SERVICE NOW. ALONG WITH OTHER SAFTY FEATURES LIKE CASH DETECTION, TRACTION AND ENGINE LIGHT. MY CAR SHAKES, FEELS LIKE IT WILL STALL ESPECIALLY WHEN STOPPED AND JERKS. MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW THIS RECALL. I HAVE GOTTEN THIS MESSAGE SEVERAL TIMES AND A OBD CODE READER GIVES CODE P0404.
NHTSA complaint #11693179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have replaced the water pump, the belt, the thermostats, the rotors, the brakes, the fuel pump, the evap vent valve solenoid, the spark plugs, and fuel injectors and my car is STILL throwing the codes P-0462 and P-447. I've checked the wires and they are good. My car keeps misfiring and stalling now and my fuel pump doesn't have a fuel level sensor. The float bar is brand new as well as the fuel pump. And my dashboard speedometer is 10 miles off. I've tried everything and it's still throwing the same codes.
NHTSA complaint #11692456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I been having issues with my car stalling out and not wanting to start I got the spark plugs replaced by a mechanic and then my car starts over heating I have my car looked at by a mechanic again and I’m told the engine is corrupt by oil and the fuel pump is bad my car can be inspected for this issue as it is having a lot more issues due to the Nissan recalls but my vin doesn’t cover it
NHTSA complaint #11684292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel System: Car hesitates and cut off after pumping fuel.\n' + 'Outer Tie rods torn rubber, vehicle never been realigned, but tires were worn on both front sides. \n' + 'Takata Air bag light has been on for over 2 years.\n' + 'Transmission over heats. Engine cuts back between 45 and 60 mph on the freeway. So we stop and allow it to cool off.
NHTSA complaint #11682483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have a 2016 Nissan Altima 3.5 Sr I brought into the Nissan dealership multiple times since 2022 now in 2025 at 100,000 miles to transmission is not working it's dying at intersections and oil is pouring out of the engine I was told that there was a recall that expired in April of 2023 however I was never notified about the recall despite taking my car to the Nissan dealership prior to that date no one ever said that there was a problem with the CVT I've stored my car multiple years because I'm a veteran and I had to deploy so it wasn't driven as much and now that's crossed 100,000 miles it's on its last leg this isn't fair the 2019 models are getting recalled they should fix mine I've taken care of this car and now they're trying to deny me my mobility I'm a retiree I don't have that much money the last time I took it to the dealership they said I needed a new engine never once mentioning that there were previous recalls on this vehicle. I need help.
NHTSA complaint #11675466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor inside the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V112000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 146,000.
NHTSA complaint #11672788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the fuel gauge indicated that there was no fuel in the fuel tank. The contact drove to the gas station and refueled; however, the fuel gauge failed to provide the fuel level inside the fuel tank. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Parts store to have the vehicle diagnosed. The employee retrieved a diagnostic trouble code related to a fuel level sensor failure. The contact was informed that the sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
NHTSA complaint #11670504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I’ve had to replace the break sensor a few times and it’s unusual… My check engine light came on and it reads the code for the catalyst converter.., the auto part store saw a recall on this for my make and model but not seeing it here . The code was cleared and hasn’t came back on yet but I’m anticipating it will .. these two issues need to be further looked into please
NHTSA complaint #11664048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
After driving over a hour or so the rpm will stick at 3 and the mph will not go over 60. The car occasionally lose power as well. I have already had the throttle body and the alternator recently done.
NHTSA complaint #11653120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.