1,346 of the 20,238 complaints filed about the Nissan Altima are about the steering — 7% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2009.
1,346
Complaints
7%
Share of all complaints
56
Crashes
4
Fires
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I was driving home from the store like 4 blocks away and on the road there’s dip n the road you can’t avoid it so after i drive over it the airbag light comes on with hitting anything.
NHTSA complaint #11756382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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When I make a turn, I hear a clicking noise and also when I come to a complete stop, I can a sound that sounds like a grunting noise. I had new brakes, rotors and brand new tires put on in 2025. I think my ball joints and tie rod is defective. I have a triple AAA membership and I just renewed it in June and it said that my 2021 has two recalls. NHTSA # 23V628000 The back over prevention sensing system camera & NHTSA# 21V138000 Steering Linkage Tie Rod Assembly.
NHTSA complaint #11749536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The first code it threw was for the master air flow sensor then it started bogging out not going over 1RPM -throwing the code "P17F0 CVT Judder" and has left me in some really,really bad situations in traffic, and when it boggs down like that (no matter how many times I turn it off and restart it, even if the battery drains all the way out and I have to get a jump) I have to wait two hours after unhooking the battery and sit for an hour if not more before I can start it up and actually get down the rd. And it runs great like nothing was wrong it. But doesn't get far before doing it again
NHTSA complaint #11737698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Steering wheel module buttons are not working . / needs a sensor replaced - recalibration.
NHTSA complaint #11731802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. While attempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel was locked, preventing the remote start feature from functioning as designed. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #11711432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11695757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Just purchased a pre-owned 2024 Nissan Altima SR mileage 23637. Driving home from the dealership, steering wheel had intermittent vibration which continues to this day. Brought to dealership on September 3, 2025 and they were unable to duplicate problem at that time. Rescheduled new appointment to re-evaluate problem for September 11, 2025. Our safety is compromised by the strong possibility of the collapse of the steering wheel while driving as other recalled Altima cars in 2024 models. Trying to prevent a potential accident and loss of life. Respectfully, concerned driver
NHTSA complaint #11685504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Heard a loud pop noise from the rear of the car while backing up, steering was unstable while driving. Looked under the car and discover the right rear control arm is broken.
NHTSA complaint #11682658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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.
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Suspension and steering issues purchased many new tires throughout the yrs to find out it had suspension issues. There are 4 recalls listed on my insurance policy that describes exactly what's been wrong with my car since purchased. When calling nissan and checking your data base my vin # has never had any recalls for these issues but is obvious this make and model has been affected as well. Please look into this some more car is not safe and we were sold a lemon from day 1. Going back and forth to dealership lies and mechanics to find out it's always been a suspension issue I don't know the exact terms but suspension and some type of electric issue just as the recalls stated on my insurance policy description. Please advise or help Nissan make this right to keep our streets and cars safe while on the road. I need to gather all documents from places I've gone in for these very same issues of recalls shown. Financially this has been a burden investing in a used car to just have to fix right away with these same exact issues of recalls listed but to say our vehicle was not affected by those recalls is ridiculous it's obvious I been dealing with the same exact issues. Please help. Thank you for listening and hopefully you can help make a difference with this safety issue. I bought the car during covid year and been having issues since then but today's date on incident because I'm not sure of an exact date 4-5 yrs ago when issues started. Dealership lied to us I'm sure they were experiencing same issues with suspension that lead to issues with steering wheel control arms into motor mounts and tires getting bald fast and always having to change out front tires not straight or balanced out of control all the time.
NHTSA complaint #11681830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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While driving, the Altima’s rear control arm and suspension links broke due to corrosion resulting in loss of safe control of the vehicle. Nissan is aware that this is a problem with this year and make vehicle. They issued an extension of the warranty for this issue. This should be a mandatory recall for safety concerns, not simply a warranty extension. This is a very dangerous issue that can lead to serious injury! Very upset that money is valued over human life. When these parts fail, the vehicle is not safe.
NHTSA complaint #11671557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The vehicle is unsafe to driver and others on the road. The power steering hose has had a leak since it was manufactured and was not fixed by the manufacturer at all! Tie rods gave away within 5 years of a mileage less than 24,200 miles. Cv joints along with tie rods have been easily compromised and damaged causing loss of control and steering .suspensions are no longer in tact nor reliable and will pose a danger. All errors were not found by manufacturer and has caused immediate danger to not only driver but everyone on the road. The engine has a rattle only after 2 years which is not usual.
NHTSA complaint #11670314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding and whining sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown diagnosis was made, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred, and the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds and while at a complete stop at the red traffic light. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the crankshaft position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V527000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11666604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The tire rod assembly disconnected and caused a near miss accident. The steering was no longer intact. The car had to be towed and repaired to the nearest auto repair shop.
NHTSA complaint #11661391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I have a 2024 Nissan Altima and I have having a problem when I turn that there is a click on the a passenger side. Before I go to the car shop, I believe this may be the recall the was issued for certain vehicles and I would like my car reviewed for the recall. Please advise how I can how my car looked at for the recall. [XXX] , Raleigh NC [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11661441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the dealer had previously repaired the vehicle under Voluntary Service Campaign: P9324 (Rear Lower Link); however, the failure recurred after the repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became loose. The contact experienced a loss of vehicle control, causing the vehicle to sway from left to right. Additionally, there was a knocking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but no cause of failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to several independent mechanics who replaced the U-joint, steering column, calipers, shocks, and rear brakes, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
NHTSA complaint #11653366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Clunking and bouncing from right tire followed by acceleration not working properly
NHTSA complaint #11649779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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When I first start the car the engine revs and the tachometer or the RPM reader stays above 2 while reving for over a minute which is too long. The needle eventually goes to 1 but it seems like when I change gears to drive it "hits hard" then almost skids out and almost glides at times. It doesn't happen every single time but it happens often enough where I don't feel safe driving. The steering when I back out of a space also feels like it is "skipping". I don't know how to really describe it but it is worrisome
NHTSA complaint #11645313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became firm and difficult to turn in either direction. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that both front suspension control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic for a second opinion where it was diagnosed with the same failure. The vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,333.
NHTSA complaint #11644483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Due to the Pasadena wildfires the car has been highly affected due to the extreme heat and the ashes
NHTSA complaint #11636408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.