Known Recalls

Model year record

2013 Nissan Altima

12 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 3,036 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V315000

Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
Manufacturer
Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
1,831,818
Reported to NHTSA
2020-05-28
Owners notified
2021-06-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer 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 secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: Recall 16V-029 remains open for any unremedied 2013-2015 Altimas and this recall applies to all vehicles covered by 16V-029 even if those repairs have already been performed.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V911000

Air bags: sensor: occupant classification

Component
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
Manufacturer
Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
757
Reported to NHTSA
2016-12-19
Owners notified
2017-02-13

Defect description

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima vehicles manufactured January 3, 2013, to July 29, 2013, 2015-2016 Rogue vehicles manufactured October 14, 2014, to August 12, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured June 4, 2015, to August 19, 2015. An incorrect Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have been installed in the front passenger seat. The incorrect ECU and seat combination may misclassify the front passenger seat occupant.

Safety risk

If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V244000

Air bags: sensor: occupant classification

Component
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
Manufacturer
Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
3,296,947
Reported to NHTSA
2016-04-26
Owners notified
2016-06-10

Defect description

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.

Safety risk

If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V029000

Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
Manufacturer
Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
846,000
Reported to NHTSA
2016-01-22
Owners notified
2016-02-17

Defect description

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to December 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

Safety risk

If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer 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. To correct this issue, Nissan will re-notify all affected owners and dealers will replace the hood latch with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on February 17, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 14V-565 and 15V-116.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V681000

Air bags: sensor: occupant classification

Component
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
Manufacturer
Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
919
Reported to NHTSA
2015-10-20
Owners notified
2015-11-30

Defect description

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. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Safety risk

If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V486000

Fuel system, gasoline

Component
Fuel system, gasoline
Manufacturer
Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
46,846
Reported to NHTSA
2015-08-04
Owners notified
2015-09-28

Defect description

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. On October 14, 2015, Nissan expanded the recall to cover an additional 41,388 vehicles, including certain model year 2013-2015 Altima 3.5 vehicles equipped with a V6 engine manufactured March 30, 2012, to August 18, 2015 as well as the vehicles covered by the July 31, 2015 notification. In the affected vehicles, due to an improperly installed o-ring that may not have been seated correctly at the time of assembly, fuel may leak during a crash from the area where the fuel sending unit attaches to the fuel tank.

Safety risk

If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V116000

Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
Manufacturer
Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
625,400
Reported to NHTSA
2015-02-27
Owners notified
2015-03-31

Defect description

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

Safety risk

If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer 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. If significant corrosion is observed, the latch assembly will be replaced. This repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-565.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V565000

Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
Manufacturer
Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
220,423
Reported to NHTSA
2014-09-15
Owners notified
2014-10-20

Defect description

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to February 28, 2013. In the affected vehicles, interference between the hood inner panel and the secondary latch lever, in combination with debris and corrosion, may cause the secondary hood latch to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

Safety risk

If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer 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. If significant corrosion is observed, the latch assembly will be replaced. This repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V138000

Electrical system: software

Component
Electrical system: software
Manufacturer
Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
989,701
Reported to NHTSA
2014-03-25
Owners notified
2014-04-14

Defect description

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Safety risk

If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

Manufacturer remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V158000

Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire

Component
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
Manufacturer
Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
123,308
Reported to NHTSA
2013-04-24
Owners notified
2013-04-29

Defect description

Nissan North America is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima vehicles manufactured March 21, 2012, through March 26, 2013. The spare tires may have been significantly over- or under-inflated.

Safety risk

Tires that are significantly over- or under-inflated may fail without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and adjust the spare tire pressure, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 29, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V069000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
82,038
Reported to NHTSA
2013-03-01
Owners notified
2013-05-06

Defect description

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, Sentra, and Infiniti JX35 vehicles. Sensors within the passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured out of specification. This may cause the system to malfunction and permanently suppress the passenger airbag.

Safety risk

If the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed, there may be an increased risk of personal injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ODS sensors and replace them as neccessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V494000

Suspension

Component
Suspension
Manufacturer
Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
13,919
Reported to NHTSA
2012-10-10
Owners notified
2012-11-12

Defect description

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification.

Safety risk

The affected bolts could become loose and fall out which may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque specifications. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags52014,000 mi
Power train50668,000 mi
Exterior lighting42480,000 mi
Suspension288100,000 mi
Unknown or other24470,000 mi
Engine16061,000 mi
Electrical system15837,000 mi
Structure: body10652,000 mi
Steering9724,000 mi
Service brakes5434,000 mi
Visibility/wiper5341,756 mi
Vehicle speed control4852,073 mi
Fuel/propulsion system4560,000 mi
Wheels3990,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch3650,000 mi
Seats367,500 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)3169,000 mi
Seat belts2813,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights2380,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages2368,420 mi
Structure: body: hood1335,000 mi
Structure: body: door1153,000 mi
Structure812,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling7500 mi
Suspension: rear7100,020 mi
Power train: automatic transmission675,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline53,500 mi
Visibility: windshield58,200 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic413,500 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility312,500 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner331,898 mi
Lane departure: blind spot detection3—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch343,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel249,000 mi
Equipment2—
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking2—
Suspension: front: control arm295,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm2165,000 mi
Tires212,034 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2281,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices240 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly212,000 mi
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module1100,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1120,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ECU/ECM)1100,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)11,200 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1120,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1125,000 mi
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices18,919 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint115 mi
Steering: electric power assist system1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Structure: frame and members1135,751 mi
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly1140,000 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber169,603 mi
Suspension: subframe/mounting bracket1151,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems165,000 mi
Traction control system1112,000 mi
Visibility118,000 mi

The 2012 model has 5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2014 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

EA21002Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.