Nissan Altima Problems, Recalls and Mobile Repair
9,826 owner complaints and 37 safety recalls are on file with NHTSA for 2008–2024 Altima models. Here is what owners report most, which years drew the most complaints, and which fixes a mobile mechanic can do where the car sits.
NHTSA data pulled September 2026.
The most reported Altima problems
The systems named most often in NHTSA owner complaints for 2008–2024 Nissan Altima models, and whether a mobile mechanic can usually help. A complaint can name more than one system.
| System | Complaints | Share | Mobile mechanic? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrain | 1,773 | 18% | Usually a shop |
| Airbags | 1,483 | 15% | Dealer or recall |
| Electrical system | 1,268 | 13% | Often in the driveway |
| Steering | 1,253 | 13% | Diagnose first |
| Exterior lights | 1,120 | 11% | Usually on the spot |
| Engine | 876 | 9% | Diagnose first |
| Body structure | 813 | 8% | Usually a shop |
| Suspension | 643 | 7% | Often in the driveway |
Symptoms owners describe
Complaints are reports owners file with NHTSA, the federal vehicle-safety agency. NHTSA does not verify each one, and a year or model that sold more cars usually gets more complaints, so treat the counts as a map of what to check, not a reliability score. Data pulled from NHTSA's public complaint and recall databases in September 2026.
Complaints by model year
The 2013 Altima drew the most complaints (2,312). Newer years have had less time on the road, so their counts are still growing.
Nissan Altima recalls
37 safety recalls cover 2008–2024 Altima models. The most recent 12 are below.
| Reported | Campaign | Model years | System | What can happen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-06 | 25V437000 | 2019–2020 | Engine and cooling | Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. |
| 2023-12 | 23V882000 | 2024 | Steering | A loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 2023-09 | 23V628000 | 2019–2021 | Driver-assist systems | A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2021-03 | 21V169000 | 2019–2020 | Tires | Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. |
| 2021-03 | 21V138000 | 2020–2021 | Steering | A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash. |
| 2020-11 | 20V685000 | 2020 | Tires | Over cured tires can result in a sidewall break causing a sudden loss of air or the tread separating from the tire. |
| 2020-09 | 20V570000 | 2020 | Wipers, windows and mirrors | Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 2020-05 | 20V315000 | 2013–2018 | Door latches and locks | Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. |
| 2019-09 | 19V654000 | 2018–2019 | Driver-assist systems | The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash. |
| 2019-04 | 19V316000 | 2019 | Fuel system | A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. |
| 2019-03 | 19V235000 | 2019 | Exterior lights | If the brake switch remains in the ON position, the brake lights will remain illuminated when the brakes are not being pressed, which may confuse other drivers. |
| 2018-12 | 18V922000 | 2019 | Fuel system | If the retainer clip is unlocked, the fuel tube may shift and cause a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire. |
Plus 25 older recalls. Check your VIN for the full list.
Safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work. Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls on your exact car. "Park it" means NHTSA and the maker say not to drive the vehicle until it is fixed.
What Altima owners told NHTSA
“Brake switch or stop light switch goes out which causes brakes to become very stiff and not light up the brakes which causes car’s push start to not start car more than 5 times a week.”
“No check engine light was on and car gave no previous warning as to what could have happened.”
“They overheat and lose all power and the car wont accelerate .”
“It started to stall and eventually stopped completely.”
What a mobile mechanic can do on an Altima
Most everyday Altima repairs fit in a van, including work on the electrical system, exterior lights, suspension. A mobile mechanic can read codes, test the battery and charging system, replace brakes, starters and alternators, and handle most cooling-system parts where the car is parked.
Transmission rebuilds, internal engine work and anything under a safety recall belong in a shop or at a dealer – a good mobile mechanic will tell you that before driving out. What mobile mechanics can and can't do
What common jobs cost
| Job | Repair shop average | Mobile mechanics we list | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic | $125–183 | $85–130 | Usually credited toward the repair |
| Battery replacement | $456–493 | $125–250 | Some mobile prices are install only |
| Brake pads, per axle | $335–394 | $125–215 | Pads and rotors: $310–390 mobile, $549–629 at a shop |
| Starter | $565–796 | $200–440 | Some mobile prices are labor only |
| Alternator | $809–1,088 | $200–500 | Some mobile prices are labor only |
Repair shop average: RepairPal national estimates, parts and labor before tax (updated Sep 3, 2026); pads and rotors from Kelley Blue Book (Jun 2026). Mobile: the middle half of prices that 90 mechanics listed on MobileMechanics.ai publish on their own websites (checked Oct 2026); some are labor only, so ask whether parts are included. Prices vary by vehicle and city; the mechanic quotes after looking. How we got these numbers
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Nissan Altima recalls and news
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Nissan Altima: questions
What are the most common Nissan Altima problems?
In NHTSA owner complaints for 2008–2024 models, the systems named most often are the transmission and drivetrain, airbags, electrical system. The 2013 model year drew the most complaints (2,312).
How many recalls does the Nissan Altima have?
NHTSA lists 37 safety recalls covering 2008–2024 models. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to your car.
Are Nissan Altima recall repairs free?
Yes, safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work, but can fix most other problems where the car is parked.
Can a mobile mechanic work on a Nissan Altima?
Yes, for most everyday repairs: diagnostics, batteries, starters, alternators, brakes and many cooling-system parts. Transmission and internal engine work need a shop. Find a mobile mechanic in your city.
Where this data comes from
- NHTSA – vehicle safety complaints (public complaint database)
- NHTSA – recalls lookup by VIN
- NHTSA – Product Information Catalog and Vehicle Listing (vPIC)
Complaint and recall records for Nissan Altima model years in range, retrieved September 2026. Owner quotes are short excerpts from public NHTSA complaint records, lightly cased for reading.