Summary
The Nissan Altima has 59 recalls spanning the 1993–2024 production run, with the most serious recent issue being a 2024 recall where the bolts connecting the electronic power steering unit to the steering rack can loosen and cause complete loss of steering control or the steering to lock up without warning.
The 2020–2021 model years have a separate steering concern: tie rod ball joints that were not properly tightened can detach from the steering knuckle and cause a sudden loss of directional control. On 2019 models, a fuel tube retainer clip that was not locked into place can allow the tube to shift and leak fuel near an ignition source, a fuel pump lock ring that may not be fully engaged can also cause a fuel leak, and a mispositioned brake light switch can keep the brake lights on at all times while also allowing the transmission to shift out of park without the brakes being applied. There is also a 2019 rearview camera wiring issue where vibration can damage the harness and cause the camera image to go blank while reversing.
The 2015–2018 model years have an extensive secondary hood latch problem that carried through multiple repair attempts: corrosion can cause the latch to stick open, leaving the hood held only by the primary latch, which can fly up while driving and block the driver's view. On 2015–2017 models, the rear door latch-lock cable can be misrouted so that lowering a rear window causes the door to swing open while moving. The 2015 model year also had front brake caliper mounting bolts that were not properly torqued and could allow the caliper to detach.
The 2013 generation accumulated several issues: the hood latch problem described above originated here, a fuel sending unit sealing ring can shift in a crash and cause a fuel leak with fire risk, the passenger seat occupant classification system can misread an occupied seat as empty and suppress the front passenger airbag in a crash, and 2013 spare tires may have left the factory significantly over- or under-inflated.
The 2012 model year had airbag control units assembled incorrectly that may not trigger the airbags in a crash, along with side curtain airbags that could fail to deploy. The 2011–2012 and 2012–2013 model years both had transverse link and steering rack bolts that were not torqued to specification and could fall out, making the vehicle hard to steer.
Going back further, the 2009–2010 models had front strut insulators that could crack and allow the strut rod to pull free of its mount, destabilizing the vehicle. The 2009 model also had 16-inch alloy wheels where lug nuts could work loose and cause a loss of control. The 2008 model had a suspension transverse link bolt with the same undertorque problem described above, and a passenger seat sensor issue that could permanently suppress the front passenger airbag.
The 2007 model has an air intake design where a burning object entering the filter housing can ignite the air filter and cause an underhood fire. The 2002 model years, particularly those operated in northern states, had ice crystals forming in the fuel tank at extreme cold that could block the fuel pump and stall the engine without warning; a separate airbag electrical connector issue on 2002 vehicles could prevent the driver airbag from deploying in a crash.
On the oldest production years, the 1997 model had rear seat belt buckle bases that could fail in a crash and not restrain
