NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The primary hood latch can accidentally release. When this happens, the secondary hood latch may corrode over time, potentially allowing the hood to open while driving.
What the fix does
This page covers 12 recalls, 938 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Nissan Altima.
26–31 mpg combined
7.6–9 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Exterior lighting is the standout complaint category for the 2015 Altima, with a large share of owners reporting that the headlights produce noticeably dim illumination, often described as barely visible even in low-light conditions. Many say the problem appears with no warning light, and some needed full headlight assembly replacements to resolve it. Airbag complaints are the second-most reported concern, centered heavily on the passenger seat occupant detection system incorrectly reading whether a passenger is present, which affects whether the front airbag deploys or suppresses. Powertrain complaints round out the top three, covering a range of drivetrain and transmission behaviors owners describe across various driving conditions. A smaller number of reports mention the rear control arm failing while driving, with owners describing sudden and unexpected handling changes.
938
Total Complaints
45
Crash-Related
5
Fire-Related
24
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Nissan Altima has 12 recalls, the most serious being a secondary hood latch that can corrode or bind in the open position, leaving the hood free to fly up while driving if the primary latch is tripped.
A separate but equally serious concern involves the rear passenger doors: an improperly routed door latch cable can cause a rear door to swing open when the rear window is lowered while the vehicle is in motion. Prior repair attempts on some vehicles did not fully resolve this issue, and those vehicles are also included in a recall. On the fuel system side, certain 3.5-liter models have a fuel sending unit that can leak at the tank connection, raising the risk of fire in a crash.
The remaining recalls involve the front passenger airbag system. On some vehicles, the passenger seat sensor that determines whether the front passenger is an adult or a child may misclassify the occupant, causing the airbag to deploy with the wrong force or not deploy at all in a crash. One part of this concern stems from an incorrect sensor control unit installed during a prior repair.
At a glance
What can fail
The primary hood latch can accidentally release. When this happens, the secondary hood latch may corrode over time, potentially allowing the hood to open while driving.
What the fix does
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, add a warning label near the secondary latch, and provide maintenance instructions to help prevent corrosion.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The cable that keeps the rear passenger door latched may be routed where the window regulator can pinch or damage it. This could cause the door to unlatch and open when the window lowers.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the door, add a clip to reroute the cable properly, and replace the latch-lock cable assembly if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The door latch-lock cable in the rear door may be routed incorrectly, allowing it to interfere with the window regulator. This can cause the rear passenger door to unlatch and open unexpectedly when the window is lowered.
What the fix does
Dealers will reposition and secure the latch-lock cables in the correct location using an updated procedure at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The latch-lock cable in the rear door may be routed where the window regulator can damage it. This could cause the rear door to unlatch and open unexpectedly when lowering the window.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear door latch-lock cable assembly, reroute it, or replace it as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear door latch/lock cable may be routed incorrectly. Lowering a rear window can unintentionally unlatch and open that door.
What the fix does
Dealers will reposition the rear door latch/lock cable to the correct routing at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat may have an incorrect computer control unit installed that causes the system to misclassify whether someone is sitting in that seat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the control unit and update the seat's software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat's occupant detection system may incorrectly identify an adult as a child or miss an occupied seat. This can cause the passenger airbag to stay off during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram or replace the occupant detection and airbag control units to ensure proper airbag operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The secondary hood latch may bind and stick in the unlatched position when the hood is closed, preventing it from fully securing.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the hood latch with a new one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front brake caliper mounting bolts may not be properly tightened, which could allow the caliper to move or separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the brake caliper mounting bolts and tighten them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The occupant classification system control unit may incorrectly identify the front passenger seat as empty when an adult is sitting in it.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the occupant classification system software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An o-ring in the fuel sending unit may not be properly seated, allowing fuel to leak from the fuel tank during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and fuel sending unit to secure the o-ring.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The secondary hood latch may bind and stick in the unlatched position when the hood is closed, preventing it from fully latching.
What the fix does
Dealers will adjust the hood actuation lever angle, clean and lubricate the latch joint, and replace the latch assembly if corrosion is severe.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
