2015 Nissan Altima Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2015 Nissan Altima. Part of Generation 5 — 2013–2018.

20142016
Complaints
1,192
per 10K Sold
35.8
US Sales
333,398
Crashes
61
Fires
11
Injuries
37
Fatalities
Recalls
10

Worst 2015 Nissan Altima Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1243 complaints

Headlight/Taillight Failures

Avg mileage:66,458 mi
Crash-related:8
#2169 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:39,078 mi
Crash-related:22
#3157 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:62,570 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2015 Nissan Altima.

Headlight/Taillight Failures
243
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
Avg Miles
66,458
Airbags
169
complaints
Crashes
22
Fires
Avg Miles
39,078
Transmission / Drivetrain
157
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
62,570
Engine Problems
66
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
53,793
Suspension Failures
58
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
81,807
Body Structure
54
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Avg Miles
71,463
Electrical Faults
53
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
3
Avg Miles
39,739
Steering Defects
48
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
21,491
Unintended Acceleration
36
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
46,882
Wipers & Visibility
26
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
52,144
Fuel System
25
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
49,107
Brakes
25
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
43,365
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
21
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
94,605
Latches / Locks
20
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
81,841
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
20
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
67,069
Wheel Issues
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
26,137
Seat Belt Issues
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
11,556
Electronic Stability Control
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
66,076
Seat-Related Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Interior Panels:Sun Visor
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Bulbs
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2015 Nissan Altima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2015 Nissan Altima

10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~7,330,814 vehicles.

20V315000Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
~1,831,818 affected

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.

18V915000Structure:emergency:escape/egress/exit · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~341,003 affected

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles, previously remedied under recall number 17V-040. The door latch-lock cable may not have been routed properly in the rear door when the remedy was applied. As a result, the cable may interfere with the window regulator causing the rear passenger door to unlatch and inadvertently open without warning when the window is lowered.

17V040000Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
~341,005 affected

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles. The rear door latch/lock cable on the vehicles may have been improperly routed. As a result, lowering a rear window may inadvertently cause that door to unlatch and open.

16V911000Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
~757 affected

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.

16V244000Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
~3,296,947 affected

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.

16V029000Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
~846,000 affected

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.

15V733000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
~119 affected

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2015 Altima and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured October 6, 2015, to October 7, 2015. The affected vehicles have front brake calipers whose mounting bolts may not be properly tightened.

15V681000Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification · Air Bags:frontal
~919 affected

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.

15V486000Gasoline Fuel System
~46,846 affected

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.

15V116000Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
~625,400 affected

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.

Other Nissan Altima Years

2015 Nissan Altima — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2015 Nissan Altima reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2015 Nissan Altima has 1,192 NHTSA complaints, 61 crash-related, and 10 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Headlight/Taillight Failures with 243 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2015 Nissan Altima?
Top reported problems: Headlight/Taillight Failures (243 complaints, avg 66,458 mi); Airbags (169 complaints, avg 39,078 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (157 complaints, avg 62,570 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2015 Nissan Altima?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 56,153 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2015 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA complaints for the 2015 Nissan Altima include 61 crash-related reports, 11 fire reports, 37 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2015 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
Yes — 10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 7,330,814 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2015 Nissan Altima?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Altima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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