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#BS-2015-NISALT-73F42015 Nissan AltimaProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 1,213 owners and 10 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·checked October 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 1,213 complaints, 63 crashes, 11 fires, and 10 recalls. Complaint rate is 5.8x the class average.
Top reported problems
headlights are too dim
57 complaints • Severity 9/10
hesitates sputters
28 complaints • Severity 7.3/10
wandering at highway speeds
18 complaints • Severity 8.1/10
electronic power steering pump whine
13 complaints • Severity 6.8/10
transmission failure
12 complaints • Severity 7.8/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
245 owners reported lights issues — failures commonly reported around 52K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (213 reports) • Median: 52K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Lights (245 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2015 Nissan Altima: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Lights Issues
Lights complaints account for 20% of all reports filed for the 2015 Nissan Altima, with 245 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 52,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 52K-mile mark.
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 14% of all reports filed for the 2015 Nissan Altima, with 173 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to airbags-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 13% of all reports filed for the 2015 Nissan Altima, with 158 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 2015 Nissan Altima, with 66 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2015 Nissan Altima. Recent trend: stable.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (10 recalls)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
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.
+ 5 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2015 Nissan Altima NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (3)
1 investigation still open: NHTSA is examining whether a defect warrants a recall.
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
SUSPENSION:REAR
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
SUSPENSION:REAR
The worst model year for the Nissan Altima is the 2013 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2015 Nissan Altima vs. Class Average (Midsize Cars)
This vehicle
1,213
Class avg
211
5.8x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical midsize cars vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 1,213 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 10 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated (checked October 30, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Nissan Altima Model Years
2015 Nissan Altima: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2015 Nissan Altima Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 1,213 owner reports. Know before you buy.