Car Yearsto Avoid

2015 Nissan Altima Problems

What owners have reported about the 2015 Nissan Altima, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.

From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

Is the 2015 Nissan Altima a good year?

It's one of the worst years for the Altima. Owners have filed 955 complaints with NHTSA, the 5th most of 17 Altima model years. The most reported problems involve the lights, airbags and transmission.

955 complaints 10 recalls, 1 fire risk 5th worst of 17 Altima years

Top 2015 Nissan Altima problems

1

Lighting problems

270 complaints (28%) name the lights, most often the headlights and bulbs.

Complaints 270 · Usually at 45,000–95,000 miles

2

Airbag problems

177 complaints (19%) name the airbags, most often the front passenger and driver.

Complaints 177 · Usually at 11,000–60,000 miles · Recall 16V911000, 16V244000, 15V681000

3

Transmission problems

161 complaints (17%) name the transmission, most often the automatic transmission and CVT.

Complaints 161 · Usually at 31,000–90,000 miles

4

Engine problems

66 complaints (7%) name the engine.

Complaints 66 · Usually at 27,000–78,000 miles

Which parts fail most

Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.

Lights 28%
Airbags 19%
Unknown or Other 10%
Engine 7%
Suspension 7%
Body 7%
Electrical 6%
Steering 5%
Door Locks and Latches 5%

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (528 of 955). The amber line is the middle value, about 59,000 miles.

When problems were reported

Complaints by the year the problem happened.

2015 Nissan Altima recalls

Latch

If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time. Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, a warning label near the secondary hood latch, and an OwnerÂ’s Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Note: Recall 16V-029 remains open for any unremedied 2013-2015 Altimas and this recall applies to all vehicles covered by 16V-029 even if those repairs have already been performed.

Recall 20V315000 · May 2020

Rear door can open unexpectedly while driving

Injury risk

A cable in the rear passenger door may have been routed incorrectly during a earlier repair, so it can catch on the window mechanism. When the window is lowered, the door can unlatch and swing open without warning, which puts rear passengers at higher risk of injury if it happens while the car is moving.

Fix: Your dealer will secure the latch-lock cables in the correct position using a new procedure, and this repair is free of charge.

Recall 18V915000 · Dec 2018

Latch

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. If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will correct the rear door latch/lock cable routing, free of charge.

Recall 17V040000 · Jan 2017

Occupant classification

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. If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge.

Recall 16V911000 · Dec 2016

Occupant classification

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. If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

Fix: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors.

Recall 16V244000 · Apr 2016

Latch

In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: These vehicles were previously included in recalls 14V-565 and 15V-116, however the previous remedy plan may not have been performed consistently to remove the safety risk. To correct this issue, Nissan will re-notify all affected owners and dealers will replace the hood latch with a new one, free of charge.

Recall 16V029000 · Jan 2016

Front brake caliper bolts may be loose

Crash risk

The front brake calipers may not be bolted on tightly enough. If a caliper comes loose, braking can be reduced, which raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will check the front brake caliper mounting bolts and tighten them as needed, free of charge.

Recall 15V733000 · Nov 2015

Passenger airbag may be wrongly turned off

Injury risk

A repair installed the wrong occupancy sensor unit, which can mistake an adult passenger for an empty seat and switch off the passenger airbag. If a crash happens, that airbag may not deploy, raising the risk of injury to the passenger.

Fix: The dealer will update the occupant classification system software at no cost to you.

Recall 15V681000 · Oct 2015

Fuel System

Fire risk

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. If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit.

Recall 15V486000 · Aug 2015

Latch

In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will be instructed to modify the bend angle of the hood actuation lever to eliminate potential interference with the hood inner panel. In addition, dealers will clean and lubricate the latch joint as needed.

Recall 15V116000 · Feb 2015
Check your VIN for open recalls

Get an email when your 2015 Nissan Altima gets a new recall

We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2015 Nissan Altima, you'll hear about it the same week.

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Altima years to avoid

Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.

2015 Nissan Altima problems by system

Common questions

Is the 2015 Nissan Altima a reliable year?

It's one of the worst years for the Altima. Owners have filed 955 complaints with NHTSA, the 5th most of 17 Altima model years. The most reported problems involve the lights, airbags and transmission.

What are the most common 2015 Nissan Altima problems?

Owners most often report problems with the lights, airbags, transmission and engine. 270 complaints (28%) name the lights, most often the headlights and bulbs.

At what mileage do 2015 Nissan Altima lights problems start?

Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 45,000–95,000 miles, with a middle value near 69,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2015 Nissan Altima have?

10. Latch (20V315000); Rear door can open unexpectedly while driving (18V915000); Latch (17V040000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Should I buy a used 2015 Nissan Altima?

Ask for service records covering the lights, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2023, 2022 and 2024 models, which have the fewest complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.