Altima (L32)
Data covers 3 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
QR25DE
2.5L 4-cyl / 170 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Nissan Altima Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
VQ35DE
3.5L 6-cyl / 255 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2007-2012 Nissan Altima
Too few field reports to rate this generation against peers yet. Most recently launched models accumulate complaints over the first 2-3 years.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 8 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.
Regen brake feel, one-pedal driving, B-mode complaints.
Sample complaint excerpts
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2007] VEHICLE FIRST WOULD NOT START, EVEN WHEN KEY INSERTED. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES OF PRESSING BRAKE CAR STARTS. CAR NOW SHOW VDC SLIP, ENGINE WARNING LIGHT, AND OTHERS COMING ON. CAR WILL NOT START AFTER NOT USING FOR TWO DAYS. DEALERSHIP STATES HYBRID BATTERY NEEDS REPLACEMENT @ COST OF OVER $6000.00. CAR ALSO WOULD LOOSE POWER ON TALE OFF FROM LIGHT. STARTING PROBLEMS ERRACTIC. DEALERSHIP STATE BRAKE
- [2007] MY HYBRID WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE HYBRID WATER PUMP HAD FAILED. NIACIN DID NOT HAVE THEIR OWN HYBRID TECHNOLOGY IN 2007 SO THE HYBRID SYSTEM IS FROM TOYOTA. TOYOTA HAS RECALLED THE HYBRID WATER PUMPS FOR THAT MODEL YEAR BECAUSE OF FAILURES. WHEN I TOLD THE DEALER NIACIN OF BOURNE IN MASSACHUSETTS ABOUT THE ISSUE AND FAXED
- [2010] TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID RECALL - TOYOTA HYBRID PRIUS SYSTEM WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER TWO HYBRID SYSTEM RECALLS USED BY NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRIDS 2007-2011. MY VEHICLE UNEXPECTLY AND SUDDENLY LOSS ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, NO WARNING LIGHTS OR PRIOR MECHANICAL ISSUES PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED TO THE ENGINE WIRING HARDNESS WHICH CO
Electric Propulsion
- [2007] TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS TWO ENGINES: AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND AN ELECTRIC MOTOR. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, HE COULD NOT HEAR THE ELECTRIC MOTOR ENGINE RUNNING. APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRIC MOTOR WAS ACTIVATED. CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES WERE PRESENT IN THE GARAGE AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED.
- [2008] WHEN I GET INTO THE CAR AND PUSH THE START BUTTON, THE CAR TURNS ON BUT THE READY IS NOT SIGNALING AND THE CAR DOESN'T MOVE. THE CAR WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY THE DAY BEFORE AND NOW THE CAR WON'T MOVE. THERE ALSO A WEIRD BUZZING TYPE SOUND WHEN I PRESS THE BREAK. *TR
- [2011] WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR LOST POWER SUDDENLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP. NISSAN ENDED UP REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION AND THE INVERTER ON THE CAR. *TR
Thermal Events
- [2010] THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I AM WRITING TO REPORT A VEHICLE ENGINE FIRE WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP INVOLVING MY WIFE'S 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID AT THE INTERSECTION OF RTE 231 & I-495 SERVICE RD (E/B) IN SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY. NISSAN WAS CONTACTED, AS WELL AS MY INSURANCE CARRIER, MET LIFE, AND OTH SENT INDEPENDENT ARSON INVESTIGATORS TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AND IDENTIFY A CAUSE/ORIGIN OF THE SPONTANEOUS
Regenerative Braking
- [2010] MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID HAS A PROBLEM WHEREIN A (LIKELY COMPUTER SOFTWARE) DEFECT PREVENTS THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM FROM ENGAGING WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON AND SET AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. OVER A WIDE RANGE OF SPEEDS, SETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS THE EFFECT OF LOCKING OUT THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS IS AN EASILY REPEATABLE AND DEMONSTRABLE PROBLEM AND OCCURS
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Nissan Altima, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2007-2012 Nissan Altima
On a used 2007-2012 Nissan Altima, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the steering (986), the electrical system (814) and the body and structure (537). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 986 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Nissan Altima about the steering.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 814 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Nissan Altima about the electrical system.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 537 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Nissan Altima about the body and structure.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 532 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Nissan Altima about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 455 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Nissan Altima about the engine, all engines combined.
Recalls (13)
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ALTIMA AND VERSA VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS THAT CONTAIN AN INCORRECT PROPELLANT MIXTURE FOR THE INITIATOR COMPONENT USED, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT OUTPUT OF COMPRESSED GAS.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 21, 2011 AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 28, 2011 BECAUSE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU) WAS ASSEMBLED INCORRECTLY.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 25, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 10, 2011 AT THE CANTON, MISSISSIPPI PLANT. THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CREATING A RATTLING NOISE AND VIBRATION.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
Show 8 older recalls
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 ALTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 7, 2010 THROUGH APRIL 13, 2010. SOME OF THE FRONT SIDE MEMBER ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WELDED TO SPECIFICATION DUE TO A TOOL MAINTENANCE ERROR.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA AND MAXIMA PASSENGER CARS. THE UPPER FRONT STRUT INSULATORS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT INSULATOR TO CRACK.
NISSAN IS RECALLING 225 MY 2009 ALTIMA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION WELD ON THE DOOR ASSEMBLY.
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
NISSAN IS RECALLING 3,403 MY 2009 ALTIMA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 16-INCH ALLOY WHEELS. SOME THESE WHEELS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THIS COULD CAUSE ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE LUG NUTS ATTACHING THE WHEEL TO THE VEHICLE TO BECOME LOOSE.
NISSAN IS RECALLING 1,018 MY 2008 ALTIMA VEHICLES. THE LEFT SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) REPLACED DURING SERVICE AT A DEALERSHIP, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY DEACTIVATED DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE DEALER SERVICE SOFTWARE. IF THE TPMS IS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT ALERT THE DRIVER TO A DECREASE IN THE TIRE PRESSURE AS DESIGNED.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, IF A SUFFICIENTLY HOT OBJECT ENTERS THE AIR FILTER HOUSING THROUGH THE ENGINE FRESH AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND CONTACTS THE ENGINE AIR FILTER, THE FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL ARE SUCH THAT THE FILTER MAY IGNITE.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Midsize Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2007-2012 Nissan Altima complaints?
Owners have filed 4,194 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2012 Nissan Altima. The systems they name most often are the steering, the electrical system and the body and trim.
Is the 2007-2012 Nissan Altima a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 4,194 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2012 Nissan Altima. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007-2012 Nissan Altima have?
NHTSA has 4,194 owner complaints on file for the 2007-2012 Nissan Altima as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2007-2012 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA lists 13 recalls covering some 2007-2012 Nissan Altima vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Nissan Altima?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the steering, the electrical system and the body and trim, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Altima?
The 2012 Nissan Altima received an overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (10.5% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 4,194 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.