Along with many other vehicles in the market, Nissan’s 2014 Altima was hit with Takata airbag recalls. Other problems led to recalls on hood latches, too, that could open at speed. Plus, owners complain of headlights too dim to light the road.
Key Points
- The 2014 Nissan Altima has eight recalls issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one focused on the fuel sending unit, three for a faulty hood latch, and four concerning the airbags.
- Five safety investigations, two still ongoing, focus on three main issues: a rupturing airbag inflator, rusting rear suspension control arms, and an airbag sensor that struggles to identify passengers.
- Consumers reported issues of dim low beam headlights which hamper nighttime visibility. Out of just over 900 registered complaints, nearly 250 mention the vehicle’s exterior lighting.
- Despite a few concerns, the 2014 Nissan Altima proves popular in Vehicle History Owner Reviews, just be sure to review the hood latch, as many units are still at risk today.
2014 Nissan Altima’s First Recall is Due to a Potential Fire Hazard
In an NHTSA recall issued in late 2015, Nissan notes that a fuel sending unit may be improperly affixed to the fuel tank of certain Altima models.
Initially discovered on other Nissan products, additional crash testing confirmed 2013-2015 model Altima sedans could develop a fuel leak after an accident due to the O-ring not seating correctly between the fuel sending unit and the fuel tank.
As of early 2017 nearly all identified vehicles with defective fuel sending units had been corrected.
2014 Nissan Altima Sedans have a History with Faulty Hood Latches, Multiple Recalls, Many Units Still at Risk
Not all product recalls correct the issue on the first attempt, as the Altima’s history proves. Nissan has issued three separate recalls to replace a faulty hood latch design that could release the hood while the vehicle is in motion.
The most current recall, issued in May of 2020, states nearly two million 2013-2018 Nissan and Infiniti products were impacted by this faulty secondary hood latch. Even vehicles repaired under the previous two recalls for this same hood latch must be taken in for repairs or run the risk of a hood latch failure while driving.
As of late October 2021, only a quarter of a million vehicles had been repaired under this third recall, leaving 88% of recalled vehicles at risk of hood latch failure.
Safety Investigations and Four Recalls Reveal Faulty Airbag Sensor and Glitchy Software can Keep 2014 Altima’s Airbags from Deploying in a Crash
More widespread than the three recalls for a faulty hood latch, the 2014 Nissan Altima has four recalls due directly to an investigation for their passenger seat airbag system. Many modern vehicles have smart passenger seats that recognize the size of the occupant and can disable the passenger airbag if the occupant is too small and light, such as a child.
The most wide-reaching recall was issued in April 2016 and applies to over three million vehicles. It reports that the sensors and controls for the front-passenger airbag may misclassify the passenger and not deploy the airbags in a collision.
Faulty Takata Airbag Inflator Units Led to Open Investigation over Possible Rupturing of Airbags upon Deployment
In September 2021, the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened an investigation into the propellants used in several Takata airbag inflator units used in Nissan Altima sedans, as well as thousands of other vehicles across many makes and models.
The investigation asserts that propellant used in certain airbag inflator modules can accumulate moisture, making it burn too quickly when ignited. This leads to a rupturing of the inflator unit during airbag deployment, which could cause serious injury or death. Because this is an ongoing investigation with no remedy as of yet.
2014 Nissan Altima Owner Complaints of Rusting Suspension Parts Sparks Ongoing Investigation
Customers in Salt Belt states have been complaining of limp or unresponsive steering or sudden changes in the pitch and roll of their Altima sedans. The increase of complaints without recalls from Nissan led the ODI to issue an investigation in late 2018 which was reassigned in 2019 to the ODI Engineering Analysis team where its status remains ongoing.
The component in question is the rear lower control arm, a part of the suspension. The research indicates cracking over normal use that, when exposed to road salts like those found in the northeast, could expand and break with little warning.
Nissan notes that while there was a design change in early 2018, Altimas from as early as 2013 contain the old design. The manufacturer also states that since the vehicle can be safely brought to a stop after failure, there is no need for a product recall. The ODI will assess whether a recall should be mandated to replace all parts of the old design.
2014 Nissan Altima’s Headlight Reported to be Too Dim to Light the Road, Ranks as Top Complaint by Owners
The number one complaint of customers through the NHTSA is that of headlights that are too dim to properly illuminate the road at night. Out of just over 900 registered complaints, 245 concern exterior lighting, or nearly 50 pages.
Complaints have a common theme of high-mileage Altimas with a note that bulb replacement did not remedy the issue. High beams are still functional but are not a viable solution in high-traffic conditions. No recalls have been issued for headlight failure.
Despite Open Investigations and Several Recalls, the 2014 Altima is a Mostly Reliable Pick, Just Remember to Inspect the Hood Latch
With 4.33 out of five stars on Vehicle History’s real owner reviews, the 2014 Altima proves to be a decent midsize sedan. Be sure to inspect the headlights, suspension components, and recall status before deciding on your used Altima. Also, remember to examine the hood latch since it’s been recalled multiple times and the vast majority of “fixed” units are still at risk.
Photos: Nissan
