Nissan’s Altima is a good, spacious sedan that has earned high marks for safety. But with 10 recalls covering problems like doors opening while driving, airbag failure, fuel leaks, and a troublesome CVT, there are some real issues to be aware of.
Key Points
- Although the 2015 Nissan Altima’s engine is fairly reliable, Nissan’s CVT transmissions are prone to failure due to engine overheating problems.
- The 2015 Nissan Altima has 10 recalls, with the most severe concerning the driver’s airbag failing to deploy in the event of a crash.
- The NHTSA has received nearly 700 registered owner complaints about the 2015 Altima, with the most common pertaining to faulty airbags.
- Owners often mention electrical system issues, including poor headlight visibility, safety sensors failing to work, and the car misfiring and jerking due to faulty spark plugs and coils.
- The 2015 Nissan Altima has undergone three investigations. Two are still open and involve rupturing airbag inflators and failure of the rear suspension control arm.
CVT Troubles Are Common in the 2015 Altima, With Owners Experiencing Hesitation While Accelerating, Sputtering, and Even Outright Failure
For 2015, the only tranny option offered in the midsize Altima was a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This also happens to be the sedan’s most problematic component and affects four-cylinder and V6 models alike.
CVTs use pulleys and belts instead of gears and are designed to keep the engine within an optimal rpm range. They are more expensive to maintain than a traditional automatic.
Car Complaints, sorting through NHTSA reports, shows that 11 cases of transmission failure have been registered, typically around 61,000 miles. Unfortunately for drivers who are out of warranty, replacement stands at a steep $4,300 average.
The most common symptom that suggests the CVT is going out is hesitation during acceleration. Stalling at takeoff, loud grinding sounds, and sputtering are also on the list.
2015 Nissan Altima’s 10 Recalls Cover Serious Issues With Malfunctioning Airbags, Hoods Popping Open While Driving
The 2015 Nissan Altima has 10 recalls on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Three cover the Altima’s hood latch, where corrosion can prevent it from locking fully when closed. If inadvertently released while driving, this could cause the hood to open fully and cause a crash.
Another recall involves an improperly installed o-ring that may not have been properly sealed during assembly. This can lead to fuel leaking after an accident, creating a potential fire hazard.
The 2015 Nissan Altima has three additional recalls over faulty airbag software that may result in airbags failing to deploy in a colission.
Another recall resolves front brake caliper bolts that may not have been sufficiently tightened during production.
Majority of 2015 Altima’s 700 Owner Complaints Relate to Problematic CVT and Rupturing Airbag Inflators, Both Serious Concerns
700 owner complaints have been registered with the NHTSA against the 2015 Altima, an above-average number for a sedan of its age. Some of the more concerning consumer complaints involve the CVT, as well as unreliable Takata airbags, which affected millions of vehicles across multiple automakers.
Other common issues involve exterior lighting and powertrain problems. Reportedly, the low-beam headlights on the 2015 Nissan Altima are “dangerous when driven at night,” according to one complaint. “[I] can hardly see 10 feet in front of the car,” shares the owner.
Similar experiences are echoed time and again. One owner even mentions that their local dealer suggested they replace the entire headlight assemblies.
A high number of consumer complaints also address the powertrain and testy CVT.
A 2015 Nissan Altima owner reported to the NHTSA that his transmission went out with 103,000 miles on the odometer. The dealership quoted him $5,500 for a new transmission because of CVT failure.
Another 2015 Altima said, “Nissan refused to pay for a $5,221 transmission replacement. They should have replaced it due to their crappy CVT design.”
Three Investigations Were Launched Against the 2015 Altima, Including Two Still Open, Dealing With Dangerous Takata-related Rupturing Airbags
In addition to 10 recalls and nearly 700 owner complaints, the 2015 Nissan Altima has three NHTSA investigations, and two of them are still active. The most serious of the open investigations concerns the infamous Takata airbag inflators.
After prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humidity, the airbag inflators can degrade and eventually rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants.
The other two recalls both deal with a design flaw in the rear suspension control arm that causes it to fail. Although the unit was replaced with a new design, the investigations remain open.
Despite the 2015 Nissan Altima’s Perfect Five-star Safety Rating, the Sedan Has Some Serious Problems
Despite its perfect five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, the 2015 Nissan Altima ranks poorly when it comes to reliability. And the reason is Nissan’s use of the CVT, which is well-known for having serious issues.
Additionally, the Altima has had several recalls and owner complaints regarding notable airbag issues.
The Nissan Altima, however, has had some good years, and it is a spacious vehicle with a fairly decent engine. However, its reliability issues in other areas of the car, such as airbags, should lead potential buyers to consider other options in the sedan family.
Photos: Nissan
