Nissan Altima 2007–2012 problems by year and mileage
4th generation (L32)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20264,209 complaints, 3,145 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2007 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- 60,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 498
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2007
- Suspension127 reports · median 61,000 mi
- Airbag system71 reports · median 40,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline62 reports · median 103,000 mi
Recall areas Electrical system — software · Electrical system — ignition · Engine and engine cooling
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- 70,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,046
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2008
- Body structure312 reports · median 65,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise199 reports · median 92,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper168 reports · median 73,000 mi
Recall areas Equipment — electrical · Electrical system — software · Suspension
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- 79,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,601
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2009
- Steering885 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Electrical system487 reports · median 78,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise151 reports · median 94,000 mi
Recall areas Equipment — electrical · Suspension · Structure — body
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- 54,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 393
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2010
- Electrical system78 reports · median 48,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline75 reports · median 55,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise70 reports
Recall areas Equipment — electrical · Structure · Suspension
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- 69,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 245
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2011
- Transmission and driveline69 reports · median 100,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise40 reports
- Engine38 reports
Recall areas Suspension
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2012 Nissan Altima
Close- Median failure report
- 75,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 426
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2012
- Transmission and driveline149 reports · median 93,000 mi
- Engine68 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Airbag system57 reports · median 51,000 mi
Recall areas Suspension · Air bags — side/window · Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2009; earliest: the 2010, and the 2009 is 1 year older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2007–2012 Nissan Altima reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 72,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 136,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 3,145
- Recalls
- 13
Most reported
- Steering23.5% of complaints · median 79,000 mi
- Electrical system18.5% of complaints · median 73,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise13.2% of complaints · median 86,000 mi
Documented problems
- Transmission (CVT)2007–2012
- Electronic Steering Column Lock2009–2012
- Engine (2.5L)2007–2012
Owners filed 4,209 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2012 Nissan Altima; the steering leads with 23.5% of them, and half of the 3,145 that record an odometer reading came by 72,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 42,000 to 103,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2007–2012 Nissan Altima last?
On the 2007–2012 Nissan Altima, half of the 3,145 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 72,000 miles and 90% by 136,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
196 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 29 past 200,000 — each one proof that an Altima reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Nissan Altima 2007–2012 · 3,145 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 191 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 29 complaints (0.9%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 14,000
- 25%
- 42,000
- Median
- 72,000
- 75%
- 103,000
- 90%
- 136,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 191 | 6.1% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 64 | 2.0% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 64 | 2.0% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 61 | 1.9% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 65 | 2.1% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 76 | 2.4% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 97 | 3.1% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 100 | 3.2% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 129 | 4.1% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 98 | 3.1% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 126 | 4.0% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 128 | 4.1% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 159 | 5.1% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 127 | 4.0% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 164 | 5.2% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 119 | 3.8% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 150 | 4.8% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 96 | 3.1% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 136 | 4.3% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 103 | 3.3% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 126 | 4.0% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 58 | 1.8% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 90 | 2.9% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 62 | 2.0% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 91 | 2.9% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 69 | 2.2% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 65 | 2.1% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 46 | 1.5% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 40 | 1.3% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 49 | 1.6% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 41 | 1.3% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 16 | 0.5% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 21 | 0.7% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 12 | 0.4% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 23 | 0.7% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 20 | 0.6% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 12 | 0.4% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 7 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 12 | 0.4% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 29 | 0.9% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Altima problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Nissan Altima 2007–2012
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Airbag system449 reportsmedian 59,000middle half 19,000–101,000
- Body structure523 reportsmedian 65,000middle half 40,000–89,000
- Electrical system778 reportsmedian 73,000middle half 47,000–100,000
- Steering990 reportsmedian 79,000middle half 59,000–105,000
- Engine364 reportsmedian 82,000middle half 55,000–120,000
- Problems owners could not categorise555 reportsmedian 86,000middle half 60,000–117,000
- Transmission and driveline533 reportsmedian 97,000middle half 57,000–127,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 990 | 23.5% | 79,000 | 59,000–105,000 |
| Electrical system | 778 | 18.5% | 73,000 | 47,000–100,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 555 | 13.2% | 86,000 | 60,000–117,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 533 | 12.7% | 97,000 | 57,000–127,000 |
| Body structure | 523 | 12.4% | 65,000 | 40,000–89,000 |
| Airbag system | 449 | 10.7% | 59,000 | 19,000–101,000 |
| Engine | 364 | 8.6% | 82,000 | 55,000–120,000 |
| Visibility/wiper | 257 | 6.1% | 70,000 | 44,000–95,000 |
| Suspension | 240 | 5.7% | 66,000 | 42,000–93,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 188 | 4.5% | 71,000 | 26,000–121,000 |
Known problems with the 2007–2012 Altima
Transmission (CVT) 2007–2012
JATCO Xtronic CVT overheating and belt/pulley failure producing judder, delayed engagement and loss of drive. Nissan extended CVT coverage to 10 years / 120,000 miles on affected 2007-2010 CVT vehicles.
Electronic Steering Column Lock 2009–2012
ESCL module failure leaves the steering locked and the vehicle unable to start; addressed by recall and warranty extension.
Engine (2.5L) 2007–2012
Elevated oil consumption complaints continuing from the L31 QR25DE family.
Before you buy a 2007–2012 Altima: the 3-minute check
Generated from 3,145 mileage-tagged complaints, 13 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 13 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check transmission (CVT) on 2007–2012 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check electronic steering column lock on 2009–2012 cars.
- Check engine (2.5L) on 2007–2012 cars.
- Years differ here: from 245 to 1,601 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Altima problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi38% below | At 90k mi64% below | At 120k mi82% below | At 150k mi94% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 59,000–105,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 47,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 60,000–117,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 57,000–127,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 40,000–89,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 19,000–101,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 55,000–120,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Nissan Altima 2007–2012 · 3,145 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 38% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 64% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 82% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 94% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2007–2012 Nissan Altima recalls (13)
NHTSA records 13 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the suspension (4), the airbag system (2), body structure (2) (why one area can repeat).
Oct 2012 · 2012 · SuspensionThe affected bolts could become loose and fall out which may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. The affected bolts could become loose and fall out which may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque specifications. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer…
Feb 2012 · 2012 · Air BagsThe side curtain air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. The side curtain air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bag modules, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on march 12, 2012. Owners may contact Nissan…
Aug 2011 · 2012 · Air BagsThe affected acu will not operate as designed and this issue may cause the air bags not to inflate in a crash…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. The affected acu will not operate as designed and this issue may cause the air bags not to inflate in a crash when they are designed to inflate. This could increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Nissan will replace the air bag control unit free of charge. The safety recall began on august 22, 2011. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Jul 2011 · 2011–2012 · SuspensionIf the bolt comes out completely, the driver may experience difficulty controlling the direction of the…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. If the bolt comes out completely, the driver may experience difficulty controlling the direction of the vehicle which could result in a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will replace the transverse link bolts and nuts and tighten them to the proper torque specification free of charge. The safety recall began on august 8, 2011. Owners may contact Nissan at…
Sep 2010 · 2008–2010 · EquipmentOverheated batteries could result in a fire.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by garmin technicians by replacing the battery and inserting a spacer on top of the battery free of charge. The safety recall began on…
May 2010 · 2010 · StructureIf several structural welds are out of specification on a single vehicle, it may have an effect on the…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. If several structural welds are out of specification on a single vehicle, it may have an effect on the vehicle crash performance.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and if necessary repair free of charge. The safety recall began on may 13, 2010. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Sep 2009 · 2009–2010 · SuspensionIf the strut insulator is cracked, there is a potential for the strut rod to come out of its mounting…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. If the strut insulator is cracked, there is a potential for the strut rod to come out of its mounting position, which could affect vehicle stability and increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners and dealers will replace both left and right side front strut insulators free of charge. The safety recall began october 2009. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-nissan1…
Jan 2009 · 2009 · StructureThis does not meet the standard requirements.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. This does not meet the standard requirements.
The free fix. All the affected vehicles have been brought back from the dealerships and remedied at the factory. No vehicles had been retailed.
Oct 2008 · 2007–2008 · Electrical SystemThis could result in the passenger air bag being suppressed which could fail to provide adequate protection…
The defect. 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'…
What can happen. This could result in the passenger air bag being suppressed which could fail to provide adequate protection in the event of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will test the signal between the ocs and acu systems using a special tool to check that it is functioning as designed. If necessary, the seat cushion (containing ocs hardware) will be…
Sep 2008 · 2009 · WheelsIf the lug nuts become loose, it could eventually result in a loss of control and a crash without warning.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. If the lug nuts become loose, it could eventually result in a loss of control and a crash without warning.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the vehicle to determine if it is equipped with one of the affected wheels. If it is, the wheels will be replaced with new ones that have been manufactured to the correct…
Jul 2008 · 2008 · SuspensionIf the bolt were to come out, the driver may experience difficulty controlling the direction of the vehicle…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. If the bolt were to come out, the driver may experience difficulty controlling the direction of the vehicle which could result in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will tighten the transverse link bolt to specification free of charge. The recall began on august 11, 2008. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Dec 2007 · 2007–2008 · Electrical SystemDriving on under-inflated tires is unsafe and could result in a crash.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. Driving on under-inflated tires is unsafe and could result in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will check the TPMS function and reactivate it if necessary. The recall began on january 18, 2008. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Jun 2007 · 2007 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the air filter material ignites, a fire may occur.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. If the air filter material ignites, a fire may occur.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the air filter with a new one that has improved anti-flammability material characteristics. The recall began on july 3, 2007, and will continue through october 1, 2007. Owners…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 4,209 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 187 (4.4%)
- Fires
- 62
- Injury reports
- 102
- Fatality reports
- 6
Altima problems by model year
The 2009 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,601, most of them about the steering, and the 2011 the fewest, 245. A typical year drew about 462.
That makes the 2009 stand out at roughly 3.5 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 498 | 394 | 60,000 | Suspension (127) | 3 |
| 2008 | 1,046 | 698 | 70,000 | Body structure (312) | 4 |
| 2009 | 1,601 | 1,288 | 79,000 | Steering (885) | 4 |
| 2010 | 393 | 282 | 54,000 | Electrical system (78) | 3 |
| 2011 | 245 | 176 | 69,000 | Transmission and driveline (69) | 1 |
| 2012 | 426 | 307 | 75,000 | Transmission and driveline (149) | 4 |
What Altima owners reported
The contact's mother owned a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her mother was driving 20 MPH, the brakes suddenly stopped responding when the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle crashed into a pole. The brake pedal was depressed, and the parking brake was activated, but the vehicle failed to…
2008 · 80,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered severe corrosion on the rear cross-member. The contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive because the corrosion affected several parts of the vehicle. The mechanic informed the contact about NHTSA…
2010 · 95,000 miles · Suspension
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle using the key fob, the vehicle failed to start. The contact depressed the brake pedal and ignition button, and the vehicle failed to start. The contact was unable to depress the brake pedal to start the vehicle. The contact…
2009 · 80,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA…
2009 · 166,000 miles · Airbag system
Built from 3,145 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Altima generations
- Altima 1998–2001 242 reports with mileage, most about the engine and its cooling system
- Altima 2002–2006 3,301 reports with mileage, most about the engine and its cooling system
- Altima 2013–2018 3,510 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Altima 2019–2025 147 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system