2014 Nissan Altima Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2014 Nissan Altima has a complaint index of 90, ranking 3rd worst of 21 model years, with 1,114 complaints and 8 recalls. NHTSA data lists Electrical System as the top problem area at 32% of complaints, earning this year an Avoid verdict.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #3 of 21 Altima years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,114
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 52
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 60
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 24.5 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 60 / 1
Top 2014 Nissan Altima problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System356 (32%)
- Transmission & Powertrain209 (19%)
- Airbags208 (19%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires141 (13%)
- Engine100 (9%)
- Structure & Body97 (9%)
- Other89 (8%)
- Steering58 (5%)
- Brakes39 (4%)
- Fuel System25 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report Takata airbags deploying and expelling metal fragments, causing wrist and facial injuries.
- Some drivers report frontal airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed collisions, resulting in injuries that a working airbag might have prevented.
- Owners describe brakes that respond slowly or inconsistently when pressed hard, leading to low-speed collisions.
- Some report the engine stalling unexpectedly while slowing down at intersections, creating a risk of being hit by oncoming traffic.
- One owner reported an engine fire caused by an oil filler cap issue with no warning light or automatic shutoff.
2014 Nissan Altima recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V315000May 28, 2020Structure & Body1,831,818 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2018 Nissan Altima vehicles. If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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 OwnerÂs Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. 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.
- NHTSA 16V911000Dec 19, 2016Airbags757 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima vehicles manufactured January 3, 2013, to July 29, 2013, 2015-2016 Rogue vehicles manufactured October 14, 2014, to August 12, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured June 4, 2015, to August 19, 2015. 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
- NHTSA 16V244000Apr 26, 2016Airbags3,296,947 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
2014 Nissan Altima fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,350
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Nissan Altima reliable?
- Compared to other Altima model years, the 2014 ranks poorly. NHTSA data gives it a complaint index of 90 and a rank of 3rd worst out of 21 model years, with an Avoid verdict.
- What is the most common problem with the 2014 Nissan Altima?
- NHTSA complaints show the Electrical System as the top problem area, accounting for 32% of the 1,114 complaints filed for this year, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 19%.
- Does the 2014 Nissan Altima have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag-related recalls affecting the 2014 Altima, including campaigns 16V911000, 16V244000, 15V681000, and 14V138000, mostly tied to Takata airbag inflators and occupant classification software.
- How does the 2014 Altima compare to other years?
- The 2014 Altima's complaint index of 90 is close to the worst year, 2013, which has an index of 100 and 2,312 complaints. Later years like 2018 through 2025 score much lower, with several earning a Best verdict.
- How many recalls does the 2014 Nissan Altima have?
- NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2014 Nissan Altima, covering airbags, structure/body hood latches, and fuel system components, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.