2015 Nissan Altima Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2015 Nissan Altima has a complaint index of 80 and ranks 5th worst out of 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Owners logged 953 complaints, 10 recalls, 46 crashes, 5 fires, and 27 injuries, led by electrical system problems (34% of complaints).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 Altima years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 953
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 46
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 27
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28.5
- 24.5 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 27 / 0
Top 2015 Nissan Altima problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System320 (34%)
- Airbags177 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain161 (17%)
- Structure & Body110 (12%)
- Other96 (10%)
- Engine95 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires77 (8%)
- Steering48 (5%)
- Brakes33 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers31 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in crashes, including low-speed collisions and deer strikes, sometimes after the vehicle was already repaired under a related recall.
- Vehicles left in park can inadvertently roll away or shift into reverse on their own, rolling down driveways and striking fences or ditches.
- Brakes reportedly fail to slow the car when pressed, with anti-lock brakes also not engaging, leading to rear-end collisions.
- Steering control is lost at low speed due to a front tire issue, causing the vehicle to veer and crash.
- The hood's secondary latch can fail after the primary latch releases, letting the hood pop up while driving and scratch the vehicle.
- Structure and body components have caught fire while the vehicle was being driven under normal conditions.
2015 Nissan Altima recalls
10 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 18V915000Dec 19, 2018Structure & Body341,003 vehicles
Structure:emergency:escape/egress/exit
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles, previously remedied under recall number 17V-040. The door latch-lock cable may not have been routed properly in the rear door when the remedy was applied. As a result, the cable may interfere with the window regulator causing the rear passenger door to unlatch and inadvertently open without warning when the window is lowered.
Risk: If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will secure the latch-lock cables in the correct position using the new remedy procedure, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7669.
- NHTSA 17V040000Jan 18, 2017Structure & Body341,005 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles. The rear door latch/lock cable on the vehicles may have been improperly routed. As a result, lowering a rear window may inadvertently cause that door to unlatch and open.
Risk: If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will correct the rear door latch/lock cable routing, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
2015 Nissan Altima fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 28.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,300
- 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.
2015 compared with other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Nissan Altima reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2015 Altima has a complaint index of 80 and ranks 5th worst among 21 model years, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Altima years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2015 Nissan Altima?
- Electrical system complaints are the largest category, making up 34% of all reported issues (320 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 57,000 for the vehicle overall.
- Does the 2015 Nissan Altima have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2015 Altima, covering airbags, structure and body issues like hood latches and rear door cables, and front brake caliper mounting bolts.
- Are airbags a known issue on the 2015 Altima?
- Airbags account for 19% of complaints (177 total) with 23 crashes reported, and multiple recalls (16V911000, 16V244000, 15V681000) address occupant classification and airbag software.
- How does the 2015 Altima compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 80 is worse than years like 2018, 2021, and 2022 (Good or Best verdicts), but better than 2013's index of 100, the worst year in the lineup.