2015 Nissan Altima Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
87/100
#3 most-complained of 16 Altima years
The 2015 Nissan Altima has 953 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 87, and ranks 3rd worst of 16 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Electrical System problems (34% of complaints) and Airbags (19%) lead the issues, backed by 10 recalls.
- Complaints
- 953
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes / fires
- 46 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 27 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28.5
- 24.5 city / 34 hwy
Top 2015 Nissan Altima problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Headlights reported as too dim to see clearly at night, sometimes leading to collisions with curbs or objects
- Airbags failed to deploy in crashes at highway speeds, including a case with contusions and lacerations requiring medical treatment
- Brakes reportedly failed suddenly, dropping with no resistance and causing drivers to hit the gas instead of stopping
- Hood popped open while driving due to a latch issue, scratching the vehicle and requiring repeated dealer visits
- Multiple owners describe airbags not deploying even after being hit twice in separate accidents
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?
- Compared with other Altima model years, 2015 ranks 3rd worst out of 16 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 87 and 953 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2015 Nissan Altima?
- Electrical System complaints are the largest category, making up 34% of all complaints (320 of 953), with a median failure mileage of 63,000 miles.
- Does the 2015 Nissan Altima have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two airbag-related recalls for the 2015 Altima (16V911000 and 16V244000), and Airbags account for 19% of owner complaints with 23 crashes reported.
- How many recalls does the 2015 Nissan Altima have?
- NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2015 Nissan Altima, covering Structure & Body, Airbags, and Brakes components, none classified as do-not-drive.
- How does the 2015 Altima compare to other years?
- The 2015 model (Complaint Index 87) is worse than 2016 (80), 2017 (60), and 2018 (33), but not as bad as 2013 (100), the worst year tracked.