Vehicle report

2021 Nissan Altima

Free recalls, owner complaints, and NHTSA safety ratings for the 2021 Nissan Altima, plus how to check this specific vehicle before you buy.

The 2021 Nissan Altima has 2 NHTSA recalls on record and 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Its overall NHTSA crash-test rating is 5 out of 5. Below is the full breakdown, plus how to check this specific vehicle by VIN before you buy in Alberta.

2

Open recalls

15

Complaints

5

Overall safety

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2021 Nissan Altima recalls (2)

  • STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PC795.

  • BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C3.

2021 Nissan Altima safety ratings

5

Overall

4

Front

5

Side

5

Rollover

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2021 Nissan Altima owner complaints (15)

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

    I purchased this car in April 2023 and in December 2023. I had to get a new battery when I purchased a car. They told me that there was no worries or mishaps with the vehicle they said just only normal wear and tear for is a used vehicle. My car is a 2021 Nissan Altima so the car would’ve been about two years old maybe or on his way to be in two years old when I got the car according to the Carfax and the information provided to me it only had one owner previously. I’m not sure what the person did with the car but the battery was bad fast-forward to 2025. I was hit by a F150 truck. I got T-bone I had to go to the hospital, etc. it was a pretty bad hit. My windows were cracked or excuse me broken and my airbags were not deployed. No airbag was deployed. I did have my seatbelt on when the police came. My CB was still on so my car had to go. It was towed, and then it went to a mechanic shop to be fixed by the other person‘s insurance at that time, the mechanic sent me photos and explain that there was faulty, wiring and seatbelts, and he was unsure why it would be there. He said it was a immediate safety hazard, and I should address it with North Coast as soon as possible North Coast auto Mall is where I purchased the car from when I reached out to them all they told me was all you’ve had the car for about three years now we don’t know what you may have done to the Car. I still have the photos of the faulty wiring. I’m no mechanic. I explained to them that was an accident and the airbags did not deploy and when the mechanic also confirmed that’s probably why I have not heard anything from North Coast. This is an extreme safety hazard.

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

    While heading west on interstate after a Drs. Appointment my wife was driving our 2021 Nissan Altima when suddenly there was a loss of power to the engine as if the engine was overheating or had loss of fuel or only able to slowly exit the freeway to a safe place and call a tow truck, after 1 1/2 days of diagnosing and testing. I was able to drive the vehicle with no issues for approximately 4000 miles when the exact problem has occurred this past Friday 6-19-2026

  • POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

    Often while driving the car loses power as if the power went off or I ran out of gas,,, studder for a moment then pick up power to continue to drive is the best way I can describe it. Immediately after I get a notification on the dashboard saying maintenance something

  • ENGINE

    Dealership found metal contamination in oil pan from engine. They diagnosed as car needing a new engine due to engine failure. The car only has 90,000 miles and it’s a 2021.

  • LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

    Rear door actuator failed again.

  • SEAT BELTS

    The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving on four occasions, the front driver's side seat belt unintendedly unbuckled. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

  • STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    Steering wheel module buttons are not working . / needs a sensor replaced - recalibration.

  • SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

    The system malfunctioning is the front sensor braking. My safety and others were put at risk with this because multiple times my car has braked me and or completely stopped me because it’s malfunctioning , it happens while I am on a busy street and someone even almost rear ended me because my car braked out of nowhere. It’s called “Phantom Braking”. No, the problem has not been confirmed by dealer became they stopped answering. I took it to the manufacture but they want to charge me too much. Yes and it first appeared Feb 2nd , a day after I bought the car. So at first it will aggressively brake me and I can tell when it’s going to start braking me because this loud scratching/grinding noise appear .. the noise sounds like it’s coming from the bottom and I can feel it vibrating my car when I relax my feet on the brakes or the floor. But as soon as that noise comes on then the car starts braking me and sometimes it will cause the engine to stall and then the car will stop driving completely while im on the middle of traffic.

  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that after stopping at a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was determined that there was debris in the engine oil pan. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, and debris was found in the engine oil pan. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHSTA Campaign: 26V080000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    Passenger back locks stopped working first. Then driver side back locks. Now both driver and passenger front locks will not lock/unlock automatically. This is scary when not being able to get in/out of vehicle for an emergency. I have reviewed multiple complaints and it appears this is a very common Nissan problem that needs to be addressed before it becomes a bigger safety problem.

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    Back up camera display distorted

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

    Vehicle Breaking on Its Own While Driving I am writing to file a formal safety complaint and to demand immediate corporate intervention regarding an extremely dangerous mechanical/ADAS defect. My Nissan Altima has serious, ongoing safety issues where the vehicle will unexpectedly and aggressively apply the brakes on its own while I am driving, including on highways and regular roads. This defect happens without my input, without warning, and creates a major risk of being rear-ended, losing control of the vehicle, or causing a serious accident. This issue is Not minor. It is a life-threatening malfunction that makes the vehicle unsafe to operate. I have taken the vehicle to authorized Nissan dealerships for diagnosis and repair on multiple occasions & originally they told me it should be under warranty & when they spoke to the dealership they said it did not qualify under the warranty nor the extra insurance purchased & i'd have to come out of pocket for repairs. A vehicle that breaks on its own, especially at highway speeds – is not safe, not reliable, and not roadworthy. This situation has gone on for years and the vehicle is now a clear danger to me and the public and my three minor children who ride in the car with me. I am requesting immediate action and a good-faith resolution.

  • FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

    RE: Formal Demand for Vehicle Repurchase/ Buyback due to Critical Safety Defect- Vehicle Breaking on Its Own While Driving I am writing to file a formal safety complaint and to demand immediate corporate intervention regarding an extremely dangerous mechanical/ADAS defect in my vehicle that Nissan has failed to repair since I purchased it in 2021. My Nissan Altima has serious, ongoing safety issues where the vehicle will unexpectedly and aggressively apply the brakes on its own while I am driving, including on highways and regular roads. This defect happens without my input, without warning, and creates a major risk of being rear-ended, losing control of the vehicle, or causing a serious accident. This issue is Not minor. It is a life-threatening malfunction that makes the vehicle unsafe to operate. I have taken the vehicle to authorized Nissan dealerships for diagnosis and repair on multiple occasions: Repair Dates 2021-2025 at Passport Nissan of Alexandria 150 S Pickett St Alexandria, VA Location Despite these visits, the problem continues. Nissan’s failure to diagnose or repair this critical break/self-braking issue over several years constitutes: •Failure to remedy a known safety defect •Breach of warranty •Violation of consumer protection laws •Negligence regarding driver and public safety A vehicle that breaks on its own, especially at highway speeds – is not safe, not reliable, and not roadworthy. Because Nissan has had more than a reasonable opportunity since 2021 to correct this defect and has failed to do so, I am demanding that Nissan: 1.Buy back the vehicle at an amount equal to the remaining loan balance. I do not want to do any upgrade trade ins. This situation has gone on for years and the vehicle is now a clear danger to me and the public and my two minor children who ride in the car with me. I am requesting immediate action and a good-faith resolution.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    Hi this is in reference to my 2021 Nissan altima. The fob key entry and electrical door control doesn't work. The automator for my doors have had to be replaced. First the rear passenger and five days later the rear passenger door on drivers side and now the drivers door. As a single female this is a safety issue. If I can't access my vehicle in an emergency it turns into a life or death situation. I've researched this and many owners of like vehicle have had this complaint and reported it, but appears that Nissan has ignored it. When my repairs are done it isn't inexpensive. Please please please!!! Look into this. Please and thank you. Tempe dodge chrysler and jeep Tempe Az is where the repairs are done. Jon (833) 552-1518 service department

  • FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

    The Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in my 2021 Nissan Altima SR frequently malfunctions. The forward radar sensor, located behind the front grille, becomes easily obstructed by normal road dirt or weather conditions. When this happens, the system falsely detects obstacles and engages braking or gives collision warnings even when the road ahead is clear. This places my safety and the safety of others at risk because the vehicle can suddenly slow or stop without cause, increasing the chance of a rear-end collision. To avoid false activations, I must disable the AEB system every time I drive, which defeats the purpose of having this federally mandated safety feature. The problem is ongoing and repeatable. Warning lights and collision alerts appear when the sensor is dirty or misreading conditions. Nissan dealerships have acknowledged this issue through Technical Service Bulletins, but there is no permanent fix and no recall. The malfunction has not been resolved by the manufacturer and continues to pose a safety hazard.

Checking a used Nissan Altima before you buy

The recall, complaint, and safety data above describes the 2021 Altima in general. To know the condition and history of the specific vehicle you're looking at, check it by VIN. A VIN check shows whether this particular Altima's recalls are still outstanding, and a full history report adds accident, title, and ownership records the data above can't show.

Before you buy a 2021 Nissan Altima in Alberta:

See other model years of the Nissan Altima, or browse more Nissan models.

2021 Nissan Altima — questions and answers

Does the 2021 Nissan Altima have any recalls?+

Our check found 2 NHTSA recalls associated with the 2021 Nissan Altima. Check the specific vehicle by VIN to see which remain outstanding, since some may already have been repaired. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

How many complaints does the 2021 Nissan Altima have?+

NHTSA lists 15 owner complaints for the 2021 Nissan Altima in our results. Complaints are problems reported by owners and don't always lead to a recall, but a pattern of similar complaints is worth weighing before you buy.

Is the 2021 Nissan Altima safe?+

The 2021 Nissan Altima has an overall NHTSA crash-test rating of 5. Review the front-crash, side-crash, and rollover ratings above, and pair safety ratings with a mechanical inspection of the specific vehicle.

How do I check a 2021 Nissan Altima VIN?+

Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN into our free VIN check to see recalls, complaints, and safety ratings for that exact vehicle, then run an Alberta Personal Property Registry (PPR) lien search before you pay.

Are recall repairs on a Nissan free?+

Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no cost by a franchised Nissan dealer, even for a used vehicle and even if you're not the original owner. Confirm the required parts are in stock before relying on the fix.

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