One of the worst Altima years
Owners filed about 2.7 times as many complaints as a typical Altima year. The main thing to watch is the lights, wipers and visibility, which half of owners reported by about 80,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2018, 2020 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Altima years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 1,114 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Nissan Altima. The most reported problem area is the lights, wipers and visibility (317, 28% of complaints), followed by the transmission and drivetrain and the air bags. That ranks 2nd of 13 Altima years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 8 recalls.
8 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
Get recall alerts for your 2014 Altima
Add it to My Garage, free. We email you when a new recall is issued for it, plus service reminders and what it is worth each month.
Add it to My GarageStart a free car search
Tell us what you want in a 2014 Altima and your budget. We review every request and show you how we can help you find a good one and skip the bad years.
Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2014 Nissan Altima before you buy.
Lights, wipers and visibility
317 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
My 2014 Nissan Altima has experienced loss of visibility from the headlights significantly to the point of feeling unsafe driving at night. I believe the cause of these issue is due to degradation of the reflective coating within the headlamps. New bulbs installed have not improved the quality of the headlights performance leading me to…Owner complaint, filed 2026
-Upon research, it appears my Nissan has an issue with the headlight lamps that have caused the low beams to diminish over time. This is a recorded defect (class action lawsuit [XXX], et al. v. Nissan North America, Inc.) of Nissan Altimas years 2013-2018. -There is a Nissan Dealership in my city I can take the vehicle to for further…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
209 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 70,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle shuddered uncontrollably and stalled. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the road. The contact turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle 20 minutes later, the failure recurred while driving, and the…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 98,000 miles
While driving, my transmission stopped accelerating, and started making a scraping/ticking noise. The car almost cut out in traffic, nearly causing a rear end collision!Owner complaint, filed 2024
Air bags
208 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 22,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
As far as I am aware there are no causes to the failure but the sensor of the left panel on the driver side airbag is alerting. Nissan checked it and advised it would be @ $2000 to repair because it required the replacement of the entire driver side chair. However I am now being told that they don't have/make the replacement part(s)…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Airbag light for driver turned on and took it to the dealership to get it fixed. They fixed it but it came back on and they reset it. A few months later it turned back on and they said they couldn't fix it because that part was not available anymore.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Suspension
132 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 100,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
Right rear lower control arm fully broke while traveling 35 mph and going around a curve. The car immediately pulled hard right into the adjacent lane. Fortunately, there were no vehicles in that lane at the moment. I have contacted the dealership. This issue is addressed in Service Bulletin NTB21-045. However, the local dealership will…Owner complaint, filed 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The rear control arm (rear suspension component) failed catastrophically by snapping while the vehicle was in motion. This is a critical structural component responsible for maintaining proper wheel alignment and vehicle stability. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Body, doors and structure
83 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 58,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (48), Hood: latch (12).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the hood unlatched, rose, and cracked the windshield. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 139,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V315000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the recall repair was not completed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 193,000 miles
Engine and cooling
80 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 65,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was driving on a 2 lane highway when my car starting bucking and completely went dead. I walked to a station where i got help. after that it happened again and I had to be towed. After having car looked at by 2 mechanics I found out it was the transmission. The mechanic said he was surprised as I didn't even have 70,000 miles on car.…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a Service Station where the contact used a self-diagnostic tool to determine that the Transmission Control…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 130,000 miles
Electrical system
71 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 32,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Information entertainment system is completely inoperable. no backup camera or navigation or audio. Screen is black no power. without cameras there is safety risk to those near vehicle. Dealer quoted nearly $200 to look at it and run a diagnostic. we declined this offer but am willing to have it inspected. There are no messages or…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that she noticed that the display screen and instrument panel were blank. The contact stated that the vehicle was inoperable. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 50,000 miles
Steering
58 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 13,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became firm and difficult to turn in either direction. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that both front suspension control arms needed to be replaced.…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 78,333 miles
While driving on a highway at approximately 40 mph. My car lurched and felt like I lost control of the steering. I slowed down and it felt like the car was straight but the steering wheel was turned. I thought maybe I had a flat tire. I drove again slower and the same thing happened. I heard a sound that sounded like a flat tire- a…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Brakes and stability control
39 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2014 nissan altima. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into reverse, the vehicle made an abnormal squeaking noise when the brake pedal was depressed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to lokey nissan (27758 us hwy 19 n, clearwater, fl 33761) where she was informed…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 38,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 nissan altima. While driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the brakes failed to engage. As a result, the contact was involved in a front end collision. The contact sustained a concussion that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to secret city chrysler jeep…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 50,000 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
27 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 32,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
I own a Nissan Altima 2014 SV 4 cylinder. While driving the car stops moving and it just relies on momentum, the gas pedal stops functioning. This has happened to me multiple times I then have to turn off the car and turn it back on so it can work and it does the same thing again. I stepped on the gas pedal all the way to the floor and…Owner complaint, filed 2022
When the car is at a complete stop and the light turns green and it’s time to go it has a small delay for about 4-6 seconds where the car won’t move. It picks up after those 4-6 seconds. Once you turn off the car it resets itself but later on through the day it happens again . It happens to me about 2 times a day. It’s extremely scary…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Fuel system
25 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
On my 2014 Nissan Altima, sometimes from a stop when accelerating there is a delay. RPM's do not go up, just no movement. But if you leave the gas pedal engaged when the motor decides to work it hits hard. The danger is entering traffic. It's very scary. If it was to happen to my wife she would panic and press the accelerator more and…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Fuel tank detachment occurs. Defective fasteners. Rubbing sound occurs when turning, backing up and high speeds. First happened in july2018...had fuel tank completely replaced. Now there's a problem again.Owner complaint, filed 2018
Seats and seat belts
23 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Left rear seat seatbelt latch will not lock. Tried middle seat position belt tongue in the left rear latch and confirmed the latch does not engage.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Driver side seat belt, secured portion bolt is backing out and/loose. Fear of fast stop or accident seat belt restraint will not hold.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 143,376 miles
Wheels and tires
14 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 100,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Rear passenger wheel has been rattling for a year. While driving (right now), car began to fishtail going approx 35mph. Was able to pull off and avoid accident. Upon examination, described wheel is no longer facing forward and is facing inward. Likely that the rear controller snapped. There is a service campaign for this exact issue.…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2014 nissan altima. The contacted stated while driving about 65 MPH the contact heard an abnormal noise. The contact was unable to identify were the noise came from. The vehicle was taken to marlboro nissan (740 boston post rd e, marlborough, ma 01752 508-481-3232) and the contact was informed that the rear passenger…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 104,000 miles
Driver assist systems
7 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
Blind side zone detection on both sides of the vehicle malfunction during times of rainy weather. I have taken the car into dealership several times for this issue and filed a complaint with nissan ( case # [xxx] being handled by [xxx]). Both dealership and nissan have said that this issue can not be repaired. At issue is that during…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 20,000 miles
Rear lower control replaced on recall repair. Dealer diagnosed front control arm needed repair but refuse to complete repair. I paid out of pocket for front. When both front and rear control arm should have been replace under recallOwner complaint, filed 2024
Nissan Altima complaints by year
Compare the 2014 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2014 midsize cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Nissan Altima | Among the worst years | 8 |
| 2014 Toyota Camry | Worse than most years | 3 |
| 2014 Honda Accord | Worse than most years | 4 |
| 2014 Hyundai Sonata | About average | 7 |
2014 Nissan Altima recalls
Doors, hood and latches
- Risk
- Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
- Fix
- 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 Owner's Manual addendum card with instructions on how to…
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags Occupant classification
- 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.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags Occupant classification
- 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.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify their owners.
Full recall summary
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.
Doors, hood and latches
- Risk
- If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Fix
- These vehicles were previously included in recalls 14V-565 and 15V-116, however the previous remedy plan may not have been performed consistently to remove the safety risk.
Full recall summary
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to December 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Air bags
- Risk
- If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
Fuel system
- Risk
- If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit.
Full recall summary
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the agency on July 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 18, 2015. On October 14, 2015, Nissan expanded the recall to cover an additional 41,388 vehicles, including certain model year 2013-2015 Altima 3.5 vehicles equipped with a V6 engine manufactured March 30, 2012, to August 18, 2015 as well as the vehicles covered by the July 31, 2015 notification. In the affected vehicles, due to an improperly installed o-ring that may not have been seated correctly at the time of assembly, fuel may leak during a crash from the area where the fuel sending unit attaches to the fuel tank.
Doors, hood and latches
- Risk
- If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will be instructed to modify the bend angle of the hood actuation lever to eliminate potential interference with the hood inner panel.
Full recall summary
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Electrical system
- Risk
- If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
2014 Nissan Altima questions
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Nissan Altima?
The most reported problem areas on the 2014 Nissan Altima are the lights, wipers and visibility (317 complaints), the transmission and drivetrain (209 complaints) and the air bags (208 complaints).
Is the 2014 Nissan Altima a good year to buy?
One of the worst Altima years. Owners filed about 2.7 times as many complaints as a typical Altima year. The main thing to watch is the lights, wipers and visibility, which half of owners reported by about 80,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2018, 2020 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Altima years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2014 Nissan Altima have?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2014 Nissan Altima. The most recent, from May 2020, covers the doors, hood and latches. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2014 Nissan Altima problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the lights, wipers and visibility gave a mileage of about 80,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 70,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Nissan Altima years should I avoid?
The Altima years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013, 2014 and 2015. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2018, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2014 Nissan Altima?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model