The 2015 Nissan Altima has 951 NHTSA owner complaints and 10 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is lighting at 262 complaints (~$250 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
0
Critical
10
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2015 Altima?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Powertrain: 157 complaints, classified severe
Body: 45 complaints, classified severe
Reliability score 4.8/10 — below the segment average
10 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2015 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2015 Nissan Altima? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
lighting — 262 owner reports
· ~$250 to fix
airbags — 157 owner reports
· ~$1,100 to fix
powertrain — 157 owner reports
· ~$2,500 to fix
suspension — 51 owner reports
· ~$900 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 10 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 4.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2015 Altima· powertrain
Transmission went out with no warning. Ran fine the night before, the next morning I couldn't go anywhere. Shop has confirmed by code that is being thrown the transmission has went out, $2900 fix.
I took my car to be serviced at discount tire shop in hollywood, california. I paid $195.00 to have my brakes replaced, because the brakes were squeaking. I re-quested having my brakes replaced. Not once did the tech ask if I wanted my old brakes confiscated. The tech told me…
My 2015 altima airbag lights were on, I brought the car in for servicing on december 23rd to cover the recall. On the 29th with wife in car airbag light came back on dashboard. Sensor does not work properly in seat. Wife weighs over 120 pounds. I looked online and found…
I was driving my 2015 Nissan altima on the road and there was heavy traffic so it was sort of stop and go and lots of idling. Each time I pressed on the gas, it seems the car hesitated to go. After I got to my destination, I then drove onto interstate 85 in gastonia, north…
Had a problem with your 2015 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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.
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 Owners 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.
If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.
Fix: 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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 4.8 out of 10 based on 951 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 Nissan Altima has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2015 Nissan Altima?
The 2015 Nissan Altima is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 157 complaints, classified severe; Body: 45 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 4.8/10 — below the segment average; 10 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2015 Nissan Altima?
Inspect the lighting first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 262 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2015 Nissan Altima a good used car to buy?
It scores 4.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 951 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is lighting. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2015 Nissan Altima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is lighting, with 262 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The lighting is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Altima has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2015 Nissan Altima?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 951 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $250, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 12 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Nissan/Altima.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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