CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver s
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Nissan Altima body problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Nissan Altima have filed 45 NHTSA complaints about the body, typically surfacing around 60,000 miles at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
45
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Altima | 21 |
| 2012 Altima | 28 |
| 2013 Altima | 99 |
| 2014 Altima | 36 |
| 2015 Altima (this page) | 45 |
| 2016 Altima | 22 |
| 2017 Altima | 17 |
| 2019 Altima | 3 |
3crashes
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 45 body complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver s
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗THEFT ALARM SOUNDS WHEN VEHICLE IS LOCKED, UNLOCKED, OR DOOR/TRUNK OPENED IF YOU CONFIRM Intermittently, the theft alarm triggers (horn sounds and lights flash) when one of the following occur: - Using the lock, unlock, or trunk open function on the Intelligent Key - Pushing a handle request switch (door or trunk) - Opening a door or the trunk with the vehicle unlocked and CONSULT-III plus (C-III plus) shows the last item to trigger the theft alarm is BATTERY. - Refer to Check Last Item to Trigger Theft Alarm on the next page. ACTION Replace the Body Control Module (BCM). - Refer to the Electronic Service Manual, section BCS-Body Control Systems, for replacement information. - Use the new BC
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2015 Altima's body has multiple safety-critical failure modes that owners document repeatedly across this complaint set.
The hood latch is the dominant issue—it fails to secure or releases during driving at speeds from 25 to 70 MPH, causing the hood to either fly fully open or strike the windshield, obstructing vision and damaging fenders, hood, and glass. Owners report rust forming on the latch as a contributing mechanism. Many report the safety cable still works after primary-latch failure, meaning the hood won't fall completely free but remains dangerously loose. Nissan issued Campaign 16V029000 and later Campaign 20V-315 (secondary hood latch), but excluded many VINs; owners report Nissan refuses to cover damage, claiming rust causation—even as the recall itself acknowledges rust as the failure mechanism.
Door latch and window interaction: Rolling down rear windows can trigger the door release lever, causing doors to pop open while driving or parked. Rear doors also fail to lock or open from inside, trapping occupants. One owner's husband rerouted cables as a DIY workaround.
Sun visor failures occur at 40,000–74,500 miles, with the driver's side visor dropping unexpectedly and obstructing vision at highway speeds. One visor completely detached. A dealer told one owner this is normal.
Secondary issues include spontaneous sunroof glass shattering in heat (no impact), trunk failure to latch after recall service (owner drove 200 miles with it tied shut), and high-centering on speed bumps that scrapes or damages undercarriage.
Same Nissan Altima body reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Hood latch failure / hood opens in motion
Hood latch fails to secure or releases during driving, causing the hood to fly open. This occurs across a wide range of speeds (25-70 MPH) and creates immediate visibility loss and safety hazards. Owners report the hood either flies fully open, strikes the windshield, or rests on it. Multiple owners cite rust formation on the latch mechanism as a contributing factor. Some owners report the hood won't close properly after initial failure, and others note the safety cable still works but the primary latch is compromised.
When: Reported across various mileages from 40,000 to 112,000 miles; failures occurred during normal highway and city driving within 2-3 years of ownership for many
Symptoms owners cite: Hood opens unexpectedly while driving at highway speeds; Hood flies up and strikes windshield; Hood rests on windshield obscuring driver vision; Inability to close hood securely after initial failure; Rust visible on hood latch mechanism; Hood release lever stops working; Hood opens repeatedly on same trip
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report hood latch replacement required; one owner stated husband rerouted door cables as DIY fix; dealerships cited rust as cause in some cases; some repairs performed at dealership, others at body shops due to denial of coverage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V029000 (latches/locks/linkages) and secondary hood latch recall issued May 2020 (Campaign 20V-315); however, many owners' VINs excluded from recalls; Nissan initially denied coverage citing VIN exclusion; later recall notice promised remedy by mid-2021 but owners report no fix available; owners report Nissan refusing to cover damage claiming rust causation despite acknowledging rust as mechanism in recall itself
Door opening or unlocking in motion / window interaction with door release
Vehicle doors open unexpectedly while driving or parked, or unlock without input. In one clear case, rolling down a rear window causes the door to pop open — the window strikes the door release mechanism. In other cases, rear doors unlock or swing open while vehicle is moving, and passengers report inability to open rear doors from inside. These failures create ejection risk and inability to secure occupants.
When: Reported during normal driving and while parked; one case during test drive immediately after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Door pops open when window is rolled down; Door cannot be closed until window is rolled back up; Door opens while vehicle is in motion; Rear door does not lock despite vehicle being locked and armed; Rear door opens from inside while parked with alarm engaged; Rear door cannot be opened from inside; requires opening window and using outside handle; Door may open while car is in motion (owner concern)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported husband rerouted cables in door as fix; most repairs not completed; dealership service noted window-to-release interaction but VIN excluded from recall coverage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan acknowledged window-to-door-release issue in recall but excluded owner's VIN from coverage; no remedy offered to excluded owners despite identical symptoms
Sun visor independently lowering or detaching
Driver's side sun visor falls down during driving, obstructing the driver's view. In one case the visor completely detached. Owners report visor unable to be repositioned while driving and dealer confirmation that failure is normal. Vision obstruction occurs at highway speeds.
When: Failures reported at 40,000 to 74,500 miles; occurs across range of driving speeds 25-70 MPH
Symptoms owners cite: Sun visor independently lowers while driving; Sun visor cannot be repositioned to upright position; Sun visor detaches from mount; Vision obstructed while driving
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported sun visor replaced August 2022; others not repaired; dealer confirmed failure was normal occurrence in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred owner to NHTSA for complaint reporting; no recall mentioned; dealer replaced visor on later service date
Sunroof spontaneous failure / explosion
Sunroof glass shattered spontaneously during highway driving in high-temperature conditions without any apparent external cause. Interior panel was closed, so no occupant injury occurred, but creates sudden loss of structural integrity and potential for injury.
When: Occurred in July 2016 during ~100F external air temperature
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof glass exploded / shattered without external impact; Occurred while interior slide panel was closed
Repairs/costs cited: No repair information provided
High-centering on speed bumps and parking obstacles
Vehicle scrapes or high-centers (gets stuck with undercarriage elevated) on speed bumps, parking barriers, and curbs. Owner reports inevitably early damage and unsafe driving conditions. Vehicle unable to navigate unpaved or rutted terrain without dragging undercarriage.
When: Ongoing issue throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle high-centers on speed humps requiring backing up; Frequent scraping on parking barriers and curbs; Unable to drive on unpaved roads with center ridge or ruts; Dragging vehicle bottom catches plant life and fire risk
Dashboard / center console glare and visibility distraction
Large area of highly reflective/shiny plastic on dashboard and center console (around stereo controls and upper vents) reflects sunlight directly into driver and passenger eyes, creating temporary blindness. Owner notes this hazard is not found on many other manufacturers' vehicles.
When: Ongoing during daytime driving
Symptoms owners cite: Highly reflective plastic reflects sun into driver and passenger eyes; Temporary blinding effect; Visibility hazard in bright sunlight
Trunk / rear hatch opening or failure to secure after recall service
Trunk opens during driving or fails to latch securely. One owner reports bringing vehicle in for trunk recall service, after which trunk opened and would not shut properly. Owner had to tie trunk closed and drive approximately 200 miles with it secured by rope, requiring constant tightening.
When: Occurred after recall service was performed in April
Symptoms owners cite: Trunk opens during driving; Trunk will not latch securely after recall service; Trunk requires external securing with rope
Repairs/costs cited: Trunk required tying closed with rope; owner drove ~200 miles with trunk secured and continuously tightened
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Trunk recall service performed but did not resolve issue; possible recall fix ineffective or incompletely installed
Synthesized from 45 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2015 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2015 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 45 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 39,500 and 74,500 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 39,500; a quarter make it past 74,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Nissan/Altima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.