DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Nissan Altima steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Nissan Altima have filed 48 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 28,500 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
48
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Altima | 12 |
| 2012 Altima | 16 |
| 2013 Altima | 94 |
| 2014 Altima | 58 |
| 2015 Altima (this page) | 48 |
| 2016 Altima | 16 |
| 2017 Altima | 15 |
| 2018 Altima | 12 |
| 2019 Altima | 3 |
1crash
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 48 steering 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 steering 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.
DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014-2018 ALTIMA; HYDRAULIC ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES section has been revised. No other changes have been made. Please discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014-2017 ALTIMA; HYDRAULIC ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES section has been revised and information on page 10 has been added. No other changes have been made. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION If the configuration of the Audio/Navigation unit has not been completed correctly, some of the symptoms that may occur are: * Intermittent or no back up camera operation * No steering wheel switch response to audio inputs * No volume response from volume knob * Volume very loud or very quiet and adjustment is overly sensitive * Equalizer is adjusted so that Bass control is at maximum all the time * DTC U1000 for AVM C/U could be present If the above symptoms occur: * Confirm the configuration of the Audio/Navigation unit is correct. NOTE: Correct configuration of the appropriate control unit will restore correct operation. Audio/Navigation unit configuration is outlined
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Steering problems dominate 2015 Altima complaints. The electric power steering pump fails repeatedly—dealers replace it, but the same issue recurs within days or weeks. Owners describe the steering wheel going stiff without warning, requiring excessive force to turn, sometimes while driving at highway speed. One owner's pump failed at 3,000 miles, again shortly after replacement, then the steering shaft needed replacement too.
Lane tracking is a widespread complaint. Vehicles drift left or right unpredictably at 55+ mph, requiring constant steering correction. Dealerships test-drive the cars, declare them "within tolerance," and send owners away. Nissan specialists tell owners the problem is normal. One customer nearly hit a median after the car drifted; another describes the steering wheel needing to be held at the bottom edge just to keep the car straight.
Lower rear control arms corrode and crack, then snap while driving. The corrosion is visible and severe, yet dealers initially miss it or claim nothing is wrong. Once broken, the vehicle becomes uncontrollable—one owner's car fishtailed across lanes at under 20 mph. The problem mirrors a recall on 2013–2014 models, but Nissan has not extended coverage to 2015 models. Front control arms also crack prematurely at 36,400 miles.
Steering vibration and shimmy are constant complaints, especially above 40 mph. Pump replacement does not fix it. Owners also report the entire suspension wearing out prematurely—struts replaced twice, shocks, bushings, tie rods all failing by 115,000 miles despite careful maintenance. Nissan's extended warranty companies obstruct repairs or refuse coverage until parts physically break.
Multiple owners describe safety-critical near-misses: sudden power steering loss during turns, inability to steer while braking, and loss of vehicle control that almost caused collisions. Nissan has refused repurchase requests in most cases.
Same Nissan Altima steering reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Electric Power Steering Pump Failure
Electric hydraulic power steering pump loses functionality, causing steering to become stiff, difficult to turn, or inoperative. Owners report sudden loss of power assistance during driving, requiring excessive force to steer or losing steering control altogether. Pump replacement is common but failures recur.
When: 3,000 miles to 68,656 miles; failures reported as early as 3 months of ownership and up to 8+ years
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes stiff or hard to turn; Sudden loss of power steering assistance mid-drive; High-pitched whining or grinding noise from steering system; Steering wheel vibration; Loud 'dentist drill' noise when turning wheel; Steering becomes firm momentarily then self-resolves intermittently; Loss of power steering for seconds at a time requiring manual control
Codes mentioned: P0500 (indirectly related to steering control issues)
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replacement quoted at $1,800 including labor; pump replaced multiple times in some cases; steering fluid replacement ($100) attempted but failures recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan Corp initially refused to help under warranty in some cases; some repairs later covered by manufacturer after multiple failures; Nissan stated pump replacements were correct fix despite recurring issues
Power Steering System Electrical Faults
Wiring harness corrosion and electrical connection failures in the power steering system. Dealers report rusty nuts and loose electrical contacts causing intermittent loss of power steering function. Problem occurs after initial repairs, suggesting underlying electrical degradation.
When: As early as 3,000 miles; recurrence within days to weeks of initial repair
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes stiff without warning; Intermittent power steering loss during turns; Steering regains function momentarily then fails again; Electrical contact corrosion visible at connections
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring harness repair and electrical contact polishing performed; no lasting resolution reported by owners
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan stated repairs were complete; refused further warranty assistance when failures recurred; told owner to contact manufacturer again if problem reoccurs
Steering Rack and Pinion Excessive Play
Rack and pinion steering assembly develops excessive free play and cannot maintain straight-line tracking. Vehicle wanders across lanes or requires constant steering wheel correction. Owners report the problem confirmed by dealership as factory defect but left unrepaired.
When: 19,000 to 115,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive play in steering wheel; Vehicle wanders or drifts side-to-side on straight roads; Cannot maintain straight line without constant correction; Steering wheel off-center to keep vehicle tracking straight; More severe in windy conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replacement needed; one owner reported alignment shop diagnosed play in rack; parts costs not specified but repair indicated as necessary
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response or recall for this issue; dealership acknowledged factory defect but did not repair
Lower Control Arm Corrosion and Failure
Rear lower control arms corrode, develop cracks, and break during normal driving. Corrosion appears severe and occurs at relatively low mileages. When armed breaks, vehicle becomes uncontrollable. Nissan has a recall for 2013-2014 models for the same issue but did not extend to 2015.
When: 36,400 to 130,000 miles; corrosion present for extended period before failure
Symptoms owners cite: Creaking noise from rear suspension; Vehicle pulls hard to one side; Fishtailing when control arm breaks; Vehicle becomes impossible to control; Steering wheel off-center angle when arm fails; Right rear tire angled inward at harsh angle; Visible rust on control arm; Wobbly steering at low speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Complete replacement of corroded lower control arms required; front control arms also cracking at 36,400 miles; one owner paid for repairs out-of-pocket after dealership confirmed failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan refuses to cover front control arm replacement at 36,400 miles despite abnormal early failure; extended warranty only covers replacement after arm is physically broken, not while corroded
Upper and Lower Steering Shaft Damage
Steering shaft components (upper and lower) deteriorate or become damaged, causing play and control issues. Owners report needing shaft replacement after suspension repairs fail to resolve steering problems.
When: 100,000+ miles after extended suspension work
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive play in steering wheel after other repairs; Steering wanders despite new control arms and tie rods; Vehicle continues drifting despite alignment
Repairs/costs cited: Lower steering shaft replaced; upper steering shaft identified as needing replacement at 115,000 miles
Steering Vibration and Shimmy
Continuous vibration in steering wheel and steering column, particularly at speeds above 40 mph. Owners report shimmy in steering column that persists despite multiple repairs including pump replacement and suspension work.
When: Early in ownership; 4 miles to 73,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibrates continuously; Vibration worsens at higher speeds; Shimmy in steering column above 40 mph; Vibration felt in accelerator pedal and floorboards; Distracting and annoying noise accompanies vibration
Repairs/costs cited: No successful repairs noted; power steering pump replacement did not resolve; issue persists across multiple repair attempts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan stated vibration was normal for the vehicle and CVT transmission; refused warranty repair
Lane Departure and Directional Instability
Vehicle drifts or pulls unpredictably to left or right at highway speeds (55+ mph), requiring constant steering correction. Steering response is sluggish or unpredictable when driver attempts to return to center lane. Problem is severe enough to cause near-accidents. Dealership diagnostics yield no findings despite confirmed problem.
When: 16,500 to 115,000+ miles; some cases reported within 2 months of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Drifting left or right without warning at highway speeds; Sluggish or delayed steering response; Difficulty keeping vehicle in center lane; Steering wheel requires bottom-hand grip for better control; Pulling to right becomes severe, over-compensates to left; Worsened in windy conditions; Vehicle wanders side-to-side on straight road; No easy transition back to center after drift
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to identify cause; stated vehicle is within tolerance despite owners' reports of danger; no repairs performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan stated vehicle is within tolerance and nothing can be done; specialist sent by manufacturer said issue was normal; refused to acknowledge defect
Suspension Component Wear and Misalignment
Multiple suspension components (struts, shocks, sway bar links, tie rods, bushings) fail or wear excessively at low mileages. Owner replaced entire front suspension twice and rear shocks, yet steering issues persisted. Problem suggests underlying structural or assembly issue causing cascading component failures.
When: 73,000 to 115,000 miles; some components failed twice
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle continues drifting after suspension work; Creaking from suspension; Loose or wobbly sensation in suspension; Steering wanders despite new suspension components
Repairs/costs cited: Front struts replaced twice; rear shocks replaced; control arms (upper and lower) replaced; bushings replaced; sway bar links replaced; tie rods replaced; alignment performed 3 times over 2 years; total suspension rebuild at 115,000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty company delayed and obstructed repairs; warranty only covers after parts fail, not preventatively
Steering System Assembly Quality Issues
Multiple structural and assembly defects in steering system visible from factory. Exposed wiring under steering wheel, misaligned components, and poor manufacturing quality contribute to premature steering failures.
When: From factory/delivery
Symptoms owners cite: Wires hanging out under steering wheel; Visible poor assembly quality; Plastic steering wheel clasp becomes loose
Repairs/costs cited: Plastic clasp fracture allowed water intrusion into vehicle interior
Synthesized from 48 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2015 Nissan Altima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 48 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 15,500 and 55,000 miles, with the median around 28,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,500; a quarter make it past 55,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.