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ProblemsByVin Index / 2021-NISSAN-ALTIMA / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2021 Nissan Altima owner complaints

61 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 1 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

brakes 6 complaints shown

13 total in this category · severe · avg repair $450 · see brakes cluster analysis →
09/29/2024 ODI #11617082.0

Every time I drive under an over pass my vehicle will come to a stop. Placing me in DANGER with traffic.

09/28/2023 ODI #11547087.0

When traveling in a rental from SFO to Concord CA, on the Bay Bridge at 9 am on the 26 of September 2023, just as I entered the underpass section near Treasure Island, the front sensor malfunctioned and auto braked from 47 mph to 28, generated audible, tactile, and visual alarms, even though the car in front was not decelerating (auto lights, tail lights in from of me as the car went into a dark section of road may have been misinterpreted). I was almost crashed into. Scariest experience in 37 years of driving. No over ride.

09/27/2024 ODI #11616799.0

I Serviced my vehicle with a Nissan Dealership, and was told brake pads were good. Within a couple of weeks there was a scratching sound like the brake warning indicator. I brought my car to a mechanic to be repaired but brake pads were confirmed to be fine. Further investigation indicates a bad brake caliper in the rear. Mechanic contacted Nissan to order a rear caliper and was told it’s a known issue with the rear calipers. With the caliper not functioning properly this is a direct safety violation and can cause my brakes to seize or not function hindering my/others ability to stop. I will have the repairs done with my mechanic and I have submitted a case file with Nissan. If Nissan is aware of the brake calipers having issues then this should be on the recall list and immediately fixed.

08/17/2022 ODI #11479767.0

The forward emergency braking system periodically will engage with no reason. I did not record the first date this happened. It was in July 2021. This first happened not long after I purchased the car last year on the interstate in heavy traffic with low speed and nothing close enough to set it off. Sometimes just the emergency light will just appear and disappear quickly and sometimes it comes on and the brakes go on. The dealer service and the regional technician has inspected it a few times and could find no error but it only happens sporadically. I checked recently and there is a class action suit against Nissan for the same problem in Tennessee. There seems to be the same problem with other models from 2019 to present.

08/05/2023 ODI #11536676.0

1. The automatic emergency braking activated while approaching a railway crossing. And yes, it is available for inspection. 2. If anyone had been behind me, it very likely would have resulted in a collision. 3. Not yet confirmed by the dealer, but has happened to me three times. 4. No. 5. No warning before the malfunction.

08/04/2023 ODI #11536598.0

While driving, most times at higher speeds, the light with the car and lines behind it (VDC light?) will turn on, and then a minute later the front and back AEB lights turn on and the dashboard says “malfunction: see owner’s manual.” This happens multiple times per week, sometimes multiple times a day. There have been other recalls for this issue with other Nissan Altima years with this system.

electrical 5 complaints shown

15 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/26/2025 ODI #11707198.0

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 un

12/07/2024 ODI #11629419.0

The passenger side door won’t unlock at all. By remote nor manually.

11/21/2025 ODI #11700747.0

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

11/20/2023 ODI #11556162.0

3out of 4 door lock actuators went out .three of the doors can’t be locked from driver side and don’t automatically lock when the car is being driven.problem has been confirmed by an independent center.there were no prior warnings.

08/25/2022 17,000 mi ODI #11481199.0

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH in a rainstorm, the automatic emergency braking system warning light illuminated, however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact continued to drive and noticed that once they cleared the rainstorm the warning light disengaged. The contact informed the dealer and was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA ID Number: 10207869 (Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the rainstorm could have caused water to enter into the sensors for the automatic emergency

other 5 complaints shown

12/10/2024 ODI #11629804.0

When it rains I cannot see using the backup camera at all. Car also gives false alerts when backing up when raining or after rain.

12/04/2025 ODI #11702906.0

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

11/28/2024 ODI #11627862.0

[XXX] slams on brakes going in reverse for no reason, I wish there was a way to disconnect this to me it's more of a safety issue. Problem is there trying to dumb [XXX] down for all the idiots out there that don't know how to drive.. I don't have that problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

09/03/2025 ODI #11684670.0

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 misrea

09/02/2023 ODI #11542313.0

I purchased my car from Sheehy Nissan of Waldorf on November 1, 2022. At the time of purchase the vehicle had 38,709 miles. It reportedly had one previous owner and was originally titled on 3/11/2021. From the day I purchased this vehicle I have had trouble with the automatic emergency braking system. I am experiencing sudden unintended brake activation in various situations. I have experienced the emergency braking system activating when I am driving at high speeds (60-70 mph) with nothing in front of me. I have had it automatically brake when I am in traffic maintaining safe distances and speeds. I have experienced it braking when I have been leaving a parking garage - again with nothing near or around my vehicle. When this occurs, it is when the warning lights turn off. So, it is comp

steering 3 complaints shown

6 total in this category · severe · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
12/26/2021 Crash ODI #11444993.0

While driving home from work I experienced my fourth or fifth malfunction error flashing across my digital display. It scares me because this time is different. This time the flash made the seat vibrate and before I had a chance to react, I totally lost control Of my steering even though I had my hand family placed on each side of the wheel none of my maneuvers resulting in the tires moving in any direction. I was trying to straighten myself out but the trajectory Steered me to the right side of the road and up over the curb which tore out my front end And, had it not been for my superb braking skills, id be headfirst into a big cement hole on the side of the road. Brakes We’re locked out until I pressed on them 15,000 times it seems. Fortunately I am the only one hurt, I’m grateful that

11/10/2021 ODI #11439954.0

First of all I know there is a break in period. The stering seems to be loose at times almost to loose when I’m turning , especially a more sharper turn. The brakes are loud at a stop almost like they are warped but it only has 300 miles.the suspension, brakes,,underneath the front end, and the steering do not feel like they are one unit.

09/30/2023 ODI #11547535.0

My car has a detached tie rod ball joint and is causing a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash. My children are in danger yet your site says my vin has no safety recall after I reviewed the safety recall for my vehicle and noticed a connection. I can’t afford any repairs and I shouldn’t have to risk my life over a recalled problem with my make model and year vehicle.

powertrain 1 complaint shown

12/01/2024 ODI #11628170.0

Transmission had front seal leaking.car has less than 51,ooo miles.

Showing 300 of 61 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Nissan/Altima#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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