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Electrical system

2021 Nissan Altima Electrical problems

Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 2021 Nissan Altima's electrical system with NHTSA - 31% of all its complaints, most recently on October 28, 2026. They describe 2 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
2
Deaths
0

Electrical complaints

Electrical systemEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the rear seat belt failed to latch securely. The instrument panel illuminated, and the seat belt warning light remained displayed with a beeping sound during and after the failure. The battery was replaced twice within one year, and the vehicle needed to be jumpstarted by AAA due to an issue associated with a sensor. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the RPC became extremely elevated. The contact stated that the vehicle...

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occasionally stalled and shut off unexpectedly. There was an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle which was associated with the radiator. Additionally, Bluetooth calls were dropped, a key fob failed to be recognized by the vehicle, and the TPMS readings were incorrect. The contact also stated that the windshield wiper malfunctioned, and that the remote control needed a battery replacement at the time of purchase, and that the vehicle was pulling to one side whenever the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The dealer associated the failure with a sensor caused by the rain. The corporate office was contacted by phone about a buyback. The approximate failure mileage was 44,011.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11774240
Electrical system

Got the car from kingdom Chevy on 66 and western on February 2024 used at 62.000. I took the car back twice because the screen in the car kept cutting off fading on and fading off. Secondly, the Bluetooth plug would not work. I did not have the car a month. They kept telling me that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. I took my vehicle to the dealer and was told that there were no recalls on the vehicle and that basically my car was one of the cars that got put in the bad batch. I was also told that the only recall...

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on this car was the hood. No one could open the hood, even if I pull the latch in the car. I explained to the guy at the Nissan dealer again that the board kept cutting on and off and all he said was it was the Bluetooth. Today my car does not start without me getting a jump. Lastly, I've been stopped by the cops three times on my way from work at night because the lights are auto and they they do not work properly. I really do not know what to do at this point. I called last week to speak to someone and I spoke to someone named David, who was not at all trying to help me, but was trying to sell me a car. He informed me that since it wasa used vehicle, the warranty has already iexpired. More importantly they are no longer kingdom Chevy. It is now under new ownership, and that they do not have access to the Records. I ended up with this vehicle because the vehicle that they recently leased to me. The engine went out once I got my oil changed at Valvoline.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11752550
Electrical system

Door lock actuators have failed completely on 2 doors, and intermittently on 1 door of a 2021 Nissan Altima. They do not respond to either the key fob or door button. There are no warnings or indicators associated with this component so it is unknown when the failures first occurred, but it was first noticed in summer of 2025. The components have not been inspected but could be made available for inspection if requested. Not being able to unlock doors could present an entrapment hazard in the event of a collision....

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The doors remaining unlocked is a safety concern as there is nothing preventing the door from potentially being opened while driving, and a security concern as the vehicle may inadvertently be left unlocked even if the lock buttons are pressed on the key fob and/or door. Numerous official and anecdotal consumer reports exist but at the time of this submittal the manufacturer has not issued any notices or recalls regarding this problem.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11748703
Electrical systemAirbagsSeats & seat beltsCrash1 injury

I purchased this car in April 2023 and in December 2023. I had to get a new battery when I purchased a car. They told me that there was no worries or mishaps with the vehicle they said just only normal wear and tear for is a used vehicle. My car is a 2021 Nissan Altima so the car would've been about two years old maybe or on his way to be in two years old when I got the car according to the Carfax and the information provided to me it only had one owner previously. I'm not sure what the person did with the car but...

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the battery was bad fast-forward to 2025. I was hit by a F150 truck. I got T-bone I had to go to the hospital, etc. it was a pretty bad hit. My windows were cracked or excuse me broken and my airbags were not deployed. No airbag was deployed. I did have my seatbelt on when the police came. My CB was still on so my car had to go. It was towed, and then it went to a mechanic shop to be fixed by the other person's insurance at that time, the mechanic sent me photos and explain that there was faulty, wiring and seatbelts, and he was unsure why it would be there. He said it was a immediate safety hazard, and I should address it with North Coast as soon as possible North Coast auto Mall is where I purchased the car from when I reached out to them all they told me was all you've had the car for about three years now we don't know what you may have done to the Car. I still have the photos of the faulty wiring. I'm no mechanic. I explained to them that was an accident and the airbags did not deploy and when the mechanic also confirmed that's probably why I have not heard anything from North Coast. This is an extreme safety hazard.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · Seat beltsNHTSA 11746502
SteeringElectrical system

Steering wheel module buttons are not working . / needs a sensor replaced - recalibration.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical systemNHTSA 11731802
Electrical system

Passenger back locks stopped working first. Then driver side back locks. Now both driver and passenger front locks will not lock/unlock automatically. This is scary when not being able to get in/out of vehicle for an emergency. I have reviewed multiple complaints and it appears this is a very common Nissan problem that needs to be addressed before it becomes a bigger safety problem.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11719275
Electrical systemBrakesDriver assistance

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,...

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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 under warranty & when they spoke to the dealership they said it did not qualify under the warranty nor the extra insurance purchased & i'd have to come out of pocket for repairs. A vehicle that breaks on its own, especially at highway speeds - is not safe, not reliable, and not roadworthy. This situation has gone on for years and the vehicle is now a clear danger to me and the public and my three minor children who ride in the car with me. I am requesting immediate action and a good-faith resolution.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Service brakes · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11707198
Electrical system

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...

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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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11700747
Electrical systemDriver assistance

Rear Crash warning comes on when stopped at light , or when car is put in reverse and nothings there . also wiper refill warning. stays on even when full. Has been reported to dealership more than once also hear clicking at speeds over 50 mph.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · Back over preventionNHTSA 11671215
Electrical system

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 35,189 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 65,543.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11666581
Electrical system

About a month ago I noticed my backup camera had gotten dark. I didn't worry much about it until it started glitching a couple days ago. I gave it a couple of days thinking it would go away but it hasn't. It either glitches with lines through it, it freezes, or goes black altogether. I then did some research on it finding that there have been recalls on the 2021 nissan altima model cameras, just not mine specifically. I'm not sure why that is but it's an issue I'm not willing to pay out of my pocket knowing that...

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it's been a year to model issue in the past. I would like this recall to be put in place and me be able to get it repaired free of charge seeing that it's an obvious danger while backing up and the fact I did not personally damage it.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11661395
Electrical systemDriver assistance

Stating that something is malfunctioning and see owners manual

Filed Incident Electrical system · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11655675
Electrical systemDriver assistance

Purchased the car in June of 2024 with around 33,000 miles. I thought the doors were locked and someone was able to just open my back door when my car was unattended in a store parking lot; the car was supposed to be locked. Lights and horn started going off. Being a female with a child this is a very scary issue. The idea that anyone can get in when you think the doors are locked or vice versa, in the event of an emergency no one can get in because the doors dont unlock. It started with the passenger side rear...

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door lock not working with fob or button. The lock needs to be done manually. The dealership looked at it and said they could not replicate the problem and everything was working. Now both rear door locks dont work with the buttons or the key fob. The rear doors have to be locked and unlocked manually all the time. Car is currently at the dealership and they confirmed the issue and are telling me that the BCM (i believe is what they said) needs to be replaced and reprogrammed. The car only has approx. 42,500 miles. The other issue with the car is the automatic emergency braking system light comes on and flashes on the dash. It is very random and sometimes it doesnt do it at all. There can be nothing in front of me on the road when it starts flashing. It also does it in all weather conditions, and even when its dry. There have been multiple issues with this car since the day I purchased it.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11640747
Electrical system

I was driving with my child in the car and the volume on the radio spiked to an extremely high level. This has happened multiple times and the volume control knob is defective so I cannot turn down the volume or the radio off. I brought the vehicle into the Nissan dealer and they diagnosed an internal failure to the A/V control unit and recommended replacing this. When the volume spikes to full blast, I cannot turn the radio off. They are charging $2000 to have this repaired even though it's a safety hazard and I am distracted while driving to keep trying to turn the volume off or the radio off. The controls do not work and they independently turn the volume on full blast.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11639436
Electrical system

Passenger door won't unlock at all

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11638520
SteeringElectrical systemBrakesFire

Due to the Pasadena wildfires the car has been highly affected due to the extreme heat and the ashes

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · Service brakesNHTSA 11636408
Electrical system

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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11629419
Electrical systemDriver assistance

The car rear impact warning comes on when driving this has happened at least 5 times Also the windshield washer fluid light comes on even though the reservoir is full

Filed Incident Electrical system · Back over preventionNHTSA 11594614
Electrical system

Based on comments from various post online, it is a common issue that the doors' lock on altimas with no warning or reasoning just stop working. Whatever position the lock is in, is the one that the lock will stay on even if a safety feature that's advertised and you expect is for the Altima to automatically lock up when you begin to drive. At this point my personal Altima has not been inspected or fixed by anyone, just a day to day experience of having to check my backseat before getting in to make sure no one is...

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in the back of my car because the doors do not lock. It's been since about February that the car doors locking mechanism will not engage on two of my car doors, even if you press the lock/unlock switch inside of the door, the lock/unlock button on the key fob, nor the button on the outside of the door handle.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11582742
Electrical system

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.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11556162
Electrical systemDriver assistance

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...

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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 brake to become defective. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11481199
SteeringElectrical systemDriver assistanceCrash1 injury

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...

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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 no one else has been involved in this malfunction of supposed quality machinery. But this is a ridiculous thing to have happened to listen 1000 miles in the car, this thing has been malfunctioning since the first day that I drove it off the lot. No clue who to get in touch until I started researching this Very same thing, and I am terrified for anyone else driving one of these vehicles right now, because It can Totally happened to you, and you may not be so lucky to have all the injuries only for yourself.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11444993

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Altima electrical problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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