2019 Nissan Altima Reliability Report

Automatic emergency braking stops the car hard with nothing ahead, in parking lots, on highways, and under bridges. Other reports describe the opposite: the brakes or AEB fail to stop the car, and rear-end crashes follow. Four complaints involve crashes, and two report injuries. Dealers often cannot reproduce the false braking. Fixes cited include reprogramming, a replaced radar, and a faulty sonar control unit. Failures appear at 16,000 and 24,000 miles. A separate fire-related report describes shaking, a burning-rubber smell, and weak braking traced to a faulty rear caliper.

The car brakes hard with no vehicle or obstacle ahead. It can drop to 15 or 40 mph on open roads, under bridges, in parking garages, or while crossing railroad tracks. AEB or front radar warning lights come on now and then, then stay on, which disables the system and adaptive cruise control. Several reports describe near rear-end collisions. Dealers often cannot replicate the problem, blame earlier accident damage, or quote sensor and bracket repairs that warranty does not cover. Onset appears under 17K miles and again at 47,124 miles.

Washer fluid barely reaches the windshield. It hits only the bottom of the glass or the underside of the hood, so the windshield stays dirty at highway speed. Several owners report windshields cracking or shattering with no impact. One broke on the highway, and another cracked under light hand pressure. Other complaints cover a rearview mirror that pulls a chunk of glass loose when adjusted and a mirror that will not sit high enough. Owners also mention a weak anti-glare mirror and dashboard glare on the driver's side of the windshield.

Airbags fail to deploy in serious frontal crashes, including one at 45 mph and others with heavy front damage. Six of the 8 complaints involve crashes, and four people are reported injured. One report blames leg injuries on the deployment itself. Outside of crashes, the occupant detection sensor fails again and again, and the airbag warning light comes on at startup. Dealers charge for diagnosis and resets, and owners say extended warranties do not cover the repair. One sensor fault came back three times, with replacement quoted next.

Clunking, banging, and grinding noises from the front and rear are the main complaint. Different cases trace them to failed rear shocks, a bad axle, worn struts, or wheel bearings. Rear shocks failed inspection at 45,000 miles, and an axle failure appears around 60,000. Owners also report uneven tire wear and a traction control light during right turns. Two complaints involve crashes, including a front wheel that came loose at low speed at a little over 25000 miles. The 19-inch low-profile wheels draw complaints about a harsh ride.

The wheel locks up or stops responding while driving, sometimes on a straight road at low speed. Two of the three complaints end in crashes that totaled the car, and one involves an injury. In one of those crashes, the brakes and emergency braking also did not act. The remaining report covers random automatic braking after the car flags a blocked front sensor. The dealer blamed a sensor bent in an accident that the owner says never happened. The count is small, but the outcomes are severe.

Front seats catch fire. Both complaints describe smoke or flames coming from the back of a front seat. In one case, the seat heater was on and the wiring behind the seat was smoking. In the other, the fire started at 70 mph on the highway with no warning light. Clothing caught fire in both cases. Only two complaints exist, but both are fire-related, which makes this a serious concern.