2014 Nissan Altima Problems
What owners have reported about the 2014 Nissan Altima, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.
From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.
Is the 2014 Nissan Altima a good year?
It's one of the worst years for the Altima. Owners have filed 1,114 complaints with NHTSA, the 3rd most of 17 Altima model years. The most reported problems involve the lights, transmission and airbags.
1,114 complaints 8 recalls, 1 fire risk 3rd worst of 17 Altima years
Top 2014 Nissan Altima problems
Lighting problems
299 complaints (27%) name the lights, most often the headlights and bulbs.
Transmission problems
209 complaints (19%) name the transmission, most often the automatic transmission and column shift.
Airbag problems
208 complaints (19%) name the airbags, most often the sensor / control module and front passenger.
Suspension problems
132 complaints (12%) name the suspension, most often the lower arm and wheel bearing.
Which parts fail most
Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.
Mileage when it failed
Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (707 of 1,114). The amber line is the middle value, about 65,000 miles.
When problems were reported
Complaints by the year the problem happened.
2014 Nissan Altima recalls
Latch
If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time. Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, a warning label near the secondary hood latch, and an OwnerÂ’s Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Note: Recall 16V-029 remains open for any unremedied 2013-2015 Altimas and this recall applies to all vehicles covered by 16V-029 even if those repairs have already been performed.
Recall 20V315000 · May 2020Occupant classification
An incorrect Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have been installed in the front passenger seat. The incorrect ECU and seat combination may misclassify the front passenger seat occupant. If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge.
Recall 16V911000 · Dec 2016Occupant classification
In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash. If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors.
Recall 16V244000 · Apr 2016Latch
In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: These vehicles were previously included in recalls 14V-565 and 15V-116, however the previous remedy plan may not have been performed consistently to remove the safety risk. To correct this issue, Nissan will re-notify all affected owners and dealers will replace the hood latch with a new one, free of charge.
Recall 16V029000 · Jan 2016Passenger airbag may be wrongly turned off
Injury riskA repair installed the wrong occupancy sensor unit, which can mistake an adult passenger for an empty seat and switch off the passenger airbag. If a crash happens, that airbag may not deploy, raising the risk of injury to the passenger.
Fix: The dealer will update the occupant classification system software at no cost to you.
Recall 15V681000 · Oct 2015Fuel System
Fire riskOn October 14, 2015, Nissan expanded the recall to cover an additional 41,388 vehicles, including certain model year 2013-2015 Altima 3.5 vehicles equipped with a V6 engine manufactured March 30, 2012, to August 18, 2015 as well as the vehicles covered by the July 31, 2015 notification. In the affected vehicles, due to an improperly installed o-ring that may not have been seated correctly at the time of assembly, fuel may leak during a crash from the area where the fuel sending unit attaches to the fuel tank. If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit.
Recall 15V486000 · Aug 2015Latch
In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will be instructed to modify the bend angle of the hood actuation lever to eliminate potential interference with the hood inner panel. In addition, dealers will clean and lubricate the latch joint as needed.
Recall 15V116000 · Feb 2015Frontal, Software
In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult. If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge.
Recall 14V138000 · Mar 2014Get an email when your 2014 Nissan Altima gets a new recall
We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2014 Nissan Altima, you'll hear about it the same week.
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Altima years to avoid
Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.
2014 Nissan Altima problems by system
Common questions
Is the 2014 Nissan Altima a reliable year?
It's one of the worst years for the Altima. Owners have filed 1,114 complaints with NHTSA, the 3rd most of 17 Altima model years. The most reported problems involve the lights, transmission and airbags.
What are the most common 2014 Nissan Altima problems?
Owners most often report problems with the lights, transmission, airbags and suspension. 299 complaints (27%) name the lights, most often the headlights and bulbs.
At what mileage do 2014 Nissan Altima lights problems start?
Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 59,000–100,000 miles, with a middle value near 81,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2014 Nissan Altima have?
8. Latch (20V315000); Occupant classification (16V911000); Occupant classification (16V244000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.
Should I buy a used 2014 Nissan Altima?
Ask for service records covering the lights, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2023, 2022 and 2024 models, which have the fewest complaints.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.