The Lemon Index2015 Nissan Altima.
The 2015 Nissan Altima is about average by owner complaints: 284 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 86, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 26 to 31 mpg combined. The best Nissan Altima year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2013–2018 Nissan Altima, 17.2M views. The 2015 is the same generation.
- Transmission & shifter1.9M views
2013 Nissan Altima CVT Transmission Failure - (Pt. 1) Breakdown and FailureNissan CVT Fail · 502K views · 8 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
2014 Nissan Altima 2.5 S Headlight AimJames Niece · 298K views · 7 videos - Brakes & ABS857K views
Nissan Altima Front Brake Pads Replacement 2014-2017 - 3 Minute DIY VideoMINUTE DIY VIDEOS · 467K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical842K views
How to Install a 9in Touch Screen Radio for a Nissan Altima (2013-2017)Mcgurr Entertainment · 306K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Oil changes & service688K views
Nissan Altima Oil & Oil Filter Change 2013-2017MINUTE DIY VIDEOS · 421K views · 2 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition611K views
Nissan Won't Start Push Button Start 2018 Altima SR and Other Makes and Models Part 1 of 2Al Young Cuda · 247K views · 4 videos - Starter, alternator & belts321K views
![2013-2018 Nissan Altima Belt Replacement [2.5L QR25DE]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/K3HOwWt1JNk/mqdefault.jpg)
2013-2018 Nissan Altima Belt Replacement [2.5L QR25DE]BeeCee Built · 196K views · 2 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors293K views
How to Replace Upstream O2 Oxygen Sensor 2012-2018 Nissan AltimaTRQ · 118K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Nissan Altima Sedan 2012-2018 5th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 283K views
2013 Nissan Altima CVT Transmission Braking Slipping Failure Not Shifting Right Problems FIXEDZimaleta Motors Mobile Mechanic · 237K views
2013 Nissan Altima vs Maxima 0-60 MPH Mashup ReviewThe Fast Lane Car · 783K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 955 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Nissan Altima year. 2015 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 25K to 85K miles on the car (544 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- lights complaints mostly came at 45K–95K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 10K–60K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 27K–90K miles
Recalls 10
- latches/locks/linkages 2020
If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.
- body structure 2018
The door latch-lock cable may not have been routed properly in the rear door when the remedy was applied.
- latches/locks/linkages 2017
The rear door latch/lock cable on the vehicles may have been improperly routed.
Show all 10 recalls
- airbags 2016
An incorrect Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have been installed in the front passenger seat.
- airbags 2016
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.
- latches/locks/linkages 2016
In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
- brakes 2015
The affected vehicles have front brake calipers whose mounting bolts may not be properly tightened.
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair.
- fuel system, gasoline 2015
On 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…
- latches/locks/linkages 2015
In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 332 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- "2013-2015 altima with 4-cyl engine; cabin boom and/or steering/floor vibration while driving…
- 2013-2015 ALTIMA; WHINE NOISE FROM CVT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS This bulletin applies only to…
- CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedRear suspension control arm failure2019–2025
- ClosedRear suspension control arm failure2018–2019
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2050–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
When a passenger sit in front passengers seat the air bag light stays off and it will go from on to off once in a while even if the is someone sit in the front
2015 Nissan Altima owner · NHTSA complaint 11150653
More owner reports
The passenger side front seat sometimes will not detect an adult occupying the seat and disables the air bag for that passenger. Adults ranging in weights from 115 pounds to 120 pounds. It appears like a manufacturing defect.
NHTSA complaint 10819229
Recalled due to the air bag light not working properly. Went into dealer and was fixed. 3 times since then the same thing has happened. Dealer feels it's not a problem!
NHTSA complaint 10916190
Quick answers
Is the 2015 Nissan Altima reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 86; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Altima year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2015 Nissan Altima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (30%), transmission & drivetrain (22%) and steering (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2015 Nissan Altima have?
10 safety recalls (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Nissan Altima get?
26 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2015 Nissan Altima safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2015 Nissan Altima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 25,000 and 85,000 miles. The middle report was at 57,000 miles, from 544 complaints.
Does the 2015 Nissan Altima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2015 Nissan Altima cost in fuel a year?
About $2050 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2015 Nissan Altima have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Altima year is better than the 2015?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2011 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works