Nissan Altima 2021 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the Nissan Altima 2021 and 70 complaints filed by owners. It has 60% fewer complaints than the average Nissan Altima from 2016–2025 (175 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Nissan Altima 2021? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Nissan Altima 2021
Backup camera and sensors
NHTSA campaign 23V628000 · 2023-09-08
What happens
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence
A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C3.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Steering
NHTSA campaign 21V138000 · 2021-03-04
What happens
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.
Consequence
A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PC795.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
70 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
7 with a crash · 1 with a fire · 4 injuries
Most reported problems on the Nissan Altima 2021
- Forward collision avoidance: 22 (31% of complaints)
- Electrical system: 20 (29% of complaints)
- Brakes: 18 (26% of complaints)
- Steering: 7 (10% of complaints)
- Engine: 6 (9% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Nissan Altima 2021
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- Ask whether the system braked on its own for no reason ("phantom braking") and whether software updates are pending.
- Test lights, windows, locks, the screen and dashboard warning lights; have trouble codes scanned.
- Brake hard somewhere safe: the car shouldn't pull to one side and the pedal shouldn't sink; check rotors and pads.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Altima 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| 2021 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Nissan Altima recalls by year
- 2016 : 4 recalls · 553 complaints
- 2017 : 3 recalls · 391 complaints
- 2018 : 2 recalls · 226 complaints
- 2019 : 7 recalls · 232 complaints
- 2020 : 6 recalls · 179 complaints
- 2021 : 2 recalls · 70 complaints
- 2022 : 0 recalls · 20 complaints
- 2023 : 0 recalls · 29 complaints
- 2024 : 1 recalls · 41 complaints
- 2025 : 2 recalls · 7 complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Nissan Altima 2021 have?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the Nissan Altima 2021. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Nissan Altima 2021?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: forward collision avoidance (22 of 70 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 12, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).