Problems · NHTSA complaints

2023 Nissan Altima problems

Owners filed 30 complaints about the 2023 Nissan Altima with NHTSA between Feb 2023 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (11).

Complaints
30
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system11
  2. Engine6
  3. Forward collision avoidance4
  4. Service brakes3
  5. Visibility/wiper2
  6. Power train1
  7. Seats1
  8. Tires1
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic1
  10. Seat belts1
  11. Vehicle speed control1
  12. Steering1
  13. Other / unknown6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20234
20246
202512
20268

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

11 reports
“Our back up camera has colored lines in which won’t go away I can’t see what is around me or behind there were recalls on these cameras but not the 2023 Altima just seeing if others are having this problem. The car is only 3 years old”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11770411

Engine

6 reports1 fire
“I was driving down the freeway at about 70 miles an hour. When a warning came up, saying engine malfunction power reduced, the car then started the shaking a bit and not getting any power. Smoke started pouring out of the hood. I then pulled over open the hood. It was then on fire(small).I put it out with some water. And then the car was unable to start. I then towed it to my house and i'm waiting here on inspection.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2026EngineFire reportedODI 11747812

Forward collision avoidance

4 reports3 crashes
“During a traffic incident on March 26 2026 I was the driver of the 2023 Nissan Altima SL and I suffered unnecessary bodily injury due to the AEB system. I was in a forward collision, the warning indicator did not go off, and the AEB may have went off after the crash unnecessarily causing major damage to my right shoulder tearing one ligament partially, one ligament completely and tearing my rotator cuff and needing reconstruction and two joints anchored. The impact of the AEB jolt went up my wrist and the force through my shoulder to cause that damage is inexplainable since I was at a complete stop and maybe only one car length away from the other car. I hit my face on the steering wheel. Airbags did not deploy. My son in the passenger seat suffered a concussion as did I. The only thing we can find that could cause this amount of damage is if the AEB decelerated after impact unnecessarily and the airbag did not deploy. That means our bodies were already moving through the impact of the crash only to have been thrust into a second unnecessarily intensely strong AEB jolt. Had the AEB not engaged, we would not have injuries. The warning system failed to activate…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 12, 2026Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11730673

Service brakes

3 reports2 crashes
“​Reporting a severe hydraulic/mechanical braking defect on a 2023 Nissan Altima with only 26,820 miles. Vehicle experiences persistent 'spongy' brake pedal feel, premature metal-on-metal rotor gouging, and severely darkened/degraded brake fluid, indicating a systemic hydraulic component failure or electronic brake-dragging defect. This is a severe safety hazard causing unpredictable stopping distances. ​Authorized dealer (Coral Springs Nissan) refused warranty coverage prior to the May 21, 2023 expiration date and attempted to extort a signed liability/warranty waiver under duress to release my vehicle, which has been documented in writing on the service order and on video footage. ***Manufacturer is actively concealing this safety defect to avoid a mandatory safety recall. I own an identical second 2023 Altima with no such issues, proving a manufacturing defect on this vehicle. I paid $63k for both cars brand new. The only difference is the color. This issue began 2023 just five months after purchase. I called Coral Springs Nissan who told me this was not the brakes but electrical components that are used now. I trusted what they told me. It made sense. How…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2026Service brakesODI 11738897

Visibility/wiper

2 reports
“I was riding down the highway when all of a sudden I hear loud bang, the rear windshield, completely shutters, spontaneously out of nowhere. This is a huge safety concern as I could have easily caused or been involved in an accident due to what occurred I have looked up on other forms where this has happened to other Nissan owners. This can also be inspected by service center employees as well as document documented by the police. Be careful as there are no warning signs if or when this may occurred to your vehicle”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 1, 2024Visibility/wiperODI 11562878

Power train

1 report
“While traveling at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly began slowing down. Pressing the accelerator caused the engine RPM to increase, but the vehicle would not accelerate. I was forced to pull onto the shoulder. After restarting the vehicle, it would no longer move in either forward or reverse and had to be towed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 12, 2026Power trainODI 11749881
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.