2001 Nissan Altima: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 159 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (36% of complaints); the 1999 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 159 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan altima. The contact stated that there was a loud noise underneath the vehicle and it swayed while being driven, especially around a curve. There was also a burning odor coming from the vents inside the vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2019
“I have been reading complaint section my car does the same thing starting the engine it starts to shake and sputter . Some times I can give it more gas and it may stop or what I have been doing when it does it at a traffic light I put it in park and step on the gas peddle, this usuale stops the problem. It only happens every few months or so. I thought that it was because the engine was cold, but not the case . It has been doing it for a few years now. I have low miles on it about 77,5000. I see some people think it is a intake manifold gasket problem and I have the same issure”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2017
“I was driving down the street at about 15 miles an hour and my tire on the passenger side turned out word and then hit a car on the side of the road. Upon further inspection I realized that the car had come apart at the control arm , at the hub and the transaxle had separated as well. Found these parts at the place I park in front of my house and the other one about 50feet from where the car came apart. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan altima. While driving approximately 55 mph, the contact released the accelerator pedal and the vehicle came to a complete stop without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the brake axle and sway weldings failed, and the lower control arm fractured. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle's repairs were not covered under warranty. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 187,000. Updated 01/06/2017*ct *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2016
“Was hit by another car and front end buckled by the crash and air bags did not deploy......front end damage was approx $5500 due to low miles was repaired although we would like to know why the airbags did not deploy? *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. After waiting a few moments, the vehicle restarted and resumed normally. The failure recurred five times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to locate the failure. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, who informed that the failure was contributed to the crank shaft sensor. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2014
“Car is idling rough and will stall at lights or anytime stopped while in gear. Has almost caused me to be rear ended on many occasions because it will idle then stall. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan altima. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the gauges on the instrument panel failed and reset to zero. The vehicle was shutdown and restarted and the gauges returned to normal. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 103,255.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan altima. The contact stated that the front passenger's side air bag warning light remained illuminated with the seat occupied. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 80,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2012
“The window regulator failed on a car that was transferred from a non-"hot" state, new york, to a "hot" state, florida. The regulator failed after only two months of hot weather. The regulators where not replaced in initial service campaign which has now expired. Nissan refuses to acknowledge that there was a campaign to replace regulators as it was not a full recall on all cars. This issue does not only affect hot weather states as years of summers in other states can still wear down and damage regulators if this failure was so quick to happen after move. *tr”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jul 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 22 of these complaints and injuries in 23 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. DS517-B001L AND DS517-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OPTICEL SURFACE OF THE REFLECTOR IS CORRODED INHIBITING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UPPER AND LOWER BEAMS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: EAGLE EYES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EAGLE EYES AT 1-800-568-1098.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA-02 , SIZE P205/55R16 89H TIRES. THE RECALLED TIRES ARE IDENTIFIED BY DOT SERIAL #W2 T2 VF3 XXX OR W2 T2 VF3 XXXX; WHERE XXX MAY BE 289, 299, 309, 319, 329, 339, 349, 359, 369, 379, 389, 399, 409, 419, 429, 439, 449, 459, 469, 479, 489, 499, 509, 519, 529, 010, 020, 030, 040, 050, 060, 070, 080, 090, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 170, AND WHERE XXXX MAY BE 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900, 3000, 3100, 3200, 3300, 3400, 3500, 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900, 4000, 4100, 4200, 4300, 4400, AND 4500. WITH INCREASING MILEAGE, THE TIRES MAY DEVELOP SHOULDER AREA CRACKING. CONTINUED USE OF A TIRE WITH THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO EXPOSURE OF THE BELT EDGE.
Remedy: BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE WILL REPLACE THE TIRES WHICH WERE INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THESE ALTIMA VEHICLES. FIRESTONE IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED FIRESTONE DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE AT 1-800-465-1904.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Altima by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Nissan Altima reliable?
NHTSA has 159 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Nissan Altima. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Nissan Altima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 66,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Nissan Altima have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.