Nissan · Altima · 2021
2021 Nissan Altima
2
Recalls
59
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2021 Nissan Altima has 2 recalls and 59 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: service brakes,forward collision avoidance (9 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2021 Nissan Altima page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is service brakes,forward collision avoidance with 9 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2021 Nissan Altima currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 59 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are service brakes,forward collision avoidance (9), electrical system (7), forward collision avoidance (5).
- Vehicle
- 2021 Nissan Altima
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 59
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
9.2% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: Standard
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 23V628000September 08, 2023
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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."
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 21V138000March 04, 2021
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
59 totalSEAT BELTS
Mar 31, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving on four occasions, the front driver's side seat belt unintendedly unbuckled. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure milea...
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ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Mar 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that after stopping at a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 17, 2026
Back up camera display distorted
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Feb 2, 2026
The system malfunctioning is the front sensor braking. My safety and others were put at risk with this because multiple times my car has braked me and or completely stopped me because it’s malfunctioning , it happens while I am on a busy street and someone even almost rear ended ...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 1, 2026
Passenger back locks stopped working first. Then driver side back locks. Now both driver and passenger front locks will not lock/unlock automatically. This is scary when not being able to get in/out of vehicle for an emergency. I have reviewed multiple complaints and it appears t...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Nov 7, 2025
Hi this is in reference to my 2021 Nissan altima. The fob key entry and electrical door control doesn't work. The automator for my doors have had to be replaced. First the rear passenger and five days later the rear passenger door on drivers side and now the drivers door. As a s...
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FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Sep 2, 2025
The Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in my 2021 Nissan Altima SR frequently malfunctions. The forward radar sensor, located behind the front grille, becomes easily obstructed by normal road dirt or weather conditions. When this happens, the system falsely detects obstacle...
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STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 1, 2025
Steering wheel module buttons are not working . / needs a sensor replaced - recalibration.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION
Jul 1, 2025
Rear Crash warning comes on when stopped at light , or when car is put in reverse and nothings there . also wiper refill warning. stays on even when full. Has been reported to dealership more than once also hear clicking at speeds over 50 mph.
SUSPENSION
Jun 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud clicking sound coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed w...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 59 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2021 Nissan models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Nissan Altima Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Altima have?
The 2021 Nissan Altima has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2021 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has received 59 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Nissan Altima.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Nissan Altima?
The 2021 Nissan Altima received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Nissan Altima?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Nissan Altima are service brakes,forward collision avoidance (9 reports), electrical system (7 reports), forward collision avoidance (5 reports).
Does the 2021 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2021 Nissan Altima. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.