2021 Nissan Altima driver assistance & safety tech problems

Related recalls

• Recall 23V628000Sep 8, 2023153,376 vehicles
  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."

  Risk: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 8, 2026COCrash1 injuredTowedBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   My car is supposed to have an automatic braking system/collision detection. Two cars in front of me slammed on their brakes and the car in front of me slammed on his brake, and I didn't have enough time to react. I totalled my car, but my car is supposed to have a safety feature that automatically brakes. The faulty automatic braking didn't engage as it should have.

   NHTSA complaint #11749014 · source
2. Filed Apr 4, 2026FLBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   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 me because my car braked out of nowhere. It’s called “Phantom Braking”. No, the problem has not been confirmed by dealer became they stopped answering. I took it to the manufacture but they want to…

   NHTSA complaint #11729180 · source
3. Filed Dec 26, 2025CABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   Vehicle Breaking on Its Own While Driving I am writing to file a formal safety complaint and to demand immediate corporate intervention regarding an extremely dangerous mechanical/ADAS defect. My Nissan Altima has serious, ongoing safety issues where the vehicle will unexpectedly and aggressively apply the brakes on its own while I am driving, including on highways and regular roads. This defect happens without my input, without warning, and creates a major risk of being…

   NHTSA complaint #11707198 · source
4. Filed Dec 4, 2025VADriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   RE: Formal Demand for Vehicle Repurchase/ Buyback due to Critical Safety Defect- Vehicle Breaking on Its Own While Driving I am writing to file a formal safety complaint and to demand immediate corporate intervention regarding an extremely dangerous mechanical/ADAS defect in my vehicle that Nissan has failed to repair since I purchased it in 2021. My Nissan Altima has serious, ongoing safety issues where the vehicle will unexpectedly and aggressively apply the brakes on its…

   NHTSA complaint #11702906 · source
5. Filed Sep 3, 2025NYDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   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 obstacles and engages braking or gives collision warnings even when the road ahead is clear. This places my safety and the safety of others at risk because the vehicle can suddenly slow or stop without…

   NHTSA complaint #11684670 · source
6. Filed Jul 4, 2025LADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11671215 · source
7. Filed Feb 4, 2025MADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   Purchased the car in June of 2024 with around 33,000 miles. I thought the doors were locked and someone was able to just open my back door when my car was unattended in a store parking lot; the car was supposed to be locked. Lights and horn started going off. Being a female with a child this is a very scary issue. The idea that anyone can get in when you think the doors are locked or vice versa, in the event of an emergency no one can get in because the doors dont unlock. It…

   NHTSA complaint #11640747 · source
8. Filed Nov 28, 2024KSDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   [XXX] slams on brakes going in reverse for no reason, I wish there was a way to disconnect this to me it's more of a safety issue. Problem is there trying to dumb [XXX] down for all the idiots out there that don't know how to drive.. I don't have that problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint #11627862 · source
9. Filed Jun 16, 2024LADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   The car rear impact warning comes on when driving this has happened at least 5 times Also the windshield washer fluid light comes on even though the reservoir is full

   NHTSA complaint #11594614 · source
10. Filed Mar 8, 202449,000 miTXDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while in reverse, the back over prevention camera malfunctioned and images were displayed distorted at times or black and blue, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V628000…

    NHTSA complaint #11576178 · source
11. Filed Sep 28, 2023NJBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    When traveling in a rental from SFO to Concord CA, on the Bay Bridge at 9 am on the 26 of September 2023, just as I entered the underpass section near Treasure Island, the front sensor malfunctioned and auto braked from 47 mph to 28, generated audible, tactile, and visual alarms, even though the car in front was not decelerating (auto lights, tail lights in from of me as the car went into a dark section of road may have been misinterpreted). I was almost crashed into.…

    NHTSA complaint #11547087 · source
12. Filed Sep 2, 2023MDDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    I purchased my car from Sheehy Nissan of Waldorf on November 1, 2022. At the time of purchase the vehicle had 38,709 miles. It reportedly had one previous owner and was originally titled on 3/11/2021. From the day I purchased this vehicle I have had trouble with the automatic emergency braking system. I am experiencing sudden unintended brake activation in various situations. I have experienced the emergency braking system activating when I am driving at high speeds (60-70…

    NHTSA complaint #11542313 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology