Nissan Altima Fuel System, Gasoline Problems
Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA about fuel system, gasoline problems on the Nissan Altima across 23 model years. The 2002 model year has the most (38). The words owners use most often: “fuel pump” (14% of reports).
- 159fuel system, gasoline complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 43%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Fuel pump: mentioned in 23 of 159 complaints (14%)
- Gas tank: mentioned in 15 of 159 complaints (9%)
- Service engine: mentioned in 12 of 159 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do fuel system, gasoline problems happen?
Based on 103 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 159 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 2 an injury.
Nissan Altima fuel system, gasoline complaints by model year
| Model year | Fuel System, Gasoline complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Altima | 1 | 0% | 150,000 |
| 2016 Altima | 3 | 1% | 44,000 |
| 2015 Altima | 3 | 0% | 146,000 |
| 2014 Altima | 3 | 0% | 300 |
| 2013 Altima | 5 | 0% | 5,079 |
| 2012 Altima | 3 | 1% | 8,500 |
| 2011 Altima | 1 | 0% | 51,087 |
| 2010 Altima | 2 | 1% | 35,500 |
| 2009 Altima | 1 | 0% | 9,065 |
| 2008 Altima | 5 | 0% | 39,881 |
| 2007 Altima | 3 | 1% | 52,395 |
| 2006 Altima | 6 | 1% | 4,500 |
| 2005 Altima | 14 | 1% | 61,000 |
| 2004 Altima | 4 | 1% | 37,355 |
| 2003 Altima | 28 | 3% | 86,958 |
| 2002 Altima | 38 | 4% | 47,257 |
| 2001 Altima | 5 | 3% | 55,620 |
| 2000 Altima | 4 | 3% | 79,982 |
| 1999 Altima | 3 | 3% | 75,000 |
| 1998 Altima | 14 | 11% | 71,220 |
| 1997 Altima | 4 | 4% | 159,100 |
| 1996 Altima | 3 | 3% | 93,000 |
| 1995 Altima | 6 | 3% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Model years: 2019
Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Altima vehicles equipped with front wheel drive (FWD) and 2.5 liter engines. The fuel pump lock ring may not be fully engaged, possibly causing fuel to leak. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tank assembly. If the lock ring is disengaged, dealers will tighten the ring to specification. If the lock ring is detached, dealers will replace the fuel pump. Both remedies will be completed free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump; fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 2019
Problem: Nissan North America, Inc (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019 Altima vehicles. The retainer clip connecting the low pressure fuel tube to the high pressure fuel pump may not have been locked into position.
Risk: If the retainer clip is unlocked, the fuel tube may shift and cause a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire. If the fuel tube fully disconnects, the engine can stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Nissan has notified owners, and dealers will route the fuel hose into the holding clip and lock the retainer clip into place, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Fuel system, gasoline
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015
Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the agency on July 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 18, 2015. On October 14, 2015, Nissan expanded the recall to cover an additional 41,388 vehicles, including certain model year 2013-2015 Altima 3.5 vehicles equipped with a V6 engine manufactured March 30, 2012, to August 18, 2015 as well as the vehicles covered by the July 31, 2015 notification. In the affected vehicles, due to an improperly installed o-ring that may not have been seated correctly at the time of assembly, fuel may leak during a crash from the area where the fuel sending unit attaches to the fuel tank.
Risk: If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit. The recall began on September 28, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Model years: 2002, 2003
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, iowa, idaho, illinois, indiana, kansas, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, north dakota, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. At extremely cold temperatures, moisture in the fuel tank could freeze and form ice crystals. These ice crystals may obstruct the suction opening of the fuel pump.
Risk: This can prevent the supply of fuel to the engine and cause the engine to stop, which could result in a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will install a screen at the suction opening of the fuel pump to prevent ice crystals from blocking the opening. Owner notification began on august 18, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1-800-333-0829.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed the State Inspection because the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V251000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was contacted for recall completion and informed the contact that the recall was not…
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine overheated and hot air came out of the vents, entering the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the coolant reservoir needed to be refilled. The dealer…
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor inside the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with…
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the fuel gauge indicated that there was no fuel in the fuel tank. The contact drove to the gas station and refueled; however, the fuel gauge failed to provide the fuel level inside the fuel tank. The check…
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that after retrieving the vehicle following an engine repair, the fuel gauge was inoperable. The contact refueled the vehicle however, a week later the fuel gauge had not moved. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Nissan Altimas have fuel system, gasoline problems?
No. NHTSA has 159 owner complaints about fuel system, gasoline for the Nissan Altima. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Nissan Altima fuel system, gasoline?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list fuel system, gasoline. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about fuel system, gasoline problems on the Nissan Altima?
The most frequent phrase is “fuel pump”, in 23 of 159 complaints, followed by “gas tank” (15).
Other Nissan Altima problems
- Power Train problems (2,187)
- Air Bags problems (1,894)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (1,890)
- Electrical System problems (1,749)
- Structure problems (1,742)
- Engine problems (1,449)
- Steering problems (1,338)
- Exterior Lighting problems (1,221)
See all Nissan Altima problems.