Nissan Altima Suspension Problems
Owners have filed 906 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the Nissan Altima across 29 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (289). The words owners use most often: “control arm” (35% of reports).
- 906suspension complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 34mention a crash
- 13mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $1,300typical repair cost reported by owners
- 30%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.
- Control arm: mentioned in 317 of 906 complaints (35%)
- Sway bar: mentioned in 125 of 906 complaints (14%)
- Rear lower: mentioned in 120 of 906 complaints (13%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical suspension repair on the Nissan Altima at $1,300, and half of them between $940 and $2,100.
Based on 29 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2009–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do suspension problems happen?
Based on 616 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 906 complaints, 34 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 13 an injury.
Nissan Altima suspension complaints by model year
| Model year | Suspension complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Altima | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2022 Altima | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2021 Altima | 5 | 7% | 34,500 |
| 2020 Altima | 5 | 3% | — |
| 2019 Altima | 8 | 3% | 2,150 |
| 2018 Altima | 4 | 2% | 79,825 |
| 2017 Altima | 11 | 3% | 26,525 |
| 2016 Altima | 12 | 2% | 65,000 |
| 2015 Altima | 64 | 7% | 68,656 |
| 2014 Altima | 132 | 12% | 100,000 |
| 2013 Altima | 289 | 12% | 100,058 |
| 2012 Altima | 17 | 4% | 30,350 |
| 2011 Altima | 14 | 6% | 51,087 |
| 2010 Altima | 31 | 8% | 77,067 |
| 2009 Altima | 33 | 2% | 90,750 |
| 2008 Altima | 16 | 2% | 85,000 |
| 2007 Altima | 121 | 26% | 61,500 |
| 2006 Altima | 18 | 2% | 61,500 |
| 2005 Altima | 21 | 2% | 37,500 |
| 2004 Altima | 10 | 4% | 39,554 |
| 2003 Altima | 15 | 2% | 110,700 |
| 2002 Altima | 14 | 1% | 57,500 |
| 2001 Altima | 20 | 13% | 169,000 |
| 2000 Altima | 6 | 4% | 129,522 |
| 1999 Altima | 7 | 8% | 111,000 |
| 1998 Altima | 9 | 7% | 142,400 |
| 1997 Altima | 7 | 6% | 66,122 |
| 1996 Altima | 4 | 4% | 85,000 |
| 1995 Altima | 10 | 6% | 121,896 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Suspension; steering
Model years: 2012, 2013
Problem: Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power steering rack bolts that were not torqued to proper specification.
Risk: The affected bolts could become loose and fall out which may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque specifications. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Suspension
Model years: 2011, 2012
Problem: Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 nissan altima sedan vehicles manufactured from april 25, 2011, through june 10, 2011 at the canton, mississippi plant. The transverse link bolt may not have been torqued to the proper specification. This condition could cause the bolt to become loose while the vehicle is being driven, creating a rattling noise and vibration.
Risk: If the bolt comes out completely, the driver may experience difficulty controlling the direction of the vehicle which could result in a crash.
Fix: Nissan will replace the transverse link bolts and nuts and tighten them to the proper torque specification free of charge. The safety recall began on august 8, 2011. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Suspension
Model years: 2009, 2010
Problem: Nissan is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 altima and maxima passenger cars. The upper front strut insulators may have been manufactured out of specification resulting in a potential for the strut insulator to crack.
Risk: If the strut insulator is cracked, there is a potential for the strut rod to come out of its mounting position, which could affect vehicle stability and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners and dealers will replace both left and right side front strut insulators free of charge. The safety recall began october 2009. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-nissan1 (1-800-647-7261).
Suspension
Model years: 2008
Problem: Nissan is recalling 1,018 my 2008 altima vehicles. The left side front suspension transverse link bolt may not have been tightened to specification. This condition could cause the bolt to become loose while the vehicle is being driven.
Risk: If the bolt were to come out, the driver may experience difficulty controlling the direction of the vehicle which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will tighten the transverse link bolt to specification free of charge. The recall began on august 11, 2008. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Suspension:rear
Model years: 2006
Problem: On certain vehicles, the rear subframe may have been manufactured incorrectly, which could result in a crack in a bracket which holds part of the rear suspension.
Risk: If the bracket is cracked, the stability of the vehicle may be affected under severe driving conditions. This could lead to a loss of control of the vehicle which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe to determine if it was manufactured incorrectly and replace it, if necessary. The recall began on february 27, 2006. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
just reporting same issues suspension is horrible and problem with fuel. code p0955 and p2a00
am submitting a formal safety defect report regarding the steering system on my 2012 Nissan Altima Coupe. The vehicle exhibits a loose and unstable steering feel, accompanied by a distinct clunking impact whenever the wheel is turned, including during lowâspeed maneuvering. This condition…
The passenger side rear spring mount/Lower Control Arm separated at the weld and failed at highway speed. Control of the vehicle was momentarily lost and I was able to safely pull to the side of the highway to await a tow truck. Vehicle is not drivable. Mechanic confirmed it was an "Insufficient…
The rear lower control arms (lower links) on my 2015 Nissan Altima are actively cracked and broken at 91,359 miles. An authorized Nissan dealership inspected the vehicle and confirmed the severe structural failure on video, explicitly stating it is an immediate safety hazard. However, the…
Driver side rear lower control arm broke/rusted through. Was able to get the vehicle home prior to an catastrophic incident. See pictures attached. Warning light came on the dash at the time of the brake of the control arm.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Nissan Altimas have suspension problems?
No. NHTSA has 906 owner complaints about suspension 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 suspension?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix suspension problems on the Nissan Altima?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,300 (half paid between $940 and $2,100), from 29 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about suspension problems on the Nissan Altima?
The most frequent phrase is “control arm”, in 317 of 906 complaints, followed by “sway bar” (125).
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.