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Nissan Altima VIN decoder

Enter a Nissan Altima VIN to see its exact model year, trim, engine, factory and the safety recalls NHTSA lists for it. Free, with official NHTSA data.

Nissan Altima at a glance

Model years in NHTSA data1993–202735 model years
Recalls since 200813
Year with most recalls20206 recalls
Latest recall filedAug 2026

Nissan Altima model years and recalls

NHTSA lists the Nissan Altima for these model years. The year code is the 10th character of the VIN. Recall counts come from the NHTSA recalls database for the last 20 model years; one recall campaign often covers several years.

Model yearVIN year code (10th character)Recalls listed by NHTSA
2027 V 0
2026 T 0
2025 S 2
2024 R 1
2023 P Loading
2022 N Loading
2021 M Loading
2020 L 6
2019 K Loading
2018 J Loading
2017 H Loading
2016 G Loading
2015 F Loading
2014 E Loading
2013 D Loading
2012 C 4
2011 B Loading
2010 A Loading
2009 9 Loading
2008 8 Loading
2007 7 Not loaded (older than 2008)
2006 6 Not loaded (older than 2008)
2005 5 Not loaded (older than 2008)
2004 4 Not loaded (older than 2008)
2003 3 Not loaded (older than 2008)
2002 2 Not loaded (older than 2008)
2001 1 Not loaded (older than 2008)
2000 Y Not loaded (older than 2008)
1999 X Not loaded (older than 2008)
1998 W Not loaded (older than 2008)
1997 V Not loaded (older than 2008)
1996 T Not loaded (older than 2008)
1995 S Not loaded (older than 2008)
1994 R Not loaded (older than 2008)
1993 P Not loaded (older than 2008)

A recall count is for all Nissan Altima vehicles of that year. Whether a recall applies to one vehicle, and whether it was already repaired, depends on its VIN: decode the VIN above, then confirm with a dealer.

Latest Nissan Altima recalls

The newest recall campaigns NHTSA lists for the Nissan Altima, newest first.

Air Bags: Critical Fasteners

13 Aug 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V526000 · Model years: 2025

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima vehicles. The front passenger air bag and front passenger knee air bag may have been installed with incorrect mounting fasteners, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.

Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the air bag mounting fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 30, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan’s customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PD202. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning August 17, 2026.

Latches/Locks/Linkages: Doors: Latch

21 Jan 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V023000 · Model years: 2025

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."

Risk: A door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the door strikers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD185 and PMA61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 28, 2026.

Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical

27 Jun 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V437000 · Model years: 2020

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.

Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk of an engine fire.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R25A8/A9 and R25B1/B2.

Steering: Rack And Pinion

21 Dec 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V882000 · Model years: 2024

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Altima vehicles. The bolts connecting the electronic power steering unit to the steering rack may loosen, resulting in a loss of steering control or steering lock-up.

Risk: A loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC997.

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

8 Sep 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V628000 · Model years: 2020

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.

Fix: 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.

Show all 13 recalls

Tires

11 Mar 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V169000 · Model years: 2020

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC798.

Steering: Linkages: Tie Rod Assembly

4 Mar 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V138000 · Model years: 2020

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.

Risk: A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Tires

5 Nov 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V685000 · Model years: 2020

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima S grade vehicles equipped with Continental ProContact TX tires, size 215/60 R16 H, with TIN date code 3320 and Mold ID S-419149. The tires may have been over cured.

Risk: Over cured tires can result in a sidewall break causing a sudden loss of air or the tread separating from the tire. Both conditions increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's tires to see if they are affected, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-8677669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC765.

Visibility: Glass, Side/Rear

22 Sep 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V570000 · Model years: 2020

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.

Risk: Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC752.

Steering

10 Oct 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V494000 · Model years: 2012

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.

Air Bags: Side/Window

14 Feb 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V055000 · Model years: 2012

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ALTIMA AND VERSA VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS THAT CONTAIN AN INCORRECT PROPELLANT MIXTURE FOR THE INITIATOR COMPONENT USED, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT OUTPUT OF COMPRESSED GAS.

Risk: THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG MODULES, AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 615-725-1000.

Air Bags: Frontal: Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

9 Aug 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V408000 · Model years: 2012

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 21, 2011 AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 23, 2011, THROUGH JUNE 28, 2011 BECAUSE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU) WAS ASSEMBLED INCORRECTLY.

Risk: THE AFFECTED ACU WILL NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED AND THIS ISSUE MAY CAUSE THE AIR BAGS NOT TO INFLATE IN A CRASH WHEN THEY ARE DESIGNED TO INFLATE. THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.

Fix: NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Suspension

19 Jul 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V371000 · Model years: 2012

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.

Most recalled Nissan Altima parts

Recall campaigns by the main component NHTSA names:

  • Air bags: 3 recalls
  • Steering: 3 recalls
  • Tires: 2 recalls
  • Latches/locks/linkages: 1 recall
  • Engine and engine cooling: 1 recall
  • Back over prevention: 1 recall
  • Visibility: 1 recall
  • Suspension: 1 recall

How to read a Nissan Altima VIN

  • Characters 1-3 are the manufacturer code. Nissan uses these codes in NHTSA data: 1N4, 1N6, 3N1, 3N6, 3N8, 3PC, 5BZ, 5N1, JN1, JN3, JN6, JN8 ….
  • Characters 4-8 describe the Altima: body, engine, restraints and other equipment. Each maker sets its own layout, so a full decode is the safest way to read them.
  • Character 10 is the model year. For example, a 2027 Altima has V in position 10.
  • Character 9 is the check digit, 11 is the assembly plant and 12-17 are the serial number.

More about Nissan VINs

Nissan Altima VINs decoded on VinGear

Nissan Altima VIN questions

How many recalls does the Nissan Altima have?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the Nissan Altima from 2008 to 2027. Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your model year.

Which model years of the Nissan Altima are in NHTSA data?

NHTSA lists the Nissan Altima for 35 model years (1993–2027). The table on this page shows each year with its VIN year code.

How do I tell the year of a Nissan Altima from the VIN?

Look at the 10th character. For example, a 2027 Altima has V there. Letters I, O, Q, U, Z and the digit 0 are never used, and the codes repeat every 30 years.

Where is the VIN on a Nissan Altima?

At the bottom of the windshield on the driver side, on the driver door pillar label, and on the title, registration and insurance card.

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