Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 498 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Nissan Altima, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 105 | 21% |
| Air bags | 53 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 49 | 10% |
| Power train | 40 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 39 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 21 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 18 | 4% |
| Engine | 14 | 3% |
| Structure | 13 | 3% |
| Seats | 10 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
There is an open recall and when I took it to the dealership, they were advised by Nissan that they are no longer making the part. I was told to contact Nissan and when I did, they made a cash offer and keep the vehicle;
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
I was driving to work on the freeway about 65 mph and after about 20 minutes the engine made a whirring noise, overheating and slight smell of burnt rubber and delayed to Accelerate luckily I was close to my exit I parke
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I drove my car to work that morning and it was running completely fine. When I went to lunch that same day after 5 mins of driving the car my CVT transmission slipped out of nowhere and lost all power completely while I
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The vehicle shakes, for a lack of better word it shudders during drives short or long, smells of gasoline constantly, randomly decides not to start, has fuel efficiency problems, is prone to overheating, the dealer confi
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The dashboard in my 2007 Altima is melting. It is ultra sticky and isn't cleanable at all. It wreaks of a chemical smell and also puts a glare on the windshield in certain lighting. It's a mess, and it's dangerous. There
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the ABS and TPMS warning lights illuminated and the vehicle started to stall. The contact saw smoke coming out from underneath the hood. The
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, causing another vehicle to swipe the driver's side and the driver's side mirror off the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the message "Passenger Air Bag Off" remained displayed even though there was
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2007 Nissan Altima. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) REPLACED DURING SERVICE AT A DEALERSHIP, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY DEACTIVATED DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE DEALER SERVICE SOFTWARE. IF THE TPMS IS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT ALERT THE
Risk: DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IS UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TPMS FUNCTION AND REACTIVATE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONT
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACE
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, IF A SUFFICIENTLY HOT OBJECT ENTERS THE AIR FILTER HOUSING THROUGH THE ENGINE FRESH AIR INTAKE SYSTEM AND CONTACTS THE ENGINE AIR FILTER, THE FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL ARE SUCH THAT THE FILTER MAY IGNITE.
Risk: IF THE AIR FILTER MATERIAL IGNITES, A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR FILTER WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS IMPROVED ANTI-FLAMMABILITY MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 3, 2007, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2007. OWNERS M
| Reliability | 68 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 82 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 75 | good |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 498 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 105 of them (21%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 68/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2007 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.