RoadVitals

2001 Nissan Altima Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Oct 2, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
13%
of 159 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Nissan Altima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 20 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EngineSuspension
Filed Oct 2, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND IT SWAYED WHILE BEING DRIVEN, ESPECIALLY AROUND A CURVE. THERE WAS ALSO A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11265716
Incident
Sep 30, 2019
Mileage
200,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSuspension
Filed Oct 2, 2019

THE SUSPENSION ON MY 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA IS VERY LOW LOUD NOISE. THE CAR RATTLES AND SHAKE IN THE REAR SUSPENSION

NHTSA ID
11265531
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Mileage
203,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 23, 2016
Crash reported

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT ABOUT 15 MILES AN HOUR AND MY TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TURNED OUT WORD AND THEN HIT A CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I REALIZED THAT THE CAR HAD COME APART AT THE CONTROL ARM , AT THE HUB AND THE TRANSAXLE HAD SEPARATED AS WELL. FOUND THESE PARTS AT THE PLACE I PARK IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AND THE OTHER ONE ABOUT 50FEET FROM WHERE THE CAR CAME APART. *TR

NHTSA ID
10918415
Incident
Aug 16, 2016
Mileage
169,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Sep 28, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE AXLE AND SWAY WELDINGS FAILED, AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE'S REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000. UPDATED 01/06/2017*CT *TR

NHTSA ID
10910259
Incident
Feb 22, 2016
Mileage
187,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 12, 2004

A RATTLING NOISE IS APPARENT FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. MY MECHANIC INDICATED THE READ STABILIZER BAR HAS A TSB THAT AN IMPROPER SEALER OR BRUSHING WAS USED WHEN THE CAR WAS MADE, HOWEVER I NOW HAVE 57,000 MILES ON THE CAR THAT IS 3.5 YEARS OLD, I.E. OUT OF WARRANTY THEREFORE I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR A MANUFACTURE DEFECT.

NHTSA ID
10086690
Incident
May 18, 2003
SuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Mar 24, 2004

ON 9/17/03 I HAD FOUR P205/60R15 UNIROYAL TOUR TR TIRES PLACED ON MY 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA. WITHIN ONE WEEK TWO WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF VIBRATION. @ TWO WEEKS AGO I HAD THE TIRES ROTATED. THE REAR TIRES WERE PLACED ON THE FRONT. IMMEDIATELY VIBRATION AND PULLING TO THE RIGHT WAS NOTICED. AGAIN TWO NEW TIRES WERE PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. AGAIN THE PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE FRONT TIRES WERE MOVED TO OPPOSITE SIDES AND THE PULL WAS TO THE LEFT. A NEW TIRE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE AND IT STILLS PULL TO THE LEFT. THE CAR IS IN ALIGNMENT. I WOULD THINK THERE IS A DEFECT IN THESE TIRES. I HAVE NOTIFIED UNIROYAL OF THE SAME BY EMAIL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10063819
Incident
Sep 17, 2003
Suspension
Filed Jan 15, 2004

MY 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA GXE/LE CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH ITS SUSPENSION. IT MAKES A CRUNCHING/RATTLING NOISE. MY CAR HAS BEEN TO 2 NISSAN DEALERS A TOTAL OF 9 TIMES. IN ALL IT HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR 17 DAYS. THEY HAVE REPLACED MANY SUSPENSION PARTS. BUT THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES WITH MY COMPLAINTS VIA PHONE AND LETTERS. I HAVE ALSO DEMANDED A REFUND UNDER THE CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW. BUT NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA HAS REFUSED. ON MARCH 2002, I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AUTO LINE PROGRAM. ONCE THE BBB AUTO LINE REVIEWED MY COMPLAINT THEY CONTACTED NISSAN. WE HAD A NISSAN DTS PERSON INSPECT MY CAR. I TEST DROVE WITH HIM AND HE VERIFIED MY EXISTING SUSPENSION PROBLEM. I AGREED TO GIVE THEM ONE MORE CHANCE TO FIX MY CAR ON APRIL 12, 2002. THE DTS PERSON ORDERED BOTH FRONT STRUTS AND SPRINGS REPLACED AGAIN. AS OF SEPTEMBER 2002 THE SAME SUSPENSION PROBLEM HAS RE-OCCURRED. ON OCTOBER 2002, I FINALLY DECIDED TO CONTACT A LAWYER EXPERIENCED IN THE LEMON LAW CASES. HE WROTE THE FIRST DEMAND LETTER TO NISSAN. THE LETTER MENTIONED ALL MY PROBLEMS AND DEMANDED A LEMON LAW BUY BACK BECAUSE OF THE SUSPENSION DEFECT. ON DECEMBER 2002 MY ATTORNEY?S OFFICE HAD TO SEND NISSAN ANOTHER LETTER, BECAUSE THEY HAD FAILED TO RESPOND TO THE FIST ONE. WELL JUST RECENTLY ON JANUARY 2003 NISSAN FINALLY DECIDED TO RESPOND TO THE LETTERS AND AFTER NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS THAT WERE MADE TO THEIR OFFICE. NISSAN SAID THAT BASED ON THE NUMBER OF REPAIR ATTEMPTS, ALONG WITH THE TYPE OF REPAIR THAT WAS PERFORMED TO RESOLVE THE COMPLAINT, WE DO NOT FEEL THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ANY SUBSTANTIAL REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE SAME NON-CONFORMITY. NISSAN WENT ON TO SAY THAT THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO REPURCHASE YOUR CLIENT'S VEHICLE, THEREFORE DEMANDS FOR REPURCHASE AND RESTITUTION OF ASSOCIATED FEES, IS DENIED. THEY AGAIN OFFERED TO HAVE A DTS(DEALER TECHNICAL SPECIALIST) COME OUT AND INSPECT MY VEHICLE. FOR THE ALLEGED SUSPENSION COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ID
10069833
Incident
Jan 15, 2003
Mileage
89,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 24, 2003

I OWN A 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA, BOUGHT BRAND NEW WITH 35,300 MILES ON IT. NATURALLY THE WARRANTY IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE AND I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THE REAR BUSHINGS AND STABILIZER BARS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE ALREADY. IS THIS A SAFETY CONCERN? IS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM? IS THERE A RECALL? WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS ONCE MY WARRANTY EXPIRES? *LA

NHTSA ID
10043531
Incident
Oct 23, 2003
Suspension
Filed Dec 17, 2002

SWAY BAR BUSHING FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BUSHING. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

NHTSA ID
10001066
Incident
Jun 17, 2001
Mileage
17,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 3, 2002

CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY IN THE REAR AND MAKE NOISE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE REAR SWAY BAR WAS DISJOINTED.TS SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
8023642
Incident
Dec 2, 2002
Mileage
56,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 25, 2002

METALLIC RATTLEING SOUND FROM SUSPENSION WHEN CROSSING OVER BUMPS OR LANE DIVIDER DOTS. SIMILIAR TO ODI #746528 & #759328. DT

NHTSA ID
768906
Incident
Jul 1, 2002
Suspension
Filed Mar 13, 2002

MY CAR HAS A DEFECT WITH ITS SUSPENSION BOTH FRONT AND REAR. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR FOR SERVICE TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR REPAIRS. IT MAKES A LOUD CRUNCHING,RATTLING AND SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION. WHILE DRIVING OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMPS ON THE ROAD. INFACT IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS 8 TIMES IN ALL IT TOTALS 14 DAYS OUT OF SERVICE. AS OF NOW THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS AFTER THE DEALER HAS REPLACED NUMEROS PARTS. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE EXISTING PROBLEM BUT CANNOT FIX IT.*AK

NHTSA ID
759328
Incident
Oct 10, 2001
Suspension
Filed Mar 11, 2002

THE SWAY BAR BUSHING HAS BEEN REPLACED "FIXED" 4 TIMES ALREADY AND IT IS CURRENTLY BROKEN AGAIN. IT HAPPENED WHILE ENTERING THE DEALERSHIP DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THIS WAS A BRAND NEW CAR AND IT SIMPLY HAS PUT ME OUT! THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. I DRIVE MOSTLY ALL HIGHWAY MILES WITH NO BUMPS OR POT HOLES FOR THIS TO BE HAPPENING. *AK

NHTSA ID
759212
Incident
Jun 7, 2001
SteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 20, 2002
Crash reported2 injuries reported3 deaths reported

WHILE DRIVING 65 TO 75MPH, VEHICLE STARTED DRIFTING TO THE LEFT, CONSUMER CORRECTED, BUT VEHICLE KEPT PULLING TO THE RIGHT, VEHICLE THEN ROLLED OVER 1 1/2 TIMES, THE TIE ROD HAD SNAPPED, STRUT ASSEMBLY BROKE, AND CV JOINT SEPARATED, HOUSING BROKE FROM METAL, ROOF CAVED IN, TRUNK SMASHED INTO, AND PUSHED REAR SEAT INWARD KILLING 3 PASSENGERS, FIRE DEPARTMENT CUT 5 PASSENGERS OUT, 2 WERE INJURED, THE VEHICLES STRUCTURE KEPT BUCKLING AND COLLAPSING INWARD. *JG *AK *YH

NHTSA ID
8004301
Incident
Aug 16, 2001
Suspension
Filed Nov 2, 2001
Crash reported

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 15MPH SUDDENLY VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER WENT OFF THE ROAD TRYING TO VEER TO LEFT, AND VEHICLE KEPT PULLING TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLE STOPPED ON IMPACT BY HITTING A TREE. FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS DAMAGED. OFFICER AT THE SCENE STATED VEHICLE WASN'T TRAVELING TOO FAST ACCORDING HOW AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER WAS WAITING FOR INSURANCE ADJUSTER TO INSPECT VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
898673
Incident
Nov 1, 2001
Body & structureHeating & air conditioningEngine+2 more
Filed Nov 1, 2001

WATER LEAKS INSIDE THE TRUNK WHEN IT RAINS. *YH

NHTSA ID
785765
Incident
Jul 6, 2001
Suspension
Filed Jul 12, 2001

SWAY BAR BUSHING HAS FALLEN OUT TWICE. *AK

NHTSA ID
748331
Incident
Jun 18, 2001
Suspension
Filed Jun 25, 2001

AFTER HAVING VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS CONSUMER NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM LEFT REAR. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED AT DEALER. TECHNICIAN STATED SWAY BAR WAS LOOSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
891091
Suspension
Filed Jun 6, 2001

LEFT REAR OF VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A CRUNCHING/RATTLING NOISE OVER EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BUMP. DEALERSHIP DETERMINED IT TO BE NOISEY SWAYBAR LINK. THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE BUSHING PUSHED OUT APPARENTLY. THEY HAD TO INSTALL A WASHER ON SWAT BAR BUSHINGS RETAINER. NOT SURE IF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD WHERE I COULD OF LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I FOUND THIS BAD BECAUSE CAR IS NEW AND ONLY 2 MONTHS OLD AND I DRIVE ALL HIGHWAY INTERSTATE MILES. NO SIDE/OFF ROADS WITH MAJOR BUMPS TO KNOCK THIS OUT. HOPEFULLY PROB WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.IT IS A CONCERN SINCE VEH IS NEW AND THERE WAS NO EXTREMELY ROUGH DRIVING DONE WITH VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
746528
Incident
Jun 4, 2001
Suspension
Filed Jun 4, 2001

CONSUMER HEARD A BANGING NOISE IN REAR. TOOK VHEICLE TO DEALER . DEALER CLAIMED SWAY BAR AND BUSHINGS HAD TO BE REMOUNTED. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
889642
Incident
Jun 3, 2001

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .