RoadVitals

2014 Nissan Altima Steering Problems

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

Data refreshed

Steering 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.
58
Latest Jul 7, 2025
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.
5%
of 1,113 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.
8

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 Nissan Altima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 58 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 steering

The 25 most recent of 58, in the owner's own words

Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 7, 2025

While driving, the Altima’s rear control arm and suspension links broke due to corrosion resulting in loss of safe control of the vehicle. Nissan is aware that this is a problem with this year and make vehicle. They issued an extension of the warranty for this issue. This should be a mandatory recall for safety concerns, not simply a warranty extension. This is a very dangerous issue that can lead to serious injury! Very upset that money is valued over human life. When these parts fail, the vehicle is not safe.

NHTSA ID
11671557
Incident
Jun 27, 2025
Steering
Filed Feb 24, 2025

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became firm and difficult to turn in either direction. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that both front suspension control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic for a second opinion where it was diagnosed with the same failure. The vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,333.

NHTSA ID
11644483
Incident
Aug 15, 2024
Mileage
78,333 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 3, 2024

While driving on a highway at approximately 40 mph. My car lurched and felt like I lost control of the steering. I slowed down and it felt like the car was straight but the steering wheel was turned. I thought maybe I had a flat tire. I drove again slower and the same thing happened. I heard a sound that sounded like a flat tire- a constant thumping noise. I had the car towed to a repair shop and the repairman said I had rusted lower control arms that should be covered by an extended warranty that I was never notified of an issue from Nissan. When contacting Nissan they said the extended warranty ran out and I would have to wait approximately one month without a car for them to do an inspection. Had this incident happened 2 months ago I beleive the repair would have covered. I'm so upset that something might have happened more tragically. I wanted to make the NHTSA aware of the problem. Do I have any recourse? The said it would take a month to have an inspection done by Nissan. How does one go without a car for a month?

NHTSA ID
11628658
Incident
Nov 24, 2024
Steering
Filed Jun 23, 2023

I have hard control the vehicle when turning is seem the vehicle want to pull ether to right or left when a making a turn Work was done on the vehicle the steering Power Steering Rack and Pinion Was change is the same problem again The lower control harm was change

NHTSA ID
11528582
Incident
May 3, 2023
Steering
Filed Jun 22, 2023

I was driving to work. 2 minutes after I exited the expressway, my car made a popping sound and I was unable to control or steer my car properly. I later found out that the control arm on my car was broken. If it broke 2 minutes earlier, I would've crashed my car on the expressway and I could have lost my life and/or endangered the life of others. Nissan apparently had an extended warranty on the control arm. There should've been a safety recall instead!

NHTSA ID
11528353
Incident
Aug 13, 2022
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 2, 2022

Rear control arm broke while driving.

NHTSA ID
11495729
Incident
Dec 2, 2022
Steering
Filed Nov 4, 2021

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel was shaking violently. In addition, there was an abnormal clicking noise from the tires. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 350,000. The VIN was invalid.

NHTSA ID
11439308
Incident
Sep 15, 2021
Mileage
350,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 19, 2021

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel was uncontrollable. The steering wheel failed to correctly move left or right. The contact stated that the steering wheel turned a full 360 degrees. The driver was able to safely pull over to the shoulder. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the control arms on the driver’s and passenger’s side had fractured. Additionally, two bolts needed to be sheared off. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the owner never received a recall notification. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and agreed to cover half the cost of the repairs. The contact is concerned about receiving reimbursement for repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA ID
11437369
Incident
Jul 7, 2021
Mileage
132,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 25, 2021

My mother in law was driving this vehicle with 3 of her grandchildren (one was my son). She noticed the car seemed squirrelly on the highway. They stopped at a Restaurant and called me. I drove there and took a look. The right rear wheel was at a terrible angle. I looked underneath and noticed the right rear control arm was nearly broken apart. Picture will be attached. This could have ended much differently. The car was towed to a shop and they noticed both the left and right control arms needed to be replaced as they were both rusted out. This is on a car that was kept in a garage it's entire life. The shop told us there is a recall for Altimas for this but not for our VIN number. Why this recall was not for the vehicle is unbelievable.

NHTSA ID
11430551
Incident
Aug 21, 2021
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 9, 2021

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, a popping sound came from the rear of the vehicle, which resulted in the vehicle losing the ability to properly steer. The contact pulled over and upon inspection, it was found that the driver’s side control arm had separated from the sub-frame of the vehicle. The contact stated that the low traction warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and remained unrepaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact was informed that Vin was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 194,000.

NHTSA ID
11420293
Incident
Jun 8, 2021
Mileage
194,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed May 27, 2021

On 5/17/21 I had just left Walmart in Abington on my way to pickup my glasses. After picking up my glasses i felt wobble in the driver's side rear tire. I pulled over on Pine St. and checked the lug nuts on each wheel. Everything seemed okay. I then noticed a traction sign on the dashboard. I put on my hazard lights and drove home approximately a mile or two. When I got home I backed the car up and when I got out I notices the rear wheel drivers side bending inward at the top. I had Westgate Towing tow it after approved by AAA to Bourne's Auto for repair where i had bought the car and purchased a repair/warranty contract. Nothing was covered. No rental for a week. Paid almost $911.47 for the repair. Worried it could happen on other side. Diagnosis: Left Rear Lower Control Arm & Lateral Arm and Alignment needed.

NHTSA ID
11418805
Incident
May 17, 2021
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 27, 2021
Crash reported1 injury reported

While driving my car the component snapped/popped and caused me to lose control of my car and crashing into a curb in front of a pole. No warning lights came on prior to this happening. I have reached out to the manufacturer with no satisfactorily acceptable resolution. Currently I am in the hospital. The police was on the scene and the vehicle was towed to my residence due to being inoperable. I am physically, mentally and emotionally affected by this matter. Consumer stated she noticed a campaign but not a recall and her VIN was not included.

NHTSA ID
11418706
Incident
May 23, 2021
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed May 20, 2021

While turning onto the entrance ramp to the highway, the lower rear control arm on the passenger side cracked and separated from the rest of the vehicle. The only thing holding the wheel on to the vehicle was a suspension coil. Steering and control of the vehicle became intermittent and I had no idea what was happening. I was driving with my pregnant daughter in the passenger seat. The "slippery road" warning light appeared on the dashboard but no other warnings or alerts. We were not injured. The vehicle was towed to our automotive repair shop. The auto repair noted that they had fixed this issue on Nissan Altima in the past and the repair was covered by Nissan. The nissanassist website states there is "a service campaign in states with high road salt usage to replace the rear suspension lower link. On some affected vehicles, and under severe corrosion conditions, one of the rear lower suspension links may corrode and separate at the bushing joint area". I live in Buffalo, NY area which is a high-salt state. Nissan will not cover this repair ($1146.57 includes NYS taxes) because the campaign does not include my VIN and was for 2013 models; my vehicle is 2014. The auto repair shop told us that the lower control arm in my 2014 vehicle was a 2013 part, so it was subject to the same defect that prompted the 2013 recall. Nissan refuses any assistance with this repair and says the VIN number is not included on the lower suspension link repair. If this type of corrosion in a high salt state resulting in breakage is a known covered issue with the 2013 model, and my 2014 model Nissan was assembled with the 2013 control arm parts, then my vehicle should not be excluded.

NHTSA ID
11417950
Incident
May 15, 2021
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 12, 2021

VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO KEEP IN THE LANE I'M DRIVING IN FEELS LIKE I'M ABOUT TO BE BLOWN OFF THE ROAD I'VE REPLACED THE TIE RODS THE HUBS THE TIRES HAD MULTIPLE ALIGNMENTS BUT FEELS LIKE THE SUSPENSION HAS FAILED SOME WHERE OR THE STEERING FAILED SOMETHING IS THERE IS VIBRATION IN THE WHEEL FEELS LIKE ITS SLIPPING OR HESITATION THERE'S A ITS TO THE POINT I'M GETTING SCARED TO DRIVE IT ALMOST LIKE THE FRAME IS SEPARATED OR SEPARATING SOMEWHERE DOESN'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE FEELS UNSTABLE AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS IT ALMOST TO THE POINT I WANNA JIST JUNK THE [XXX] THING CAUSE NO MATTER WHAT I HAVE DONE OR DO TO IT MYSELF IT NEVER GETS BETTER PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11407533
Incident
Oct 21, 2018
SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 4, 2021

REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM RUSTED AND BROKEN WHILE IN MOTION. LOSS OF STEERING AS WELL AS DRIVEABILITY BEYOND 10MPH

NHTSA ID
11406345
Incident
Feb 17, 2021
Mileage
89,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Sep 29, 2020

CONTROL ARM/REAR SUSPENSION LOWER LINK RUSTED OUT AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR ON THE TACONIC STATE PARKWAY. NO INJURIES.NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE SINCE 2103. WONT REPLACE AS THEY STATE CAR HAS TOO MANY MILES WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSTING OUT. IT STATES ON THEIR WEBSITE A SERVICE CAMPAIGN AGREEING THAT SEVERE CORROSION OCCURS IN STATES WITH HIGH ROAD SALT USAGE AND NEW YORK IS ONE OF THESE STATES. WHY ISNT THIS A RECALL? SHAME ON NISSAN. HAD WE BEEN ALERTED TO THIS SERVICE CAMPAIGN WE WOULD HAVE HAD IT INSPECTED ON A REGULAR BASIS TO AVOID THIS MISHAP. NISSAN ALSO STATED SINCE THE CAR WAS NOT TOTALED, THEY WILL DO NOTHING. PLEASE ALERT ANYONE WHO OWNS A NISSAN ALTIMA TO BE AWARE! WE WILL BE FIXING THIS CONTROL ARM AT OUR EXPENSE AS WELL AS THE OTHER CONTROL ARM AT OUR EXPENSE SO THAT THIS WILL MAKE THE CAR SAFE AND TO AVOID A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR DEATH. IF THE AIRBAG WAS DEFECTIVE, WOULD THAT MATTER OF THE MILEAGE OF THE CAR? ITS A SAFETY ISSUE!

NHTSA ID
11361717
Incident
Sep 29, 2020
Mileage
100,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Aug 19, 2020

THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THEY DID NOT REIMBURSE OR FIX AT NO CHARGE. NOW MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I EVER BOUGHT.

NHTSA ID
11350247
Incident
Aug 18, 2020
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 24, 2020

LOWER CONTROL ARMS NEED TO BE REPLACED, FRONT STRUTS NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND POWER STEERING MOTOR. MY POWER STEERING WILL FAIL WHILE DRIVING, FOR 2-3 SECONDS AT A TIME, MAKING MY STEERING WHEEL UNABLE TO TURN. WHILE IN MOTION

NHTSA ID
11341237
Incident
Jan 1, 2020
Mileage
95,000 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 2, 2020

WHEN GOING UP OR DOWN DRIVE WAY WHEEL MAKES POOPING SOUND CAR ALSO SWAY BACK IN FORTH ON FREEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
11337100
Incident
Jun 28, 2020
Mileage
133,204 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 19, 2020

DRIVING TO WORK LOST CONTROL OF REAR TIRE. TOOK IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT AND WAS INFORMED THE REAR LOWER LINK RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR 2013-2014 ALTIMA SEDAN ON THE REAR LOWER LINK. WHEN I CONTACTED NISSAN I WAS INFORMED IT WAS ONLY FOR THE 2013 ALTIMA. I EXPLAINED TO THEM CAMPAIGN ID# P9324 SAID FOR 2013-2014 ALTIMA AND MY CAR WAS A 2014 BUILT IN JULY 2013 AND HAS THE SAME REAR LOWER LINK PART NUMBER ON BOTH YEAR MODELS AND MINE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND SEPARATED. THEY DON'T CARE. NOW I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL I GET IT FIXED AT MY OWN EXPENSE.

NHTSA ID
11310097
Incident
Feb 18, 2020
Mileage
250,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 2, 2020

WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE ROUTE I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND IMMEDIATELY FELT THE STEERING WHEEL SHIFT FROM EVEN TO THE LEFT ABOUT 45 DEGREES WITH A THUMPING SOUND . ALSO THE STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON. I TRIED TO STEER THE CAR PROPERLY BUT ENCOUNTERED A PULLING TO THE LEFT. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD INTO A LOT AND DISCOVERED THE REAR LEFT WHEEL AND SIDE (DRIVER SIDE} WAS LOWER THAN THE RIGHT AND THE WHEEL WAS TILTED INWARD. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE CONNECTION TO THE SUSPENSION WAS COMPROMISED. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED ON FLATBED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. HE IS LOCATED NEAR THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP SO WE HOPE TO GET IT RESOLVED WITH HIS SELP. MY RESEARCH ON YOUR SITE INDICATED THAT SEVERAL (1000'S) OF 2013 VEHICLES EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT MANY 2014 MODELS. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS NOT JUST FOR THE 2013 MODELS AND THE 2014'S AGE IS ABOUT AT THE SAME TIME WHEN THE 2013'S HAVE FAILED. (6 YEARS OLD). I AM HOPING THAT NISSAN FOLLOWS SUIT WITH THE 2014 MODELS LIKE CANADA DID LAST YEAR.

NHTSA ID
11306565
Incident
Feb 1, 2020
Mileage
90,200 mi
Fuel systemExterior lightingSteering
Filed Jan 28, 2020

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY BAD AT NIGHT I HAVE CHANGED OUT WITH NEW ONES 5 TIMES. ALSO THE STEERING HAVE TO KEEP BEING CORRECTED WHEN DRIVING CAR WANTS TO GO INTO OTHER LANES I HAD 2 WHEEL ALIGNMENTS IN STILL NO HELP

NHTSA ID
11302431
Incident
Jan 1, 2020
Mileage
125,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Nov 19, 2019
Crash reported4 injuries reported

CAR WOULD NOT STOP AS I WAS TRYING STOP FROM HITTING A VEHICLE THAT STOPPED I'M FRONT OF ME, DUE TO BRAKES LOCKING UP AND I TRIED TO SWERVE TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT FROM OCCURRING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AS WELL.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11280966
Incident
Nov 18, 2019
Mileage
101,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 2, 2019

STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION IT'S GETTING WORSE EVERY DAY PLUS WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT IT DOES MAKE A GRINDING SOUND

NHTSA ID
11252726
Incident
Jun 21, 2019
Mileage
568,757 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jun 18, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED, THE ENGINE REVVED, AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHEN THE VEHICLE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. ALSO, THE "M6" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE CODES APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. *TR*JB

NHTSA ID
11221046
Incident
Jun 17, 2019
Mileage
74,000 mi

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

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