Same problems as 2013, slightly fewer
The 2014 Altima kept the 2013's issues: dim headlights, CVT failures and passenger air bag faults. Complaints per car are lower than 2013 but still well above average.
Updated November 2026 · based on 1,113 owner complaints and 8 recalls
332 1.6x the Altima average
8 free to fix at a dealer
Every Altima year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2014 Altima
Top problems and what they cost
Dim headlights
The most common complaint: low beams dimming over time.
Fix: Headlight assemblies $300 to $800 per side.
Exterior lighting
CVT loss of power
The car loses drive at a stop or shudders.
Fix: CVT replacement $3,500 to $5,000.
Transmission
Passenger air bag
Seat sensor recalls apply here too.
Fix: Free under recall.
Air bags
Recalls
If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated.
If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated.
If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of...
Show all 8 recalls
If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of...
Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2014 Nissan Altima
- Confirm every recall shows as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2014 Altima has 8 recalls on record, listed below.
- Check the headlights at dusk.Lights fail on some of these cars because of failing LED boards, connectors or water in the housing. Brake and tail lights matter most, so use a helper to check them.299 of the 1,113 owner complaints about the 2014 Altima involve the lights (27%).
- Ask for CVT fluid change or replacement records.A CVT is a gearless automatic transmission that uses a belt. Worn ones shudder, whine or slip, and replacing one often costs $3,000 to $5,000, so service records matter.Owners filed 135 complaints about CVT transmission problems on the 2014 Altima, one of the worst years for it.
Questions
Is the 2014 Nissan Altima reliable?
Same problems as 2013, slightly fewer. The 2014 Altima kept the 2013's issues: dim headlights, CVT failures and passenger air bag faults. Complaints per car are lower than 2013 but still well above average.
How many recalls does the 2014 Nissan Altima have?
8 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2014 Nissan Altima problems?
Dim headlights; CVT loss of power; Passenger air bag.
Crash rating shown for the 2014 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.