The Nissan Altima is a reliable car. It offers efficiency in gas mileage and has ample cargo space. These factors make it one of the most popular sedans in the market.
As we all know, no car is perfect. Different cars have been associated with certain issues in the past. For the Altima, a common complaint often launched against it is regarding driver seat problems.
Even though driver seat issues have been reported in several car brands, Altima seems to receive more complaints. This probably depends on how the seat is manufactured and the quality of the parts used.
If you own or plan to buy a Nissan Altima, you must familiarize yourself with these issues. Not only will you know what to expect, but you will be able to diagnose and fix some of these issues easily.
Let’s dive straight into the most common Nissan Altima driver seat problems.
1. A Stuck Driver’s Seat
Car seats often get stuck after several years of use. The mechanism behind the reclining factor may jam because of dirt, or it may wear out. The driver’s seat in your Altima is usually the first victim because it’s the one that is commonly used.
A stuck driver seat may manifest this issue in several ways. You may recline it to a certain position, and it can decline to go back to normal. Alternatively, it may get stuck in the usual position and refuse to recline back and forward.
If the driver’s seat on your Nissan Altima is stuck, you need to check if anything is blocking the motor beneath the seat.
Regular cleaning of the area around your seat motor can prevent dust and debris from accumulating and preventing the motor from functioning.
If everything looks okay, either the reclining switch or the seat motor may be damaged. In such instances, the best solution is usually replacement.
The guys at your dealership should have a switch and motor for your Nissan Altima seats. They should also do the repairs or replacements for you. If you possess some mechanical skills, you can always do it yourself.
Before taking your car to a mechanic or dealer, always check that all mechanical parts are well connected.
For car owners whose dealers happen to be not within reach, you can visit your local junkyard and see if they have any salvaged motors or switches.
One way you can diagnose whether you are dealing with a faulty switch or motor is by checking the behavior of the stuck seat.
If the seat can recline in one way and not the other, that is a problem with the switch. But, if nothing is moving at all, then the motor may be dead.
If your Altima is still under warranty, you shouldn’t pay for seat repairs at the dealership. The cost of repairing a stuck Altima seat can vary depending on the particular problem.
You can also get a replacement switch from Amazon. But you have to be careful so that you don’t get the wrong thing.
2. Airbag Light Not Coming On/Off
Modern Nissan Altima vehicles have a safety feature whereby the airbags can only be deployed if the seats sense that someone is seated. If this sensor becomes faulty, there is a huge chance that the airbag won’t deploy when involved in an accident.
You can diagnose this issue when you notice the airbag light misbehaving whenever you are inside the Nissan Altima.
Driving around with a faulty airbag sensor switch on your seat is risky.
This is because you can easily get harmed when involved in an accident since the airbags won’t deploy.
This issue can be fixed by replacing the airbag sensor on your driver’s seat. Similar to switches and motors, this should be available at your dealership.
The local mechanics may have some obtained from a junkyard or a similar vehicle. Considering that this is a safety issue, you should fix the airbag sensor as soon as possible.
Please note that the Airbag seat sensor issue is common in the 2013 Nissan Altima. So, if you own such a model, prepare to experience a similar issue in the future.
Before reporting this issue to the dealer, confirm that all connections are well-fastened under your seat.
3. Noises Coming from the Lower Back Driver Seat
Funny enough, this is a complaint that has been launched against modern Nissan Altimas. When you hear noise coming from your driver’s seat, that is usually a clear indication that your vehicle is old.
However, if you experience the same on a fairly new car, you have to raise some concerns. Noises coming from the Nissan Altima driver seat are often associated with the shifting of springs.
It seems that, nowadays, Nissan is using low-quality springs that can’t handle excess weight.
Even though some dealers may consider this normal, it is very far from that. When you sit in your driver’s car seat, you are not supposed to hear any noise. And if you are, then that means something is broken, or it’s on the verge of doing so.
Regarding noises coming from the Altima driver’s seat, there isn’t much we can do about it. Unless you have the time to disassemble the entire vehicle, take apart the springs, then re-install them.
This is a lot of work, and you may worsen the issue in the process. So, if you are hearing funny noises coming from the driver’s seat, you better get used to it.
4. Broken Seat Frame
If you have an above-average weight, don’t be surprised when your driver’s seat starts wobbling all of a sudden. This issue is common in Altima’s from 2013 to around 2015.
The majority of the complainants have admitted that they are a bit heavier than the normal person. But does that justify these issues?
These days, it seems that Nissan is either using a low-quality seat frame or the metal used isn’t thick enough to accommodate slightly heavier weights.
In case the seat of your Altima starts to wobble around, then probably the frame is damaged.
You will have to take the vehicle to an upholstery expert, who will remove the driver’s seat, weld, and patch any loose metal parts. And then reattach the seat. Ford owners also experience a similar problem.
5. Inability to Move the Front Seat of Your Altima Back or Forward
Forget about reclining. There are instances when the seat of your Altima may decline to move back and forth.
If you are the only person who drives your car, you may not come across such an issue because your driver seat position always remains constant.
But if another person steps in and happens to be shorter or taller, they may move the seat and run into this problem.
Quite often, a Nissan Altima driver seat that can’t move back and forward is usually caused by easy-to-fix issues. An object blocking one of the two slides can cause your seat to jam.
A lego, piece of rock, or even dust buildup can make it hard for you to move your seat across these slides. Before resulting in more severe measures, you may want to give this a try. If it works, then go about your business.
But if it doesn’t, your seat motor could be dead. Because other than facilitating the relining unction, the seat motor is responsible for moving the seat back and forth.
6. Sagging Front Seat
Mattresses aren’t the only things that sag. Your car seat can also sag. After some time, the springs on your Nissan Altima can wear out completely.
This should cause the seat bottom to sag whenever you sit on it. The driver’s seat is the first victim of sagging because it is the most frequently used.
There is no quick fix for sagging seats other than replacing the bottom springs.
Some technicians specialize in such repairs. You will have to locate one near you and take it there for restoration.
Sagging of car seats is inevitable. It’s one of the things that occur when your car ages. It’s something that you have to prepare for.
If the car was involved in an accident, the seat springs could also lose bearing and sag. Therefore, this isn’t an issue that only affects old cars.
What is the Leading Cause of Nissan Altima Driver Seat Problems?
Most driver seat problems occur when the seats become old. However, other than old age, there is another popular cause for Nissan Altima driver seat issues: the power seat switch.
A faulty switch can become a source of headache for most Altima owners. It is responsible for most seat functions, and even though the motor is the source of power, the biggest culprit in most seat issues is the power switch.
A faulty power switch can manifest the following problems;
- It can cause the seat not to move back or forward.
- It can cause the seat functions to operate slowly.
- It can cause some operations to stop in the middle of the action.
Suppose you notice these issues. It’s advisable to look at the condition of the switch. If you have no prior experience, you can take it to a mechanic for a professional diagnosis. Another culprit worth looking into is a blown fuse.