Recall 15V486 covers 46,846 2013-2016 Nissan Altima and Maxima vehicles because fuel can leak during a crash. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
Nissan is recalling 46,846 2013-2016 Altima and Maxima vehicles because an improperly seated fuel tank o-ring can let fuel leak during a crash. A fuel leak raises the risk of fire after a crash, and the Nissan dealer repair will be free once Nissan makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The fuel sending unit on affected 2013-2016 Nissan Altima and Maxima vehicles sits at the fuel tank and helps the vehicle measure fuel level and move fuel through the tank opening without leakage. An o-ring seals the area where that unit attaches to the tank. In normal service, that seal keeps gasoline inside the tank as the vehicle moves and the tank flexes.
On these vehicles, a fuel tank supplier's manufacturing process allowed the o-ring to be installed out of position during assembly. If the seal is not seated correctly, the attachment point at the fuel sending unit is not fully sealed. During a crash, fuel can leak from that area of the tank.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is with how the seal was seated at assembly, so an owner should not expect a smell, light, or drivability change before the crash-related leak condition appears.
Who's affected?
Covers Altima sedans from 2013, 2014, and 2015 and Maxima sedans from 2016, all tied to the fuel system.
| 2013 Nissan Altima | fuel system |
|---|---|
| 2014 Nissan Altima | fuel system |
| 2015 Nissan Altima | fuel system |
| 2016 Nissan Maxima | fuel system |
| Units affected | 46,846 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
In recall 15V486, fuel leaking from between the fuel sending unit and tank raises fire risk in a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the dealer repair and follow Nissan instructions until it is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised Nissan dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2016 Nissan Altima or Maxima is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Nissan dealer to ask whether the free fuel-tank retainer-ring repair is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 15V486 when you call, and bring the Nissan recall notice if you have it.
- Ask the dealer to install the retainer ring between the fuel tank and fuel sending unit to help prevent fuel leakage in a crash.
- Call Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261 with questions about your vehicle or repair status.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Nissan technician installs a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit. That ring helps secure the sending unit area where the fuel tank seal was not seated correctly during assembly. The final dealer repair will be free once Nissan opens it for your VIN. Nissan's standard reimbursement plan applies to documented related repairs paid before the recall notice. If you already paid for a fuel tank or fuel sending unit repair tied to this defect, keep your receipts and contact Nissan customer service about reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 4, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 28, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V486?
Recall 15V486 covers 46,846 2013-2015 Nissan Altima and 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles with a fuel-system o-ring that was not seated correctly during assembly. In a crash, fuel can leak where the fuel sending unit attaches to the tank, increasing fire risk.
What should I do if my 2013-2015 Nissan Altima or 2016 Nissan Maxima is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V486. If it is, contact a franchised Nissan dealer and ask for the retainer ring installation between the fuel tank and fuel sending unit. Reference recall number 15V486 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Nissan dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit free of charge at any franchised Nissan dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fuel leakage during a crash. Nissan reports that an improperly seated o-ring can let fuel leak from the area where the fuel sending unit attaches to the tank. Fuel leakage in a crash increases the risk of fire.
What if I bought my Nissan Altima or Maxima used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to honor the repair regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Altima or Maxima is included, then call a franchised Nissan dealer with recall number 15V486.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V486000 |
|---|---|
| Nissan customer service | 1-800-647-7261 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V486 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V486000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →