Why won't my Altima Hybrid start or show READY?

Short answer: If your Altima Hybrid lights up but won't go to READY, start with the 12-volt battery and make sure the brake is pressed firmly and the fob is detected. If it only fails on wet days, an ignition coil shorting in the damp is a likely cause. If it needs a jump and then won't move, or the brakes feel wrong, don't drive it; have it towed to a Nissan dealer.

Symptom: You press the start button and the dash lights and radio come on, but the READY light never appears, the engine won't catch, or the car won't move.

What to check first

1. Press the brake firmly, then press start. Try the spare fob or hold the fob near the start button.
2. Have the 12-volt battery load-tested and clean its terminals.
3. If it fails on rainy days, check the coils in the dark while someone tries to start it, looking for sparks.
4. Get the codes read, including the hybrid system.
5. Run your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Likely causes

1. Weak 12-volt battery. The 12-volt battery wakes up the hybrid system. If it's weak, the car may light up but never reach READY.
2. Brake not pressed or key fob not detected. With push-button start, if the car doesn't see the brake pedal or the fob, it just turns on accessories like you pressed the button alone.
3. Ignition coil shorting in wet weather. These cars use a coil on each spark plug. A cracked coil can short out when it's damp, so the engine won't catch on rainy days.
4. Hybrid system fault. Nissan licensed Toyota's hybrid system for this car. Faults in it need a dealer-level scan.

What it usually costs

Owners in these threads didn't post prices.

Is it safe to keep driving?

A car that won't start isn't dangerous parked. A car that needed a jump and has odd brake behavior is not safe to drive. Have it towed.

DIY or shop?

Fob battery, 12-volt battery and coils are DIY. Hybrid system problems are dealer work. A hybrid's high-voltage system can stay live even with the car off. Leave the orange cables and the big battery to a hybrid-trained shop.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: NHTSA's recall lookup under 'Altima Hybrid' lists 08V521000 (passenger airbag occupant sensor on some 2007-2008 cars), which isn't about starting. Run your VIN for anything else. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. NHTSA's complaint lookup doesn't separate the hybrid from the regular model, so this count covers the whole model line. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 233 keyword-matched complaints for Nissan Altima (all versions) 2007–2011 (of 3041 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-30; keywords: hybrid, ready, won t start, no start, crank) (NHTSA returned no data for 5 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 07 Nissan Altima Hybrid wont start on rainy days on Car Talk, a 2007 Altima Hybrid often wouldn't start on rainy days. Pressing the button acted like the brake wasn't pressed: lights and radio came on, but the engine didn't. Members suggested the ignition side, a cracked coil shorting out in the rain (look for sparks in the dark), and also the battery if it isn't cranking.
• In 2007 nissan altima hybrid won't start on Car Talk, a 2007 Altima Hybrid that ran out of gas with the previous owner wouldn't go to READY, even with a charged 12-volt battery and a replaced hybrid battery. A member noted Nissan licensed Toyota's hybrid system and said it probably needed a Nissan dealer.
• In 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid needs jumpstart, but won't move on Car Talk, a 2008 Altima Hybrid would only start with a jump and then wouldn't move, and the brakes weren't working right. A member said to have it towed to a Nissan dealer rather than drive it.

Quick tip

Most no-READY problems start with the little battery or the start routine. If it's only on wet days, look at the coils before you spend money on hybrid parts.

Vehicle focus: Nissan Altima Hybrid, 2007-2011.

Safety / mechanic note

Brake and drive-power problems are safety items. Verify with a mechanic.