1996 Nissan Altima

Routine

Owners filed 92 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. It has been recalled 2 times.

Not among the Nissan Altima years to avoid. Which Nissan Altima years to avoid →

Most common 1996 Nissan Altima problems

33 of the 92 complaints (36%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags20
1319
Air Bags · airbags8
102
Unknown or Other4
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration3
000
Structure › Body · body and frame3
010
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine3
010
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module · airbags3
100
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer2
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · throttle and acceleration2
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension10E002000
Filed Feb 11, 201012,657 vehiclesRide Control, LLC

Defect. RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.

Risk. THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 11, 201840 milesCA

CAR WAS DRIVING CRAZY AND TURNED OFF IN STREET.

SuspensionCrash
Filed Jun 21, 2013OH

MY CAR CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP, BUT MY CAR JUST DIDN'T & MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. EVEN BEFORE THE CRASH, THE DASH LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF, & I CAN BARELY SEE WITH MY HEADLIGHTS! ALSO, MY CAR MAKES LOUD CRANKING NOISES WHEN I TURN. EVERY CAR I SEE LIKE MINE, HAS A SMASHED UP FRONT END & HAS ALL THE SAME ISSUES. I CAN'T CURRENTLY AFFORD A NEW CAR, BUT I'M SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE MINE, BUT I HAVE NO CHOICE. HELP ME PLEASE! WHO CAN I CONTACT? I STRONGLY BELIEVE THESE CARS ARE NOT FIT FOR DRIVING. I NEED MY PROBLEMS SOLVED FAST BEFORE SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS HAPPENS! IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN HOW DANGEROUS THESE CARS TRULY ARE, I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT SOMETHING ELSE TO KEEP MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD SAFE. I DON'T HAVE THE MEANS AT THIS TIME IN MY LIFE TO BUY A SAFER AND MORE RELIABLE VEHICLE. I EVEN HAD TO TAKE TIME OFF FROM COLLEGE, BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION TO GET MYSELF THERE. IT'S VERY DEVASTATING. *TR

Tires
Filed Sep 21, 2006VA

1996 ALTIMA LEFT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. *TS *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Jan 2, 200690,000 milesFL

MY DAUGHTER'S 1996 NISSAN ALTIMA DEVELOPED AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT SOMETIMES LEFT HER STRANDED. WHEN I DISCOVERED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, I WANTED OTHERS TO KNOW. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. IT WAS BURNED AND HAD ACTUALLY MELTED THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHERE THE CONNECTORS WERE. IT WAS THE TWO WIRE CONNECTOR THAT CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. THE FUSE WAS A 15 AMP FUSE, BUT THE WIRES AND THE CONNECTORS LOOKED SMALL FOR THAT KIND OF CURRENT DRAW. THIS LOOKS TO ME LIKE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. ALSO, I FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT THE WIRE "PIGTAIL" WAS NOT AVAILABLE FROM NISSAN AS A REPAIR PART. *NM

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Jul 16, 200482,150 milesWV

I HAVE A 1996 NISSAN ALTIMA GXE. THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DEVELOPED A PROBLEM, I.E. THE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OUT - IT CONTINUED TO FLASH. UPON DIAGNOSIS BY THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY DETERMINED THE PROBLEM TO BE A MALFUNCTIONING CONTROL MODULE. THIS WILL CAUSE THE UNIT TO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. I HAVE LEARNED THROUGH THE NHTSA WEBSITE THAT NISSAN HAS HAD PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THESE AIR BAG SYSTEMS, AND MY PROBLEM MAY BE A CONTINUATION OF THESE.*AK

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Jul 13, 200470,000 milesNY

AIR BAG MODULE. LIGHT ON DASH STARTED TO FLASH . TOOK CAR TO DEALER SHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE AIRBAG MODULAR AFTER THEY CHECK OUT THE COMPUTER. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THEIR WAS A RECALL ON THIS AND HE SAID NO. I ASKED IF THIS WAS COMMON AND HE SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE IN THIS MODEL AND YEAR. THE PART COST OVER $550.00 NOT INSTALLED. HE TOLD ME TO TRY TO FIND ONE IN A JUNK YARD, TOLD ME HOW TO REMOVE AND INSTALL SAME AND EVEN OFFERED TO LET ME BORROW THE SPECIAL TOOL NEEDED TO REMOVE AND INSTALL SAME. THEN I WAS TO BRING BACK CAR TO HAVE THE LIGHT RESET, AS THIS WOULD DETERRMINE IF THE MODULAR THAT I GOT WAS ANY GOOD. IF LIGHT DIDN'T RESET THEN THAT MODULAR WAS NOT GOOD. IT WAS LAST YEAR WHEN THE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND I HAVE NOT AS YET FOUND A MODULAR IN A JUNK YARD. *LA

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed Apr 26, 2004NY

I BOUGHT MY PRE-OWNED 1996 NISSAN ALTIMA IN NOVEMBER OF 2000. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY WITH MY TRUNK WHEN IT RAINS. THE RAIN WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE TRUNK THROUGH THE REAR LIGHTS. I HAD THE SEAL CHECKED AND THAT WAS OKAY. I WENT TO TRADE IN THE CAR, FOR AN UPGRADE, AND THEY HAD ASKED ME ABOUT THE REAR LIGHTS. THEY HAD SAID THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BECAUSE OF THE LEAKS. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS TRUE AND IF NOT, I WOULD LIKE TO PUT IN A COMPLAINT ABOUT THEM. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Jan 2, 200484,000 milesIL

RE: NISSAN ALTIMA 1996: THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS TOO NEW TO GO BAD AND THERE ARE TOO MANY BAD ONES SHOWING UP. I HAD TO REPLACE IT AT A VERY HIGH COST TO ME, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Sep 22, 200396,000 milesOR

THIS COMPLAINT IS ON 1996 NISSAN ALTIMA GXE. ON 9/21/03, THE CAR FAILED TO START IN THE MORNING EVEN THOUGH IT HAD NO ISSUES THE NIGHT BEFORETHE ENGINE TURNED BUT WOULD NOT CATCH ON AND IGNITE. ON THE FOLLOWING DAY, A LOCAL MECHANIC FOUND THE ROOT CAUSE TO BE THE FAILED FUEL PUMP, THEREBY EXPLAINING THE SYMPTOMNO FUEL TO THE ENGINE, NO IGNITION. ADDITIONALLY AND MORE CRITICALLY, HE FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC HOUSING OF THE POWER CONNECTOR (POWER TO DRIVE THE PUMP) WAS SEVERELY DAMAGEDIT HAD MELTED WITH INDICATIONS FOR ARCS. THE CRITICAL ASPECT IS THAT THE BURNED/ARC-ED SIDE OF THE CONNECTOR (ELECTRICAL FEED-THROUGH) SITS INSIDE THE FUEL TANK AND WOULD SIT IN THE FUEL VAPOR WHEN THE FUEL IS LOW IN THE TANK. THIS COMBINATION OF ARCING AND FUEL VAPOR, I BELIEVE, CONSTITUTES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WITH POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE CONSEQUENCES. IT IS VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSION DID NOT MATERIALIZE. HOWEVER, THE SITUATION, I BELIEVE, DEFINITELY WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY THE MANUFACTURER AND BY NHTSA. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE DAMAGED PARTS. *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jul 24, 200374,000 milesFL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A RIGHT-ANGLED FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. NEITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.*AK *CB

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jun 4, 200385,000 milesWI

COIL SPRINGS BROKE. *AK

Air Bags
Filed Apr 3, 2003NY

AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 20, 2003MS

WHEN CHANGING THE VEHICLES GEARS THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO FORWARD AND NOT REVERSE DUE TO A BURNED OUT CLUTCH. *NLM

Air Bags
Filed Oct 24, 2002116,000 milesTX

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND THE AIR BAG COULD BE INOPERATIVE IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*JB

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Oct 19, 2002NJ

FROM THE MOMENT I'VE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT ONCE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT ANY SPEED, THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FLICKER AND DO NOT LIGHT PROPERLY. ONE SIDE DOESN'T LIGHT WHILE THE OTHER SIDE DOES. THIS EVENT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS OR RUNNING LIGHTS ON. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AS I DRIVE FOR A LIVING AND NOTICE REPEATEDLY THAT THIS INCIDENT OCCURS WITH VIRTUALLY EVERY NISSAN ALTIMA THAT I OBSERVE ON THE ROADS. I AM CONCERNED THAT BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE THIS MIGHT CAUSE A FOLLOWING VEHICLE TO NOT SEE THE BRAKE LIGHTS PROPERLY AND STRIKE ME OR I MIGHT RECIEVE A SUMMONS OR POSSIBLY FAIL VEHICLE INSPECTION. DT

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Sep 24, 2002CA

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN SLOWING DOWN THE ENGINE REV'S REALLY HIGH. CONSUMER STATES WHEN PULLING OFF VEHICLE WILL JERK LIKE ITS A MANUAL SHIFT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM

Air Bags
Filed May 1, 2002NC

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CONTROL UNIT FOR THE AIRBAG HAD FAILED. CONSUMER FEELS UNSAFE, AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Apr 10, 2002FL

MY ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE !!!!!! AND BURNED EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD INCLUDING THE HOOD NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS AT ALL WITH THE CAR NO GAS LEAKS, NOTHING TO INDICATE THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. *AK

Air Bags
Filed Jan 15, 2002NY

AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT THAT IS LOCATED ON DASH FLASHES CONSTANTLY WHEN VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Jan 15, 2002LA

BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS SQUEAKED EXCESSIVELY WHETHER NEW OR WORN. FRONT DEFOGGER VENTS ON DASH SEPARATED FROM DASH AS DASH CONTINUES TO SWELL AND DEFORM OVER TIME IN A PREMATURE MANNER I HAVE ALSO OBSERVED THIS DEFECT ON MANY OTHER ALTIMAS

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Jan 14, 2002FL

UPON INSPECTION OF BRAKE FAILURE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT UNDERBODY CORROSION PENETRATED THE BRAKE FLUID LINES CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. FURTHER, CORROSION IS SO PERVASIVE THE CAR IS BEYOND REPAIR. NISSAN HAS DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND DECLINED ANY REPARATIONS.*AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 18, 2001CA

AT FIRST ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. CURRENTLY, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ON. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Sep 18, 2001CA

I HAVE HAD CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES SQUEAKING ON THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES WORKED ON ON 3 OCCASIONS IN A 6 MONTH PERIOD AND THE BRAKES STILL SQUEAK. I'M WONDERING IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NISSAN ALTIMA BRAKES OR IF IT IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT WITH MY CAR. I HAVE HAD NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS PUT ON...SQUEAKED. THEN WE CHANGED TO ORGANIC PADS...SQUEAKED. AT THIS POINT, I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO.*AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Sep 14, 2001FL

I HAD JUST MOVED OFF FROM THE LIGHT, WHEN ABOUT HALF-WAY DOWN THE BLOCK, THICK WHITE SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING FROM UNDER MY HOOD ONTO MY WINDSHEILD. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER, AND ABANDONED THE CAR. BECAUSE I YANKED THE HOOD RELEASE ON MY WAY OUT OF THE CAR, I SAY BRIGHT YELLOW FLAMES UNDER THE SIDE OF THE HOOD. PER THE FT. LAUDERDALE FIRE DEPT INSPECTOR, THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE AREA OF THE RADIATOR FANS. THAT SHORT CAUGHT THE NEIGHBORING WIRES, RADIATOR FAN AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS ON FIRE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE NISSAN DEALER REPAIR SHOP ALL AGREED THAT THIS WAS WHAT HAPPENED. THE REPAIRS COST ABOUT $7100 AND 2 MONTHS TO FIX. I THANK GOD FOR SAVING MY LIFE. I THINK IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT CAUSED IT. THE MANUFACTURE CAN CONTACT PLANTATION NISSAN IN PLANTATION FLORIDA REGARDING THIS INCIDENT. I PRAY THAT NISSAN CAN USE THIS INFORMATION TO HELP DESIGN SAFER CARS. I JUST TRADED THE CAR BECAUSE I FELT I COULD NO BELIEVE IN ITS REASONABLE SAFETY. PLEASE NOTE: IN FOUR YEARS, THIS WAS THE FIRST MAJOR PROBLEM THAT I HAD WITH THE CAR.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Aug 6, 2001NJ

THE REPAIR PERSON SAID THIS PART IS TOO NEW TO GO BAD AND THERE ARE TOO MANY BAD ONES SHOWING UP. THANKYOU FOR YOUR TIME. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

Air Bags
Filed Jun 5, 2001MA

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED WHILE IN MOTION. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 8, 2001LA

DISTRIBUTOR LEAKED ENGINE OIL INTO THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, WHICH RESULT IN COMPLETE DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE WHILE DRIVING

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 31, 2001CA

WAS DRIVING 60MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE SIDE SWIPE ALTIMA ON PASSENGER'S SIDE BY DOOR AREA. DRIVER'S FRONT HIT DIVIDER, AND AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY.*AK

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Oct 10, 2000NY

I WAS DRIVING ONTO THE INTERSTATE, AND I WAS JUST ABOUT OFF THE ON-RAMP AND I HIT A BUMP. MY CAR'S STEERING LOST CONTROL AND IT SPUN AROUND TWICE AND I NEARLY CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE INTERSTATE. THANK GOD I GAINED CONTROL. I CHANGED MY TIRES THE NEXT DAY AND THE STEERING STILL FEELS VERY LOOSE. EVERYTIME I HIT THE SMALLEST BUMP, THE CAR FEELS UNSTABLE. I ALIGNED THE WHELLS FOR $80 AND I AM STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC SAYS EVERYTHING LOOKS FINE. PLEASE HELP. I NEVER KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I DRIVE. IT ALL FEELS VERY LOOSE LIKE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE STEERING AND THE FRONT WHEELS. IN THE RAIN I AM ESPECIALLY SCARED BECUSE IT MAKES IT 10 WORSE.

Vehicle Speed Control › Linkages
Filed Oct 4, 2000TX

THREE TIMES IN THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. NISSAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM. *AK THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, AND THE RADIATOR, AUTO TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLY AND THROTTLE VALVE SWITCH WERE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING FROM SECOND GEAR TO THIRD DUE TO CONTROL VALVE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. NEXT, THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. HOWEVER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIRING ASSEMBLY. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *YH

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 23, 2000TX

HAD CAR TWO MONTHS, EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE, TOOK CAR TO DEALER 3 TIMES COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM, FINALLY TRANSMISSION SHIFTING SOLENOID REPLACED. CON TINUED TO EXPERIENCE TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER NO TROUBLE CODES FOUND, WOULDN'T ACT UP. FINALLY TRANSMISSION DRIVE GEAR FAILED, RETURNED TO DEALER. NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION, USED TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. TWO BLOCKS FROM DEALER AT GAS PUMP CAR FAILS TO START, SHIFTER LINKAGE NOT PROPERLY ADJUSTED. RETURNED TO DEALER. NEXT MORNING NOTICED PUDDLE UNDER CAR, TRANSMISSION FLUID. RETURNED TO DEALER. THOUGHT FINALLY IT WAS FIXED. NOPE. EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE AGAIN. CALLED DEALER. WILL RETURN MONDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2000. IN FOUR MONTHS THE CAR HAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER 7 TIMES. I FINALLY SUGESTED THAT MAYBE THERE WAS A MISALIGHNMENT BETWEEN ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, THEY AGREED TO TAKE A LOOK. WE ARE NOW MAKING PAYMENTS ON A $10,000.00 CAR THAT IS NOT CAPABLE OF BEING DRIVEN MORE THAN 40 MILES WITHOUT TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING SLIPPING AND IS UNSAFE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO HAPPEN AND I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET WITH CARS COMING BOTH DIRECTIONS. I AM FED UP!!!! WHAT CAN I DO?*AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 13, 2000KS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Sep 10, 2000OK

VEHICHLE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON APPROXIMATELY 45MPH FRONT END IMPACT CRASH

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Aug 28, 2000AL

SUN ROOF FAILED. *MJS

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Jul 21, 2000NY

WHILE TRAVLING AND WHEN MAKING A SHORT STOP AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. PLASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Air Bags › Side/WindowCrash
Filed Jun 29, 2000AZ

AFTER VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND BURSTED FROM THE SEAM, CAUSING CHEMICAL POWDER TO SPILL INTO VEHICLE, ONTO THE FACE OF THE PASSENGER, RESULTING IN DIFFICULTY BREATHING. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Air Bags
Filed Jun 16, 2000GA

I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT I HAVE AN EXTENTED WARRANTY THAT CLEARLY STATES THAT AIRBAG SENSORS ARE NOT COVERED, HOWEVER, THE DIANOSTICS INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS AN AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT. WHICH DIDN'T STATE THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER AND THE NISSAN COORPORATE OFFICE AND ALTHOUGH I HAVE A CASE NUMBER WHICH IS 3146876 HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY POSITIVE RESULTS JUST THE NORMAL RED TAPE A CONSUMER ENCOUNTERS. IN ANY CASE, I FEEL THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTUER DEDECT AS ANY SAFETY DEVICES SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE OR AT LEAST 100,000 MILES. ALSO THE DEALER THAT I PUT ON THIS FORM IS THE SERVICING DEALER. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN SANFORD, NC. PLEASE ASSIST ME WITH THIS MATTER AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVIENCE. THANK YOU KINDLY. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed May 22, 2000GA

VEHICLE SKIDDED, HIT A CONCRETE WALL ON THE LEFT, REAR ENDED BY A TRUCK, HIT A CONCRETE WALL ON THE RIGHT AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG, VEHICLE TOTALLED IN CRASH. *CJ

Air Bags › Side/WindowCrash1 injured
Filed May 15, 2000FL

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AT THE SPEED OF 35-40 MPH, AND NEITHER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SOME INJURY. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Apr 7, 2000WI

VEHICLE WAS SITTING INSIDE OF THE CHURCH PARKING LOT. ANOTHER VEHICLE BACKED UP IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND BOTH AIRBAGS WENT OFF. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › GasolineFire
Filed Mar 29, 2000TX

POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN ENGINE FIRE. *MJS

Air Bags › FrontalCrash3 injured
Filed Jan 22, 2000GA

AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY - CAR WAS TOTALLED. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 20, 2000PA

VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AFTER BEING TEST DRIVEN. THE PROBLEM WOULD HAPPEN AT LEAST 5 TIMES IN ONE DAY. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER & INFORMED HAD NOT HEARD OF THAT PROBLEM BEFORE. DID NOT OFFER ANY HELP. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 15, 2000VA

NP SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 6, 2000FL

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON, BUT FIRESTONE TECHNICIANS INDICATE THEY ARE UNABLE TO RECEIVE AN UNDERSTANDABLE CODE TO INDICATE WHICH SYSTEM IS FAILING WHEN THEY DID THE DIAGNOSTIC. IT RECEIVED A 707, BUT APPARENTLY THIS IS NOT A CODE THAT GOES WITH ANY FAILURE. THEY HAVE TOLD ME TO GO DIRECTLY TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHY THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS COMING ON. IT MAY BE SOMETHING TO NOTE, THAT THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON NEW YEAR'S DAY...COULD THIS MEAN THERE IS A Y2K COMPUTER THING GOING ON? PLEASE HELP! THANK YOU, HEATHER. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 23, 1999AL

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS NOT DRIVING FAST ENOUGH FOR THE AIR BAGS TO HAVE DEPLOYED. CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE MAKING, IT WAS HARD TO SEE THE ROAD. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Nov 15, 1999GA

I CONTACTED A NISSAN DEALER PARTS DEPT. THEY REPORTED TO ME THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON, AND THE CAM SENSOR IS NOW REPAIRED IN A NEWLY DESIGNED DISTRIBUTOR, BUT ALL THE ORIGINAL CAM SENSORS IN THE FACTORY DISTRIBUTORS WERE EXPERIENCING A HIGH FAILURE RATE. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Nov 5, 1999VA

NO SUMMARY

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Oct 19, 1999VA

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ABSOLUTELY ANY KIND OF IMPACT, CAUSING $2600 WORTH OF DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE INJURIES TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 2, 1999NJ

WAS COMING TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN ENGINE STARTED RACING, ALMOST TOOK OFF. HAD FOOT ON BRAKES AT TIME. TURNED VEHICLE OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER NEXT DAY & MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF ENGINE RACING. HAS HAPPENED TWICE ALREADY. *AK

Complaints 1-50 of 92, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2013
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20261000Routine
20257200Routine
202441110Routine
202330010Routine
202231010Routine
202171210Routine
2020161651Fatalities reported
2019234750Above average
2018226200Above average
2017393370Above average
2016555431Fatalities reported
20159551050Above average
20141,114881Fatalities reported
20132,3141291Fatalities reported
2012426420Above average
2011242150Above average
2010381390Above average
20091,547482Fatalities reported
20081,0314132Fatalities reported
20074713222Fatalities reported
20068244140Above average
20051,0912180Above average
2004276530Above average
200388310132Fatalities reported
20021,04712280High concern
2001159224Fatalities reported
2000160250Routine
199987430Routine
1998123420Routine
1997108350Routine
1996 — this page92250Routine
1995180570Routine
1994106420Routine
1993122330Routine

Compare every Altima year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 11, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.