VehicleVerdict

1994 Nissan Altima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1994 Nissan Altima is among the quieter years of the Altima on NHTSA's books: 120 complaints (62% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 33 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 42 reports (35% of the total).

120

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

37

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

33

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1994 compare to other Altima years?

Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 highlighted2,976 complaints1993: 150 complaints1994: 120 complaints1995: 216 complaints1996: 117 complaints1997: 141 complaints1998: 141 complaints1999: 110 complaints2000: 199 complaints2001: 202 complaints2002: 1,321 complaints2003: 1,099 complaints2004: 334 complaints2005: 1,364 complaints2006: 1,043 complaints2007: 598 complaints2008: 1,376 complaints2009: 2,150 complaints2010: 541 complaints2011: 320 complaints2012: 577 complaints2013: 2,976 complaints2014: 1,391 complaints2015: 1,197 complaints2016: 781 complaints2017: 507 complaints2018: 320 complaints2019: 344 complaints2020: 278 complaints2021: 111 complaints2022: 52 complaints2023: 37 complaints2024: 60 complaints2025: 10 complaints
Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Altima years to avoid →

What are the most common 1994 Nissan Altima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags4235%
Engine1412%
Electrical System1412%
Speed Control119%
Suspension76%
Fuel System54%
Tires & Wheels54%
Brakes43%
Visibility & Wipers33%
Lighting33%
Transmission33%
Body & Structure22%
Seat Belts22%
Other22%
Steering11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Seats11%

Does the 1994 Nissan Altima have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10E002000SuspensionFebruary 11, 2010 · 12,657 units

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.

Consequence

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

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.

Consequence

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.

03V150000AirbagsApril 25, 2003 · 190,000 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING MY 1994 AND EARLY 1995 ALTIMA VEHICLES FOLLOWING REPORTS THAT PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN THESE VEHICLES HAD CAUSED A NUMBER OF MODERATE-TO-SEVERE EYE INJURIES. NISSAN HAS DEVELOPED A NEW PASSENGER AIR BAG THAT IS LESS POWERFUL WHEN IT INFLATES IN A CRASH TO REDUCE THE RISK OF AIR BAG INFLATION-RELATED INJURIES.

Consequence

NISSAN EXPECTS THAT THIS NEW AIR BAG CAN HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF AIR BAG INFLATION-RELATED INJURIES.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS REPORTED THAT OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 28, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

94V035000Speed ControlFebruary 28, 1994 · 206,000 units

Defect

ENGINE MOVEMENT CAN BE TRANSMITTED TO THE AIRFLOW METER/FILTER HOUSING AND SUPPORT BRACKET, WHICH IS MOUNTED IN THE ENGINE AIR DUCT, CAUSING THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING TO PULL OUT OF THE CABLE GUIDE. THIS MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL REPOSITION THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING IN THE SUPPORT BRACKET TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SLACK FOR ENGINE MOVEMENT. A RUBBER STOPPER WILL BE CLAMPED TO THE CABLE TO MAINTAIN THE CORRECT POSITION FOR THE CABLE AT THE SUPPORT BRACKET. IN ADDITION, THE THROTTLE CABLE WILL BE TESTED FOR PULL OUT RESISTANCE FROM THE GUIDE IN THE EVENT THE CABLE WAS DAMAGED. THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED, IF NECESSARY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY STREET TRAVELLING ABOUT 20MPH, PULLED INTO THE LEFT HAND TURNING LANE AS PROCEEDING TO MAKE THE TURN, A VEHICLE IN THE FAST LANE HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND TOTALLED IT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. AIRBAG DEPLOYED LATER AFTER THE CRASH AS DRIVER UNBUCKLED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 23, 1999 · crash

“1. MY AND EVERY OTHER MID 90'S ALTIMA HAS GOT FOGGED HEADLIGHTS THAT BARELY ILLUMINATE ANY LIGHT THROUGH. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? 2. I HAVE HAD THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE REPLACED TWICE, BOTH TIMES COSTING AROUND $1,500.00 AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 19, 2006

“ON 2/12/2004 CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE AND SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON, AND DROVE TO WORK. WITHIN TWO MINUTES, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 12, 2004 · fire

“COMING TO RED LIGHT, STEPPED ON BRAKES, VEHICLE TOOK OFF SUDDENLY, TRIED SHIFTING, NOTHING HAPPENED TO STOP VEHICLE; REARENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT. VEHICLE NOT AT DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS MODEL (94V-035). *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · January 10, 1997 · crash

“CONSUMER STATES AS SHE WAS DRIVING TOWARD THE FREEWAY, SHE HEARD A SOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE THE ENTIRE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE HAD HIT THE PAVEMENT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE COIL SPRINGS BROKE IN TWO PLACES, CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY FOUR MECHANICS THAT PART…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 6, 2001

1994 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 1994 Nissan Altima reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 120 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Altima year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1994 Altima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (42 complaints), electrical system (14 complaints), engine (14 complaints).

Does the 1994 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1994 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1994 Nissan Altima under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Altima years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Altima years to avoid are 2013, 2009, 2014, 2008, 2005, 2002, 2015, 2003, 2006, 2016, 2007, 2012, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022. The cleanest record among Altima years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.