VehicleVerdict

1995 Nissan Altima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1995 Nissan Altima is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 216 owner complaints run below the Altima median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 47 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 61 reports (28% of the total).

216

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

49

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

47

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other Altima years?

Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 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, 1995 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Altima years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 Nissan Altima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags6128%
Engine3014%
Transmission2713%
Speed Control199%
Electrical System178%
Suspension105%
Brakes105%
Fuel System73%
Seat Belts63%
Other63%
Body & Structure42%
Lighting42%
Latches & Locks42%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Tires & Wheels31%
Seats21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Steering10%

Does the 1995 Nissan Altima have recalls?

5 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.

95V008000BrakesJanuary 24, 1995 · 68 units

Defect

CERTAIN OF THE BRAKE HOSES FOR THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WERE ROUTED INCORRECTLY SO THAT CONTACT IS MADE WITH A SUSPENSION COMPONENT. THIS CAUSES ABRASION TO THE HOSE AND EVENTUAL LEAKAGE.

Consequence

A LEAKING BRAKE HOSE REDUCES BRAKING CAPABILITY, INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCES AND INCREASES THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE IF IT IS ROUTED CORRECTLY. MISROUTED HOSES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE, REPLACED IF NECESSARY, AND CORRECTLY ROUTED.

94V165000TransmissionSeptember 2, 1994 · 1,000 units

Defect

THE SHIFT LEVER LOCK PLATE, WHICH PREVENTS THE SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING INADVERTENTLY MOVED FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR NEUTRAL POSITION, CAN BE BROKEN BY THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION PIN.

Consequence

INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER WITHOUT OPERATOR ACTION CAN CAUSE VEHICLE MOVEMENT WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRACKET TO PREVENT THE SHIFT POSITION PIN FROM BREAKING THE SHIFT LEVER LOCK PLATE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“AS CONSUMER WAS COMPLETING A TURN TO PULL FORWARD ONTO THE ROAD, WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ACCOMPANIED BY A FIRE. *PH THE CONSUMER HAD CONTACTED NISSAN FOR TWO REASONS #1 THERE WAS NO IMPACT OF ANY KIND OR ACCIDENT AND #2 NISSAN ENGINEERS SHOULD FIND OUT WHY THE AIR BAS DEPLOYED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 23, 2003 · fire

“MY BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS SCREECHED, THE DOME LIGHT NEVER WORKED, THE SENSOR FOR ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAD TO BE REPLACED, LEAK FROM OIL PAN DEFECTIVE SEAL, THE STARTER HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THERE WERE ALWAYS EXCUSES FOR THE MALFUNCTION WE HAD TO PAY FOR MOST OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 18, 2001 · crash

“VEHICLE JUMPED INTO DRIVE AND ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING A COLLI SION WHICH RESULTED IN MINOR INJURIES. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT NOTIFIED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *ML”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 9, 2000 · crash

“TRAVELING 70MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AND BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN, BUT CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT RELEASE. SWERVED TO AVOID VEHICLES IN FRONT. HIT CONCRETE BARRIER SEVERAL TIMES. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CRUISE CONTROL NEVER RELEASED. DRIVER SUFFERED WHIPLASH. PASSENGER HAD BROKEN BONES &…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 19, 1999 · crash

“MY BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS SCREECHED, THE DOME LIGHT NEVER WORKED, THE SENSOR FOR ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAD TO BE REPLACED, LEAK FROM OIL PAN DEFECTIVE SEAL, THE STARTER HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THERE WERE ALWAYS EXCUSES FOR THE MALFUNCTION WE HAD TO PAY FOR MOST OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 18, 2001 · crash

1995 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 1995 Nissan Altima reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 216 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Altima year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1995 Altima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (61 complaints), engine (30 complaints), transmission (27 complaints).

Does the 1995 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1995 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.