1996 Nissan Altima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1996 Nissan Altima is among the quieter years of the Altima on NHTSA's books: 117 complaints (63% below the model's median year), 2 recalls, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 18 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 38 reports (33% of the total).

117

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other Altima years?

Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Altima years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Nissan Altima problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Airbags	38	32%	▼ down
Electrical System	13	11%	— flat
Engine	10	9%	▼ down
Transmission	9	8%	▼ down
Speed Control	7	6%	▼ down
Brakes	6	5%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	5	4%	▲ up
Lighting	5	4%	— flat
Fuel System	4	3%	▼ down
Other	4	3%	▼ down
Body & Structure	4	3%	— flat
Suspension	4	3%	▼ down
Steering	3	3%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	2	2%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	1	1%	▼ down
Seat Belts	1	1%	▼ down
Seats	1	1%	▼ down

Does the 1996 Nissan Altima have recalls?

2 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 23, 2000 · crash

“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”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 25, 2002 · fire

“THE UPPER OIL PAN SEAL IS NOT SECURE. THIS CAUSES OIL TO LEAK FROM ENGINE. I AM FAMILIAR WITH FOUR OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ( ALTIMA OWNERS). THE SEAL ITSELF IS VERY INEXPENSIVE, BUT THE LABOR TO LIFT THE ENGINE TO REPLACE THE SEAL, IS ESTIMATED AT APPROXIMATELY $450 TO $600. WITH…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 24, 1998

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 26, 2000

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 23, 1999

1996 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 1996 Nissan Altima reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 117 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Altima year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1996 Altima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (38 complaints), electrical system (13 complaints), engine (10 complaints).

Does the 1996 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1996 compare to other Altima years?

What are the most common 1996 Nissan Altima problems?

Does the 1996 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1996 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 1996 Nissan Altima reliable?

What are the most common 1996 Altima problems?

Does the 1996 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Which Nissan Altima years should you avoid?

Related