VehicleVerdict

1999 Nissan Altima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1999 Nissan Altima is among the quieter years of the Altima on NHTSA's books: 110 complaints (66% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 23 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (19), tires & wheels (14), and airbags (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

110

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

29

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

23

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Altima years?

Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Altima years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Nissan Altima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1917%
Tires & Wheels1413%
Airbags1312%
Visibility & Wipers87%
Engine87%
Transmission87%
Suspension76%
Speed Control76%
Fuel System55%
Seats44%
Electrical System44%
Body & Structure44%
Other33%
Steering22%
Seat Belts22%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Child Seat11%

Does the 1999 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.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

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.

“TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I WAS IN A TERRIBLE CAR ACCICENT ON 11/1/00. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND I HAD DAMAGE ON ALL FOUR SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE WORST OF THE DAMAGE WAS IN THE FRONT ... THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS GONE DOWN TO THE ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE NEVER DROVE WELL DURING THE RAIN. IN AN IRONIC…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 1, 2000 · crash

“BROKEN COIL AND FRONT SUSPENSION EXPLODED ALSO CAUSING TIRE TO FLATTEN SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT GOING OFF AAA MECHANIC DETERMINED IF I WAS DRIVING AT TIME OF INCIDERDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED PLEASE MAKE THIS A RECALL SO I CAN GET IT FIXED AT NO COST TO ME MY CAR IS MY SURVIVAL CAR WAS IN STATIONARY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 23, 2018

“WHEN WE WERE TAUGHT HOW TO DRIVE WE WERE TOLD TO PLACE OUR HANDS AT THE 10 AND 2 O'CLOCK POSITION ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IF THAT IS WHERE YOUR HANDS ARE AT THE DEPLOYMENT OF AN AIRBAG IT THROWS YOUR LEFT ARM AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD AND IT'S FRAME WHICH RESULTS IN BROKEN ARMS AND WRISTS. I THINK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 12, 2007 · crash

“I ENTERED THE FREEWAY, AND A CAR TRIED TO COME INTO MY LANE SO I MOVED TO THE RIGHT THEN MY CAR BEGAN TO SWERVE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT THEN I BEGAN TO SPIN AND I ENDED UP FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE TRAFFIC. BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK AXLES BROKE AND THE TIRES ARE BENT . *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 13, 2003 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN SHIFTING THE VEHICLE FROM PARK TO REVERSE THE RPM'S AUTOMATICALLY INCREASED TO 8000. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED FOR THE RPMS TO RETURN TO NORMAL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL MECHANIC COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 7, 2007

1999 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 1999 Nissan Altima reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 110 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Altima year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1999 Altima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (19 complaints), tires & wheels (14 complaints), airbags (13 complaints).

Does the 1999 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 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.

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.