MYRModel Year Report

1996 Nissan Altima

▲ Better than typical
1996 Nissan Altima
RENDERED 2026-09-17T04:33:20.792Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Altima Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1993: 125 complaints 1993 1994: 113 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1996 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 123 complaints 1998 1999: 87 complaints 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2002: 1047 complaints 2003: 883 complaints 2003 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1091 complaints 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2008: 1028 complaints 2008 2009: 1547 complaints 2010: 380 complaints 2011: 241 complaints 2012: 425 complaints 2013: 2308 complaints 2013 2014: 1114 complaints 2015: 952 complaints 2016: 553 complaints 2017: 391 complaints 2018: 225 complaints 2018 2019: 230 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 70 complaints 2022: 30 complaints 2023: 29 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025
1996: 92 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1993125
1994113
1995180
199692
1997108
1998123
199987
2000160
2001159
20021047
2003883
2004276
20051091
2006824
2007471
20081028
20091547
2010380
2011241
2012425
20132308
20141114
2015952
2016553
2017391
2018225
2019230
2020178
202170
202230
202329
202441
20256

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 40%

40% of complaints: air bags — 37 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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!

NHTSA ODI report, 20130621

Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and SUSPENSION

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20030625

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20021024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and front underhood.

CRASH FIRE
POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift assembly.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and emission control.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20020924

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7%

7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 6 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100315 — suspension

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

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.

Campaign 10E002000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (37 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10E002000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2022 ▲ 2024 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2009 ■ 2014

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Nissan Altima reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Nissan Altima is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Nissan Altima?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Nissan Altima have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.