1999 Nissan Altima
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 125 |
| 1994 | 113 |
| 1995 | 180 |
| 1996 | 92 |
| 1997 | 108 |
| 1998 | 123 |
| 1999 | 87 |
| 2000 | 160 |
| 2001 | 159 |
| 2002 | 1047 |
| 2003 | 883 |
| 2004 | 276 |
| 2005 | 1091 |
| 2006 | 824 |
| 2007 | 471 |
| 2008 | 1028 |
| 2009 | 1547 |
| 2010 | 380 |
| 2011 | 241 |
| 2012 | 425 |
| 2013 | 2308 |
| 2014 | 1114 |
| 2015 | 952 |
| 2016 | 553 |
| 2017 | 391 |
| 2018 | 225 |
| 2019 | 230 |
| 2020 | 178 |
| 2021 | 70 |
| 2022 | 30 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
21% of complaints: service brakes — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH INJURY15% of complaints: air bags — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT MADE A SHARP LEFT TURN ACROSS THE CONTACT'S LANE. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20181126
WHILE DRIVING FORTY MILES PER HOUR THIS VEHICLE REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT END WAS TOTALLY SMASHED, BUT NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACED. DRIVER SUFFERED A BRUSED CHEST, AND SEVERE HEADACHES. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19991203
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19990503
13% of complaints: tires — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt.
9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing exhaust system and gasoline.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
MY 99 NISSAN ALTIMA GXE IS STALLING WHEN STOPPING FOR RED LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN CONSISTENTLY AND I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I AM SCARED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AND THAT SOMEONE MAY HIT ME FROM BEHIND.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130622
9% of complaints: visibility — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing sun/moon roof assembly and power window devices and controls.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
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
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
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
1999 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for tires issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10E002000 (suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1999 Nissan Altima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Nissan Altima is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Nissan Altima?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Nissan Altima have?
4 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.