1999 Nissan Altima

▲ Better than typical
1999 Nissan Altima
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:58:21.572Z

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, 1999 highlighted. 1993: 122 complaints 1993 1994: 106 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 123 complaints 1998 1999: 87 complaints 1999 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: 423 complaints 2013: 2303 complaints 2013 2014: 1111 complaints 2015: 941 complaints 2016: 544 complaints 2017: 382 complaints 2018: 223 complaints 2018 2019: 223 complaints 2020: 172 complaints 2021: 67 complaints 2022: 28 complaints 2023: 28 complaints 2023 2024: 39 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025
1999: 87 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1993122
1994106
1995180
199692
1997108
1998123
199987
2000160
2001159
20021047
2003883
2004276
20051091
2006824
2007471
20081028
20091547
2010380
2011241
2012423
20132303
20141111
2015941
2016544
2017382
2018223
2019223
2020172
202167
202228
202328
202439
20256

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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

TIRES 8%

8% of complaints: tires — 7 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7%

7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 6 distinct reports on file.

TIRES 5%

5% of complaints: tires — 4 distinct reports on file.

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 20090511 — exterior lighting

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

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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

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

1999 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (6 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

▲ 2024 ▲ 2021 ▲ 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2009 ■ 2014

See all years ranked →

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 air bags:frontal, accounting for 10% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Nissan Altima have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.