SUSPENSION
1993 Nissan Altima
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 122 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Nissan Altima, most frequently naming the driver assistance, airbags and seat belts categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 42 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 1996 | 1 | 33 |
| Dec 1996 | 1 | 34 |
| Jan 1997 | 1 | 35 |
| Mar 1997 | 2 | 37 |
| May 1997 | 3 | 40 |
| Jun 1997 | 2 | 42 |
| Jul 1997 | 1 | 43 |
| Oct 1997 | 1 | 44 |
| Nov 1997 | 1 | 45 |
| Dec 1997 | 1 | 46 |
| Jan 1998 | 1 | 47 |
| Feb 1998 | 1 | 48 |
| Mar 1998 | 1 | 49 |
| Apr 1998 | 3 | 52 |
| May 1998 | 2 | 54 |
| Jul 1998 | 1 | 55 |
| Aug 1998 | 2 | 57 |
| Oct 1998 | 4 | 61 |
| Nov 1998 | 1 | 62 |
| Dec 1998 | 1 | 63 |
| Jan 1999 | 4 | 67 |
| Apr 1999 | 2 | 69 |
| Jun 1999 | 2 | 71 |
| Jul 1999 | 2 | 73 |
| Oct 1999 | 1 | 74 |
| Nov 1999 | 1 | 75 |
| Jan 2000 | 1 | 76 |
| Feb 2000 | 1 | 77 |
| May 2000 | 5 | 82 |
| Jun 2000 | 2 | 84 |
| Aug 2000 | 1 | 85 |
| Sep 2000 | 3 | 88 |
| Oct 2000 | 2 | 90 |
| Nov 2000 | 2 | 92 |
| Dec 2000 | 1 | 93 |
| May 2001 | 3 | 96 |
| Aug 2001 | 1 | 97 |
| Sep 2001 | 1 | 98 |
| Nov 2001 | 1 | 99 |
| Mar 2002 | 1 | 100 |
| Jun 2002 | 2 | 102 |
| Jul 2002 | 1 | 103 |
| Aug 2002 | 1 | 104 |
| Nov 2002 | 1 | 105 |
| Mar 2003 | 1 | 106 |
| Sep 2003 | 1 | 107 |
| Oct 2003 | 1 | 108 |
| Apr 2004 | 1 | 109 |
| Jan 2005 | 1 | 110 |
| Feb 2005 | 2 | 112 |
| Jul 2005 | 1 | 113 |
| Aug 2005 | 1 | 114 |
| Apr 2006 | 1 | 115 |
| Oct 2006 | 1 | 116 |
| Apr 2008 | 1 | 117 |
| Mar 2009 | 1 | 118 |
| Feb 2011 | 1 | 119 |
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 120 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 121 |
| Jan 2017 | 1 | 122 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Driver assistance3424.8%
- Airbags1913.9%
- Seat belts1913.9%
- Engine1611.7%
- Visibility85.8%
- Electrical85.8%
- Fuel system85.8%
- Body & structure75.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
SEAT BELT LOCK-UP
There is no summary currently available
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM HEAD, ARM, SHOULDER, AND LEG INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT DISCLOSED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 94V035000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10948617
- Incident
- Jan 29, 2017
- Mileage
- 168,000 mi
MY AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS STOPPED WORKING. ACCORDING TO MY OWNER'S MANUAL THERE IS A LIFETIME WARRANTY ON PARTS AND LABOR. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL DEAL. THEY REFUSED TO SERVICE THE CAR. I CALLED NISSAN USA AND STARTED A CLAIM. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, AND AGAIN THEY DIDN'T WANT TO SERVICE THE CAR. THE SERVICE MANAGER EVEN STATED THAT I'M NOT GOING TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC BECAUSE I ALREADY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, AND WILL RELAY THIS INFORMATION TO NISSAN USA, (I HAVE IT ON RECORDING). WHEN NISSAN USA RECEIVED THE DEALERS "DIAGNOSTIC" REPORT THEY THEN REFUSED TO HONOR THE LIFETIME WARRANTY. THEY STATED THAT ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE SEAT BELT MODULE IS DEFECTIVE AND THAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
- NHTSA ID
- 10821512
- Incident
- Dec 4, 2015
- Mileage
- 145,000 mi
THE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT LOCK OR SHUT PROPERLY, NISSAN NO LONGER MANUFACTURE THIS PART, REASON CAR IS OVER 10 YEARS OF AGE, THIS IS HOWEVER A SAFETY ISSUE AND A LIABILITY ISSUE, THIS PART (DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE) SHOULD BE AVAILABLE AND SHOULD BE MANUFACTURED FOR SAFETY OF THE PASSENGERS. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10563964
- Incident
- Oct 12, 2013
- Mileage
- 243,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VAPOR CANISTER FAILED AND WOULD NO LONGER CAPTURE AND RECYCLES GASOLINE FROM THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THIS ALSO CAUSES FUMES TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE INTERIOR RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE IN COLD OR WET WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACTS PERSONAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIRS AND WAS ADVISED BY AN AFTERMARKET PARTS SHOP THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR THE FAILURE. THEY OFFERED HER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10384117
- Incident
- Feb 23, 2010
- Mileage
- 130,000 mi
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES UNEXPECTEDLY AND SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT MUST QUICKLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER, BUT SHE BELIEVES THE FAILURE IS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL THAT APPLIED TO HER VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
- NHTSA ID
- 10263659
- Incident
- May 28, 2008
1993 ALTIMA, DOOR LATCH FAILURE WHICH CAUSES A PROBLEM FOR THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS (PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH) NISSAN NO LONGER MAKES THIS LATCH,(THE SENSOR THAT OPERATES THE BELTS ARE BUILT TOGETHER INSIDE THE LATCH) ITS A SAFETY PROBLEM OR ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED., PS I HAVE REPLACED THE LATCH WITH A 94 ALTIMA LATCH, BUT IT DOES NOT OPERATE THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT., THE REASON I REPLACED THE PASSENGER DOOR LATCH BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD OPEN AT WILL. THE LATCH FAILED! *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10224322
- Incident
- Apr 1, 2008
- Mileage
- 205,000 mi
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE THROTTLE GEAR INCREASED DRAMATICALLY ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE'S THROTTLE WAS PERMANENTLY STUCK ON HIGH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DENIED ANY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CABLES AND ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. UPDATED 11/9/2006 - THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS FAILUERE WAS RELATED TO RECALL 94V035000. THE RECALL INDICATED THAT ENGINE MOVEMENT CAN BE TRANSMITTED TO THE AIRFLOW METER/FILTER HOUSING AND SUPPORT BRACKET, WHICH IS MOUNTED IN THE ENGINE AIR DUCT, CAUSING THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING TO PULL OUT OF THE CABLE GUIDE. THIS MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED. THE MMANUFACTURER DENIED AND RESPONSIBILITY. *NM
- NHTSA ID
- 10170995
- Incident
- Sep 24, 2006
AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF, BOTH REAR WINDOWS OPEN FROM THE UP POSITION TO HALF WAY DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. ONE TIME, THE CAR WAS STOLEN. TEENAGERS GAINED ACCESS TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR THROUGH THE REAR WINDOWS THAT HAD AUTOMATICALLY OPENED AFTER THE DRIVER HAD SHUT THEM AND LOCKED THE CAR. WHILE THE CAR WAS IN POSSESSION OF THE TEENS, IT WAS INVOLVED IN 2 HIT AND RUN ACCIDENTS, DRIVEN 300 MILES IN 2 1/2 DAYS, BEFORE THE TEENS WERE ARRESTED. VEHICLE BOUGHT AT AUCTION 6 MONTHS PRIOR WITH 67,076 MILES. MANUFACTURER NOT NOTIFIED. *NM
- NHTSA ID
- 10156058
- Incident
- Oct 15, 2005
- Mileage
- 69,878 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STEERING
DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or severe personal injury, do not directly spray Silicone-based lubricant or grease, or inadvertently overspray Silicone-based lubricant or grease onto any interior electrical components. These types of lubricants can be detrimental to the proper operation of electrical components.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These recommendations are expected to promote uniformity during the connection process, therefore reducing the number of incorrect âTest with DCAâ and âReplaceâ results. HINT: If 12 volt batteries are allowed to discharge for a prolonged period of time, battery life may be drastically reduced. This condition may lead to premature battery replacement and customer dissatisfaction. IMPORTANT: ï· CPX-900 is now an accepted testing tool to use along with or in place of the DSS-5000 ï· CPX-900 operating instructions are found at: https://nissancpx900.midtronics.com/ ï· DSS-5000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandss5000.midtronics.com/ ï· DCA-8000 is now a required testing tool to be used for all warranty replacement decisions. The DCA-8000 is also a more efficient charger than previously available, and will charge any available 12 volt lead acid battery safely and accurately as long as all precautions and inputs are made correctly. The DCA-8000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandca8000.midtronics.com/
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
STRUCTURE; VISIBILITY
REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 41 | 1 | 0 | 55.9 |
| 2023 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 51.1 |
| 2022 | 30 | 0 | 1 | 55.7 |
| 2021 | 69 | 2 | 2 | 64.6 |
| 2020 | 156 | 6 | 2 | 70.2 |
| 2019 | 226 | 7 | 2 | 69.9 |
| 2018 | 223 | 2 | 4 | 57.4 |
| 2017 | 390 | 3 | 3 | 63.6 |
| 2016 | 551 | 4 | 3 | 60.9 |
| 2015 | 945 | 10 | 3 | 61.6 |
| 2014 | 1,113 | 8 | 5 | 60.5 |
| 2013 | 2,307 | 12 | 5 | 58.3 |
| 2012 | 424 | 4 | 1 | 54.4 |
| 2011 | 241 | 1 | 0 | 40.2 |
| 2010 | 380 | 3 | 0 | 51.0 |
| 2009 | 1,547 | 4 | 0 | 47.8 |
| 2008 | 1,028 | 4 | 1 | 54.4 |
| 2007 | 471 | 3 | 2 | 58.4 |
| 2006 | 824 | 4 | 0 | 50.8 |
| 2005 | 1,091 | 2 | 0 | 47.6 |
| 2004 | 276 | 5 | 0 | 49.7 |
| 2003 | 883 | 10 | 1 | 57.2 |
| 2002 | 1,047 | 12 | 1 | 57.4 |
| 2001 | 159 | 2 | 0 | 51.9 |
| 2000 | 160 | 2 | 0 | 53.3 |
| 1999 | 87 | 4 | 0 | 57.2 |
| 1998 | 123 | 4 | 0 | 54.6 |
| 1997 | 108 | 3 | 0 | 60.7 |
| 1996 | 92 | 2 | 0 | 56.4 |
| 1995 | 180 | 5 | 2 | 65.4 |
| 1994 | 106 | 4 | 2 | 68.8 |
| 1993Viewing | 122 | 3 | 1 | 60.4 |
| 1992 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.