RoadVitals

1993 Nissan Altima Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
122
Latest Jan 31, 2017
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
22
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 2, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 122 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Nissan Altima. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 122 · page 1 of 5

Driver assistance
Filed Jan 31, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

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
Seat belts
Filed Jan 21, 2016

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
Seat belts
Filed Feb 12, 2014

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
Fuel system
Filed Feb 23, 2011

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
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 30, 2009

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
Interior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Apr 13, 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
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 16, 2006
1 injury reported

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
Visibility
Filed Apr 25, 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
Body & structure
Filed Aug 24, 2005

DT: THE CALLER SAID THE ENGINE SUPPORT FRAME MEMBER RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CAR WASH, AND WHEN HE SPRAYED THE SUPPORT THE PAINT WAS WASHED AWAY, AND IT BLEW A HOLE IN THE FRAME MEMBER. CAR WAS PURCHASED AT AN AUCTION, AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK

NHTSA ID
10134009
Incident
Aug 15, 2005
Mileage
110,700 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 8, 2005

DT: NISSAN ALTIMA 1993. THE CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE PEDAL DROPPED COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV UPWARDS OF 85 MPH. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MOUNT HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE FIREWALL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REACHED DOWN AND PULLED THE PEDAL UP BY HAND AND SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE CAR IN, AND PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10125896
Incident
Jun 19, 2005
Mileage
175,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 9, 2005

RECALL CAMPAIGN 94V035000 CONCERNING THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE COMMENCED TO ACCELERATE. NO OTHER INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED. CONSUMER FOUND THIS RECALL INFORMATION ON NHTSA WEBSITE. THE DEALER OR A REPAIR SHOP HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME.*AK

NHTSA ID
10111246
Incident
Feb 2, 2005
Mileage
122,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 2, 2005

TODAY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION DUE TO THROTTLE CABLE BEING PULLED OUT OF PLACE WHILE DRIVING. I CONTACTED NISSAN USA AND THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO DECLINE REPAIR OF VEHICLE DUE TO 1) AGE OF VEHICLE 2) RECALL WORK PREVIOUSLY DONE. UNFORTUNATELY THE PRIOR RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED INCORRECTLY PER NISSAN BULLETIN 94V-035 NTB -- BRACKETS TO PREVENT THROTTLE CABLE MOVEMENT ARE LOCATED INCORRECTLY. VEHICLE REQUIRES NEW THROTTLE CABLE AND RECALL REPAIR TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. NISSAN USA IS NOT ACTING IN GOOD FAITH TO QUICKLY REPAIR THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNSAFE TO OPERATE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10108437
Incident
Feb 2, 2005
Mileage
122,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 10, 2005

WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10107104
Incident
Dec 13, 2004
Mileage
35,000 mi
Filed Apr 27, 2004

REQUEST INFORMATION ON 1993 NISSAN ALTIMA. *PH *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10072119
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 21, 2003
Crash reported

WHILE PULLING VEHICLE INSIDE OF GARAGE IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, HIT THE GARAGE WALL, AND WENT THROUGH THE HOUSE. NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES REPORTED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10044395
Incident
Oct 21, 2003
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Sep 1, 2003
Crash reported

1993 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS STRUCK WHILE PARKED. BODY SHOP & INSURANCE ESTIMATOR INDICATE VEHICLE THAT HIT THE PARKED ALTIMA WAS TRAVELING FASTER THAN 35 MPH. THE PASSIVE RESTRAINTS (SEATBELTS) FAILED TO LOCK IN PLACE, AND THE DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG WAS NOT DEPLOYED. THE ALTIMA WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR, DRIVER-SIDE QUARTER PANEL/BUMPER - AREA SURROUNDING FUEL CAP. ODDLY ENOUGH, AFTER THE BODY WORK WAS COMPLETED, THE MERCURY SWITCH THAT IS DESIGNED TO LOCK THE PASSIVE RESTRAINTS IN PLACE DURING A CRASH HAD BEEN TRIPPED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT BY THE DEALER. WHEN THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER UPON PICKING UP THE ALTIMA I NOTICED A RED AIRBAG LIGHT SOLIDLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS CONDITION THAT DID NOT EXIST PRIOR TO THEIR REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SENSOR IN THE TRUNK, THEY INVESTIGATED. THEY WERE ABLE TO MAKE THE LIGHT GO OFF, BUT INDICATED THAT THE "AIRBAG CONTROLLER CARD (ACC)" ESSENTIALLY A CIRCUIT BOARD WAS FAULTY - OR WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY UNLESS I REPLACED IT. THE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THAT THE REASON IT WORKED INTERMITTENTLY WAS BECAUSE THE "ACC" WAS NOT SEALED AND AS A RESULT WAS PRONE TO TOTAL FAILURE ON A VERY HOT OR COLD DAY. THE MANAGER INDICATED FURTHER THAT WHEN HE HAD BEEN A MECHANIC HE HAD SEEN MANY ALTIMA'S, SENTRA'S AND A FEW OTHER MODELS THAT USED THE SAME VERSION "ACC" AND THAT NISSAN HAD BEEN REPLACING THEM ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. HOWEVER, THEY CHOSE TO TELL ME THAT "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY OR EVEN OUTSIDE WARRANTY DESPITE IT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE. NISSAN INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS PART, AND THEY HAD NO RECORD OF THIS PART HAVING A HISTORY OF FAILURE. I DON'T WANT TO FIND OUT IF MY AIRBAG IS GOING TO WORK OR NOT THE HARD WAY.*AK

NHTSA ID
10037008
Incident
Sep 20, 2001
Mileage
99,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 7, 2003

SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN 1996 I HAVE NEVER BEEN INFORMED OF THE RECALL ISSUED IN 1994 AND I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES EVEN AT FIRST WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE REASON FOR THE RECALL, THE THROTTLE CABLE PULL OUT, ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ME AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. NHTSA# 94V035000 REFERRAL CARFAX.COM INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL WHEN I PAID FOR A HISTORY ON MY VEHICLE BEFORE SELLING IT. THIS STILL HASN'T BEEN FIXED. CAN I STILL ASK THE DEALER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM?*JB

NHTSA ID
10010118
Incident
Jul 12, 2001
Brakes
Filed Nov 13, 2002

WHILE DRIVING, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MOUNT BROKE FROM THE FIREWALL. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. CASE NUMBER 3927452 FOR NISSAN. MR. THE MOUNT WAS ABOUT 2 INCHES TALL AND PROVIDES THE PIVOT POINT, AND WITHOUT IT, THE MECHANISM DOESN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED PULLING THE CARPET, REMOVING THE STEERING COLUMN, AND MOVING THE DASH BOARD TO GAIN ACCESS TO A EXTREMELY TIGHT AREA TO AVOID A FIRE/MELT RISK. SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
8022693
Incident
Oct 2, 2002
Mileage
106,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 24, 2002

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
766142
Incident
Aug 19, 2002
Airbags
Filed Jul 30, 2002

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
8015060
Incident
Jul 20, 2002
Visibility
Filed Jun 6, 2002

TWO REAR WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED FOR SMALL CHILDRE RIDING IN THE REAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8011245
Incident
Jun 5, 2002
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 6, 2002

LENSES ARE BECOMING VERY CLOUDY OVER THE LAST YEAR TO THE POINT CONSUMER CAN BEARLY SEE THE ROAD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8011236
Incident
Jun 5, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 5, 2002

WHILE DRIVING GAS PEDAL DROPPED TO FLOOR. DRIVER MADE IT TO A DEALER, DEALER STATED THROTTLE LINKAGE WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK

NHTSA ID
8005019
Incident
Jan 29, 2002
Airbags
Filed Nov 1, 2001

WHILE PARKED, VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE REAR QUARTER PANEL AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, ALSO WHILE AT BODY SHOP SEAT BELT SENSOR WAS DAMAGED, DEALER REPLACED SEAT BELT SENSOR, HOWEVER WHEN CONSUMER PICKED UP VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. *AK *TT

NHTSA ID
898665
Incident
Oct 11, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 20, 2001

ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET ALL SPOT WELDS BROKE AWAY FROM FLOORBOARD. *AK

NHTSA ID
752426
Incident
Sep 17, 2001

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.

Narrow this down by component

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .