1993 Nissan Altima Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 Nissan Altima, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance3424.8%
- Airbags1913.9%
- Seat belts1913.9%
- Engine1611.7%
- Visibility85.8%
- Electrical85.8%
- Fuel system85.8%
- Body & structure75.1%
- Brakes64.4%
- Exterior lighting32.2%
- Suspension32.2%
- Interior & seats21.5%
- Tires & wheels21.5%
- Powertrain (other)10.7%
- Heating & air conditioning10.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM.*AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
CONSUMER NOTICED OIL SPOTS IN PARKING LOT, AND IT GOT WORSE AND WORSE. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC OIL PAN WAS WORN OUT, AND OIL WAS JUST RUNNING OUT FROM BACK OF IT.*AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE MISS AND STALLING DUE TO THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILURE. *MJS
HAPPENS IMMEDIATELY AFTER TUNE-UP (ROTOR/CAP). PARTS DEALERS SAY THEY SELL MORE DISTRIBUTORS FOR THIS CAR THAN ANY OTHER!. *AK
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WHILE VHEICLE WAS OFF AND WHEN TAKING GAS GAP OFF A FLAME SHOT OUT OF TANK ON CONSUMER'S ARM. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE FRONT PASSENGER'S DOOR UNLOCKS. IT DOESN'T LOCK AGAIN. LUCKLY, FOUND IT WHEN THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
LENSES ARE BECOMING VERY CLOUDY OVER THE LAST YEAR TO THE POINT CONSUMER CAN BEARLY SEE THE ROAD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
AFTER A RAIN STORM HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS FULL OF WATER, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO BURN, WHICH COULD BURN THE BULB AND CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUFFERS FROM SEVERE RUST. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO JERK WHEN STOPPING. IT ALSO CAUSES POPING SOUNDS WHEN YOU TURNING. *AK
T-BAR SUPPORTING MOTOR MOUNT AND RADIATOR RUSTED AND FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
TRUNK LID OPENED BEYOND DESIGN EXTENSION AND FLEW BACK INTO REAR WINDOW,SHATTERING REAR WINDOW/PIECES OF GLASS FELL OVER CHILD IN SAFETY SEAT. *TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE HAD TREAD SEPERATION. THE FIRST TIRE SEPERATED IN JUNE OF 00, THE OTHER THREE TIRES SEPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING MONTHS, LATE JULY, AND AUGUST. THE TIRES WERE PRO-RATED BY A FIRESTONE TIRE DEALER AND REPLACED. I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM NEEDED TO BE REPORTED TO YOUR AGENCY IN LIGHT OF THE OTHER SEPERATION PROBLEM OF FIRESTONE TIRES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: M+S TIRE SIZE: 205-60R-14 )
MY TIRES ALSO WEAR TOO EASILY....LESS THEN 300 K MILES....MY CONCERN IS THE IGNITION KEY SWITCH AND THE AUTOMATIC STICK SHIFT DOES NOT GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE EASILY....IT SEEMS TO JAM..
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
HORN/CRUISE CONTROL/ENGINE MOUNTS AND TRANSAXLE FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE MISS AND STALLING DUE TO THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILURE. *MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .