IllustrationWHILE DRIVING 50 MPH HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AT THE REAR RIGHT TIRE, AND BOTH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS IN THIS ACCIDENT. *AK
1996 Nissan Altima
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Fewer warning signs than most model years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Nissan Altima are lower than the model-year median of 231.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 9 of 92 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
20 crash reports5 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
92 reportsWHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING OVER A HUMP ON THE DRIVEWAY CAUSING UNNECESSARY INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANT. DEALER STATED THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS NECESSARY EVEN WITHOUT A DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT. *AK
ENGINE FAILURE RESULTING IN STALLING.
RADIO TUNER BUTTON FAILED.
UNSPECIFIED: PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED.
INSIDE LATCH FOR TRUNK FAILED.
STARTER FAILS TO START PROPERLY WHEN ENGINE IS HOT.
INTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED.
TRANSMISSION LEVER EASILY MOVED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL.
DRIVER HIT THE BACK SIDE OF ANOTHER CAR AND THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.