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1993 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1993 Nissan Altima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 231.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 13 of 122 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports3 fire reports15 injury reports

What owners actually said

122 reports
168,000 miles · Jan 31, 2017
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

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 …

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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 ODI #10948617

145,000 miles · Jan 21, 2016
Seat Belts

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…

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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 ODI #10821512

243,000 miles · Feb 12, 2014
Seat Belts

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 PASS…

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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 ODI #10563964

130,000 miles · Feb 23, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

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 PERS…

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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 ODI #10384117

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

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…

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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 ODI #10263659

205,000 miles · Apr 13, 2008
Latches/locks/linkagesSeat Belts

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…

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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 ODI #10224322

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2006
Vehicle Speed ControlInjury

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 MANUFAC…

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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 ODI #10170995

69,878 miles · Apr 25, 2006
Visibility

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…

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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 ODI #10156058

110,700 miles · Aug 24, 2005
Structure

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 ODI #10134009

175,000 miles · Jul 8, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

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. T…

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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 ODI #10125896

Official recalls

1

94V035000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Feb 28, 1994

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL REPOSITION THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING IN THE SUPPORT BRACKET TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SLACK FOR ENGINE MOVEMENT. A RUBBER STOPPER WILL BE CLAMPED TO THE CABLE TO MAINTAIN THE CORRECT POSITION FOR THE CABLE AT THE SUPPORT BRACKET. IN ADDITION, THE THROTTLE CABLE WILL BE TESTED FOR PULL OUT RESISTANCE FROM THE GUIDE IN THE EVENT THE CABLE WAS DAMAGED. THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED, IF NECESSARY.

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

1

PE94035 · Seat Belt LOCK-UP

Opened Apr 26, 1994 · Closed Aug 31, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

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