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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.

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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2000
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THREE TIMES IN THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. NISSAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM. *AK THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, AND THE RADIATOR, AUTO TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLY AND THROTTLE VALVE SWITCH WERE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING FROM SECOND GEAR TO THIRD DUE TO CONTROL…

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THREE TIMES IN THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. NISSAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM. *AK THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, AND THE RADIATOR, AUTO TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLY AND THROTTLE VALVE SWITCH WERE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING FROM SECOND GEAR TO THIRD DUE TO CONTROL VALVE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. NEXT, THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT. HOWEVER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIRING ASSEMBLY. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *YH

NHTSA ODI #872282

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AFTER BEING TEST DRIVEN. THE PROBLEM WOULD HAPPEN AT LEAST 5 TIMES IN ONE DAY. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER & INFORMED HAD NOT HEARD OF THAT PROBLEM BEFORE. DID …

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VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AFTER BEING TEST DRIVEN. THE PROBLEM WOULD HAPPEN AT LEAST 5 TIMES IN ONE DAY. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER & INFORMED HAD NOT HEARD OF THAT PROBLEM BEFORE. DID NOT OFFER ANY HELP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #855253

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control

WAS COMING TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN ENGINE STARTED RACING, ALMOST TOOK OFF. HAD FOOT ON BRAKES AT TIME. TURNED VEHICLE OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER NEXT DAY & MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND CAUSE OF ENGINE RACING. HAS HAPPENED TWICE ALREADY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #846400

Mileage unknown · May 16, 1996
Vehicle Speed Control

STARTED VEHICLE, PLACED GEAR SELECTOR IN REVERSE, HEARD SIREN NOISE, CAR LURCHED BACKWARDS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #984537

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 1996
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE WENT IN OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, TO STOP VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES REAL HARD AND PUT INTO NEUTRAL POSITION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #980221

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 1996
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, TO STOP VEHICLE APPLIED BRAKES REAL HARD AND PUT INTO NEUTRAL POSITION, *AK

NHTSA ODI #980058

Official recalls

0

No 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems