Complaints
117
Crashes
27
Fires
5
Injuries
18
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1996 Nissan Altima Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#121 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:74,000 mi
Crash-related:14
Fires:1
#211 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:116,000 mi
Crash-related:3
#35 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Considering a 1996 Nissan Altima?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1996 Nissan Altima.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 21 | 14 | 1 | 74,000 mi | |
| Airbags | 11 | 3 | — | 116,000 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — |
Air Bags:Frontal
21
complaints
Crashes
14
Fires
1
Avg Miles
74,000
Airbags
11
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
116,000
Automatic Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1996 Nissan Altima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Nissan Altima Years
1996 Nissan Altima — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1996 Nissan Altima reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1996 Nissan Altima has 117 NHTSA complaints, 27 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Air Bags:Frontal with 21 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1996 Nissan Altima?
Top reported problems: Air Bags:Frontal (21 complaints, avg 74,000 mi); Airbags (11 complaints, avg 116,000 mi); Automatic Transmission (5 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1996 Nissan Altima?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 88,438 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1996 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA complaints for the 1996 Nissan Altima include 27 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 18 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1996 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1996 Nissan Altima as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1996 Nissan Altima?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Altima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1996 Nissan Altima
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99