NISSAN ALTIMA · model year

1993 NISSAN ALTIMA

150 NHTSA complaints, 25 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1993NISSANALTIMA carries 150 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 25 crashes, 3 fires, 23 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1993 ALTIMA is air bags:frontal with 16 filings, followed by vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal (14) and vehicle speed control (13). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 1993 ALTIMA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

150
Complaints
25
Crashes
3
Fires
23
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

150 filings

Crashes Reported

25 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL16
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL13
SEAT BELTS10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES7
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION3
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR3
AIR BAGS3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2

Recent Complaints

20170131CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

Mileage: 168,000

20160121SEAT 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 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.

Mileage: 145,000

20140212SEAT 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 PASSENGERS. *TR

Mileage: 243,000

20110223FUEL 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 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.

Mileage: 130,000

20090330VEHICLE 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 THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL THAT APPLIED TO HER VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

20080413LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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

Mileage: 205,000

20080413SEAT 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, 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

Mileage: 205,000

20061016VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

20060425VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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

Mileage: 69,878

20050824STRUCTURE

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

Mileage: 110,700

20050620VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

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

Mileage: 175,000

20050209VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

RECALL CAMPAIGN 94V035000 CONCERNING THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE COMMENCED TO ACCELERATE. NO OTHER INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED. CONSUMER FOUND THIS RECALL INFORMATION ON NHTSA WEBSITE. THE DEALER OR A REPAIR SHOP HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME.*AK

Mileage: 122,000

20050202VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TODAY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION DUE TO THROTTLE CABLE BEING PULLED OUT OF PLACE WHILE DRIVING. I CONTACTED NISSAN USA AND THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO DECLINE REPAIR OF VEHICLE DUE TO 1) AGE OF VEHICLE 2) RECALL WORK PREVIOUSLY DONE. UNFORTUNATELY THE PRIOR RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED INCORRECTLY PER NISSAN BULLETIN 94V-035 NTB -- BRACKETS TO PREVENT THROTTLE CABLE MOVEMENT ARE LOCATED INCORRECTLY. VEHICLE REQUIRES NEW THROTTLE CABLE AND RECALL REPAIR TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. NISSAN USA IS NOT ACTING IN GOOD FAITH TO QUICKLY REPAIR THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNSAFE TO OPERATE.*AK

Mileage: 122,000

20050110ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 35,000

20040507UNKNOWN OR OTHER

REQUEST INFORMATION ON 1993 NISSAN ALTIMA. *PH *SC *JB

20031021CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WHILE PULLING VEHICLE INSIDE OF GARAGE IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, HIT THE GARAGE WALL, AND WENT THROUGH THE HOUSE. NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES REPORTED.*AK

20030901CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

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 FA

Mileage: 99,000

20030901CrashAIR BAGS

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 FA

Mileage: 99,000

20030307VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN 1996 I HAVE NEVER BEEN INFORMED OF THE RECALL ISSUED IN 1994 AND I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES EVEN AT FIRST WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE REASON FOR THE RECALL, THE THROTTLE CABLE PULL OUT, ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ME AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. NHTSA# 94V035000 REFERRAL CARFAX.COM INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL WHEN I PAID FOR A HISTORY ON MY VEHICLE BEFORE SELLING IT. THIS STILL HASN'T BEEN FIXED. CAN I STILL ASK THE DEALER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM?*JB

20021113SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

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

Mileage: 106,000

Compare 1993NISSANALTIMA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1993 NISSAN ALTIMA have?
The 1993 NISSAN ALTIMA has 150 NHTSA complaints, 25 crashes, 3 fires, 23 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 NISSAN ALTIMA?
The most-complained component for the 1993 NISSAN ALTIMA is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL with 16 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 1993 NISSAN ALTIMA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.