The 1999 Nissan Altima has 4 safety recalls and 87 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (17 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints87filed by owners
Crashes · fires19 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths17 · 0reported in complaints
1999 Nissan Altima in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Suspension
NHTSA recall 10E002000 · Feb 11, 2010 · 12,657 vehicles
Problem: RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
Risk: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 09E025000 · May 11, 2009 · 42,540 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009 · 16,270 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006 · 61,944 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1999 Nissan Altima 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Altima
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Altima
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
17
1
0
1
—
Air bags Frontal
13
12
0
10
75,500 mi
Tires Tread/belt
12
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Exhaust system; Engine › Gasoline
8
0
1
0
104,000 mi
Visibility Sun/moon roof assembly; Power window devices and controls
8
1
0
0
78,275 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Axle assembly
8
2
0
4
—
Vehicle speed control Cruise control
7
3
0
1
66,750 mi
Suspension Front › Springs › Coil springs; Front › Springs › Torsion bar
7
2
0
2
111,000 mi
Structure Frame and members; Body › Door
4
0
0
1
—
Seats Front assembly › Recliner
4
3
0
1
—
Electrical system Wiring › Front underhood; 12v/24v/48v battery
4
1
2
0
89,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap; Delivery › Fuel pump
3
0
0
0
75,000 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Sep 28, 2020 · 255,900 milesService brakes KEEP HAVING TROUBLE SMELLING GAS. INSIDE THE CAR AND FUEL PUMP AND THE EXHAUST GAS AND I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN IT KEEPS MESSING WITH THEIR ASTHMA SPENDING TO MUCH MONEY KEEP GETTING IT FIXED.
Jan 1, 2014 · 43,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryAir bags TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT MADE A SHARP LEFT TURN ACROSS THE CONTACT'S LANE. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT LATER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT CALLED DARTMOUTH NISSAN AT 508-996-3200 (LOCATED AT 483 STATE RD, NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA 02747) AND WAS INFORMED OF AN UNKNOWN AIR BAG RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT'S ATTORNEY TOOK OVER FURTHER INTERACTION WITH THE…
May 23, 2018 · 111,000 milesTires TIRE ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE WAS FLATERED SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT GOING OFF COLLAPSED COIL SPRING STRUT AND SUSPENSION
May 23, 2018 · 111,000 milesSuspension BROKEN COIL AND FRONT SUSPENSION EXPLODED ALSO CAUSING TIRE TO FLATTEN SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT GOING OFF AAA MECHANIC DETERMINED IF I WAS DRIVING AT TIME OF INCIDERDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED PLEASE MAKE THIS A RECALL SO I CAN GET IT FIXED AT NO COST TO ME MY CAR IS MY SURVIVAL CAR WAS IN STATIONARY MODE
May 23, 2018 · 111,000 milesSuspension BROKEN AND COLLAPSED COIL ON LEFT FRONT TIRE SUSPENSION IN CARPORT STATIONARY POSITION
Feb 9, 2018 · 225,000 miles · fireElectrical system THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS HAD SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED MY CAR TO CATCH FIRE IN THE TRUNK ARE
Jun 3, 2013 · 143,000 milesEngine and engine cooling MY 99 NISSAN ALTIMA GXE IS STALLING WHEN STOPPING FOR RED LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN CONSISTENTLY AND I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I AM SCARED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AND THAT SOMEONE MAY HIT ME FROM BEHIND. I HAVE HAD IT AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP 3 DAYS THIS WEEK AND STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. *TR
Sep 3, 2010 · 160,000 milesStructure › Frame and members TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
