1996 Nissan Altima — Known Issues & Recalls

Your airbag warning light stays on and continuously flashes instead of turning off. A Nissan dealer diagnosed this as a faulty airbag control module. When the control module malfunctions, your airbags may not deploy properly in a crash. The fix will require replacing the airbag control module.

Your car was involved in a right-angle frontal collision while making a left turn. Neither the driver nor passenger airbags deployed during the crash. This is a serious safety issue since the airbags should have activated to protect occupants during the collision.

Your airbag control unit may not be functioning properly. This is the computer system that controls when your airbags deploy in a crash. If this system fails, your airbags may not inflate when needed during an accident. Repairing this will likely require replacement of the airbag control module.

Your air bag warning light turns on without warning while you're driving at any speed, and when this happens, your air bags may not work if you get into a crash. This is a serious safety issue because your air bags are your protection in an accident. The dealer should inspect and repair your air bag system to make sure it functions properly.

While driving, your airbag warning light came on. The dealer found that your airbag control unit has failed, which means your airbags may not deploy properly if you're in an accident. This is a serious safety concern that needs immediate attention. The fix will require replacing the airbag control unit.

Your airbag warning light on the dashboard started flashing, indicating a problem with the airbag module. The dealer diagnosed it as a faulty airbag module after checking the computer, confirmed this issue has occurred before in your model year, but said there's no recall available. The replacement module costs over $550, and you'll need a special tool to install it and have the dealer reset the light to confirm the new module is working properly.

When you round a curve or go over a dip in the road at around 40 mph, your car unexpectedly wobbles and sways side-to-side without any steering input from you, making it feel like it might tip over. This happens suddenly with no warning and feels very unsafe, especially since it could cause a serious accident at higher speeds. The issue is likely caused by worn rear suspension bushings that need to be replaced or repaired.

Your coil springs have broken. This affects your vehicle's suspension and can impact how your car handles on the road. You should have the broken coil springs replaced to restore proper suspension function.

Your car's fuel pump electrical connector inside the fuel tank developed a bad connection that burned and melted the top of the tank, causing the car to stall unexpectedly and leaving you stranded. The wires and connectors appear undersized for the 15-amp fuse protecting the circuit, creating a potential fire risk. This connector isn't available as a separate repair part from Nissan, requiring replacement of the entire fuel pump assembly.

Your 1996 Altima failed to start because the fuel pump stopped working. When a mechanic inspected it, they discovered the plastic connector that powers the fuel pump had melted and showed signs of electrical arcing inside the fuel tank. This is concerning because arcing near fuel vapors inside the tank could potentially create a fire or explosion hazard. The fix will likely involve replacing the fuel pump and inspecting or replacing the damaged electrical connector and wiring.

Your catalytic converter failed and needed replacement at 6 years old, which seems premature for this component. You experienced a high replacement cost, and you've noticed this problem appearing in multiple vehicles of the same model year.

Your engine revs very high when you're slowing down or coming to a stop. When you accelerate from a stop, the car jerks like it's a manual transmission vehicle. This could indicate a problem with how your engine is managing idle speed or throttle control.

Your brake lights flicker and don't light up properly when you apply the brakes, especially when your headlights are on — one side may not light at all while the other does. This only happens with the headlights on; the brake lights work fine without them. This is a safety concern since following drivers may not see your brake lights clearly, which could lead to a collision or a failed vehicle inspection. The issue likely involves a wiring or electrical connection problem between your headlight and brake light circuits that will need to be diagnosed and repaired by an electrician.

Water is leaking into your trunk through the rear light fixtures when it rains, even though the trunk seal has been checked and appears okay. A dealership mentioned there may be a recall related to these leaks. The fix will likely involve replacing the rear light assemblies or resealing them to prevent water intrusion.

Your car exhibited erratic driving behavior and then shut off while you were driving on the street. This suggests a serious fuel system or engine issue that caused a loss of power while the vehicle was in motion.

Your car was involved in a crash where the brakes didn't respond properly and the airbags failed to deploy. Before the crash, you noticed dashboard lights flickering on and off, very dim headlights, and loud cranking noises when turning. These issues suggest problems with your electrical system, braking system, and airbag safety system that need immediate professional inspection and repair.

Your left front tire separated from the vehicle while driving. This is a serious safety issue that could cause you to lose control of your car. The tire may need to be replaced, and the wheel should be inspected for damage or defects that caused the separation.

Your engine caught fire and burned everything under the hood, including the hood itself. There were no warning signs beforehand—no gas leaks or other problems that would have indicated this was going to happen.

Your car won't accelerate normally when the air conditioner is running. You've already had the oxygen sensor replaced, but the problem persists. Additionally, your brakes are failing again shortly after being repaired, which is concerning.

When you try to shift into reverse, your car won't move backward—it only goes forward. This is caused by a burned out clutch that can no longer engage properly. The clutch will need to be replaced to restore reverse functionality.