1994 Nissan Altima: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 106 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (37% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 nissan altima. While driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred multiple times intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2015
“1994 nissan altima fuel injector contamination, replace fuel injector three times before it finally pushed the fuel into the exhaust pipe and exploded the catalytic converter. Something is causing the injectors to shoot start fuel into #3 heads with out pulsating the fuel properly. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Jan 2010
“At both speeds of 65 and 35mph, on three separate occasions, we experienced catastrophic tire belting and tread separation. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Loud noise from drivers side front tire, found approx. Four inch oval bubble approx. One and one half inch protrusion from outside sidewall near rim. *tr”Owner report · Tires · May 2008
“1. My and every other mid 90's altima has got fogged headlights that barely illuminate any light through. Has anyone else had this problem? 2. I have had the timing chain guide replaced twice, both times costing around $1,500.00 and it needs to be replaced again. I can't afford to keep replacing this part or the headlights. What can be done about this? *nm”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2006
“Oil leak front rubber o-ring at the front of the engine. Had this repaired once at the nissan dealer 3 or 4 years ago. Paid $1200 to fix the first time, however I'm almost certain I have the same problem occurring all over again. Vehicle isn't worth the cost of the repair at this point. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2006
“During cold weather intermittently the vehicle would not start. Dealership repaired the distributor five times, but the consumer was still having the same problem.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2005
“Consumer stated that the radiator support beams rusted. This beam goes under the vehicle that attaches to the engine cradle. Consumer states if the rust continues engine could fall out. A new frame rail needs to be welded in place. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2004
“The passenger side airbag has malfunctioned. A recall was issued for this problem. The dealer states the "box was miss marked" and refused to honor the recall. Please provide additional information. *nm”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2004
“On 2/12/2004 consumer started vehicle and saw white smoke coming from under the vehicle. Consumer turned the vehicle off, and then turned it back on, and drove to work. Within two minutes, vehicle caught on fire under the hood. Fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. Vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where the mechanic determined the fire started due to a malfunction in the electrical wiring harness. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 34 of these complaints and injuries in 28 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL REPOSITION THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING IN THE SUPPORT BRACKET TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SLACK FOR ENGINE MOVEMENT. A RUBBER STOPPER WILL BE CLAMPED TO THE CABLE TO MAINTAIN THE CORRECT POSITION FOR THE CABLE AT THE SUPPORT BRACKET. IN ADDITION, THE THROTTLE CABLE WILL BE TESTED FOR PULL OUT RESISTANCE FROM THE GUIDE IN THE EVENT THE CABLE WAS DAMAGED. THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED, IF NECESSARY.
NISSAN IS RECALLING MY 1994 AND EARLY 1995 ALTIMA VEHICLES FOLLOWING REPORTS THAT PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN THESE VEHICLES HAD CAUSED A NUMBER OF MODERATE-TO-SEVERE EYE INJURIES. NISSAN HAS DEVELOPED A NEW PASSENGER AIR BAG THAT IS LESS POWERFUL WHEN IT INFLATES IN A CRASH TO REDUCE THE RISK OF AIR BAG INFLATION-RELATED INJURIES.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS REPORTED THAT OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 28, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1994 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Altima by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 Nissan Altima reliable?
NHTSA has 106 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Nissan Altima. The most complained-about area is air bags (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Nissan Altima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 120,000 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Nissan Altima have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.