NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 96 owner complaints for the 1999 Nissan Altima. Most complaints involve air bags (17) and service brakes, hydraulic (15). The EPA rates it 23–24 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Altima model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 125 |
| 1999 | 96 |
| 2000 | 176 |
| 2001 | 168 |
| 2002 | 1,062 |
| 2003 | 883 |
| 2004 | 276 |
| 2005 | 1,091 |
| 2006 | 824 |
| 2007 | 498 |
| 2008 | 1,031 |
| 2009 | 1,547 |
| 2010 | 381 |
| 2011 | 242 |
| 2012 | 426 |
| 2013 | 2,315 |
| 2014 | 1,113 |
| 2015 | 955 |
| 2016 | 555 |
| 2017 | 393 |
| 2018 | 226 |
| 2019 | 234 |
| 2020 | 182 |
| 2021 | 71 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 30 |
| 2024 | 43 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 1 |
“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 MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.”
“AIRBAGS/SAFETY RESTRAINTS/ON-OFF SWITCHES & OTHER MODIFICATIONS I AM AGAIN STATING GREAT CONCERN OVER LEGAL REGULATIONS REGARDING VEHICLE/&/OR COMPONENTS -MODIFICATIONS/COMPLAINTS/PROBLEMSETC & THE REPORTING STATUTES THERETO AS I AM PERCEIVING THEM FROM FRM NRM & VARIOUS SITES I READ THAT VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS OF SAFETY STANDARDS INCLUSIVE OF AIRBAG ON-OFF SWITCHES &/OR DEACTIVATION WAS NOT REPORTED TO NHTSA UNTIL APRIL OF 2001 & THEREFORE WOULD NOT BE ACCESSIBLE TO CONSUMERS EVEN IF IT WAS VOLUNTARILY SUBMITTED BY APPLICANT HOWEVER IF PERFORMED BY VEHICLE DEALERSHIP WOULD BE ON RECORD & SUBSEQUENT BUYER WOULD BE UNAWARE & WOULD NOT REFLECT ON VIN SEARCH HOWEVER DEALERSHIP SHOULD & DOES HAVE RESPONSIBILITY ON RESALE TO INSPECT SAID VEHICLE & BRING IT TO FEDERAL STANDARDS HOW DO I SEARCH A DEALERSHIP TO FIND MODIFICATIONS THEY AUTHORIZED OR MADE TO A VEHICLE SUPPOSEDLY LISTED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTRY OF WHICH I WAS THE 2ND OWNER & RECEIVED AN URGENT RECALL CARD NOTIFICATION SPECIFYING MODIFICATION 120705 I DID RESPOND NUMEROUS X TO THEM & NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS & BLATANTLY TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS /SERVICE BULLETINS OR ANYTHING ELSE & I RECEIVED THIS CARD IN…”
“CONSUMER NOTICED TREAD HAD CRACKED OPEN IN CENTER OF TIRE AN IS SEPARATING FROM THE CARCASS, DISCOVERED THIS WHEN ROTATING TIRES, AND THIS IS TIRE INVOLVED IN A RECALL.(FIRESTONE AFFINITY TIRES, DOT NUMBER, W1UNAAB418) *MJ”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,700 | 370 |
| Altima Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 96 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (17), service brakes, hydraulic (15), tires (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 Nissan Altima at 23–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).