Most common 1995 Nissan Altima problems
Share of the 180 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Nissan Altima complaints by model year
Best Altima years: 2022, 2025, 2023. Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2009, 2002. Compare all years →
1995 Nissan Altima recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal
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.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Certain of the brake hoses for the right rear wheel were routed incorrectly so that contact is made with a suspension component. This causes abrasion to the hose and eventual leakage.
Remedy: The right rear brake hose will be inspected to determine if it is routed correctly. Misrouted hoses will be inspected for damage, replaced if necessary, and correctly routed.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
The shift lever lock plate, which prevents the shift lever from being inadvertently moved from park to drive or neutral position, can be broken by the transmission shift position pin.
Remedy: Dealers will install a bracket to prevent the shift position pin from breaking the shift lever lock plate.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1995 Nissan Altima:
Passenger air bag-related eye injuries
Passenger air bag-related facial/eye inj
By letter datedapril 11, 2003, Nissan notified nhtsait will conduct a campaign to replace the passenger air bag module with a depowered air bag module in model year 1994 - early 1995 (built prior to March 2, 1995) Nissan altima vehicles. The replacement module will be provided at no charge to owners.the depowered air bag should reduce the overall risk of air bag deployment-related injuries.
What 1995 Nissan Altima owners say
Air bags all 61 →
The vehicle was in a mild frontal collision at 5 MPH and both air bags deployed. Per the owners manua, the air bags should only deploy in 30 MPH and faster collisions. Vehicle had been totaled due to the deployment of the air bags. Consumer felt that the defect described in recall 03 v 150 000 was the cause of the air bag failure.
Both air bags deployed without warning - no crash involved. Car was moving about 1 MPH - had just barely started to pull forward. Base of bags caught fire - smoldered for 30-40 minutes. Bags had to be cut off to provide vision to drive car home. Current, car will turn over but not start up.
Engine & cooling all 28 →
Rusting cross member bar of the radiator core of all Nissan Altima from 1995. Upon inspection I noticed the cross member bar of the radiator core completely rusted. No rust anywhere except for this area of vehicle. Part should be recalled due to inferior workmanship of the steel this is a serious and dangerous problem because it supports engine components and May cause an accident it the parts give way under the rusted support structure.
My brakes have always screeched, the dome light never worked, the sensor for engine check light had to be replaced, leak from oil pan defective seal, the starter had to be replaced, when taken to the dealership to fix there were always excuses for the malfunction we had to pay for most of the replacements always over 500 dollars per visit.
Transmission & drivetrain all 27 →
I stopped my car at the base of my driveway and put the gear shift lever on park to check my mailbox. I left the car running while I did that. As I glanced at my mail, the car slowly rolled up my driveway (no one was in the car, and the gear shift lever remained in park) and crashed into a large tree about 40 feet beyond my driveway. When the tow truck driver pulled my car back onto the driveway, he said that the shift lever was still in park. I suspect that my car was a "victim" of NHTSA campaign id number 94V165000.
Vehicle jumped into drive and accelerated suddenly and unexpectedly, causing a colli sion which resulted in minor injuries. Air bags did not deploy. A recall has been issued on the vehicle. However, the owner of this vehicle was not notified. Manufacturer has been notified.
1995 Nissan Altima engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1995 Nissan Altima a good car?
Based on 180 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1995 Altima rates better than average: 58% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Altima at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1995 Nissan Altima?
The air bags — 61 complaints, 34% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the engine & cooling (28) and transmission & drivetrain (27).
How many recalls does the 1995 Nissan Altima have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1995 Nissan Altima, the most recent from April 25, 2003 (frontal). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Nissan Altima?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022, 2025 and 2023. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2009 and 2002. See the full Nissan Altima years comparison.
At what mileage do 1995 Nissan Altima problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 110,000 miles; 14% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.