1993 Nissan Altima Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 16%of 122 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the air bags of the 1993 Nissan Altima, 16% of the 122 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 miles. 13 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1993 Nissan Altima was struck while parked. Body shop & insurance estimator indicate vehicle that hit the parked Altima was traveling faster than 35 MPH. The passive restraints (seatbelts) failed to lock in place, and the driver-side airbag was not deployed. The Altima was struck in the rear, driver-side quarter panel/bumper - area surrounding fuel cap. Oddly enough, after the body work was completed, the mercury switch that is designed to lock the passive restraints in place during a crash had been tripped and required replacement by the dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10037008, filed 2003-09, 99,000 miles“Consumer had accident & air bags deployed, filling vehicle with smoke. Vehicle seemed like being on fire because of the vast amount of fumes. Dealer was contacted, and stated they never heard of airbags emitting such a vast amount of smoke. Also, motorized seat belt didn't retract when door was opened. Conusmer had hard time trying to get it out.”
NHTSA complaint #861926, filed 2000-05“While parked, vehicle was hit in the rear quarter panel and the air bags did not deploy, also while at body shop seat belt sensor was damaged, dealer replaced seat belt sensor, however when consumer picked up vehicle, the air bag light was on.”
NHTSA complaint #898665, filed 2001-11“While drivng along the air bag warning light flashed on. The problem was corrected by the dealer. On jan 26, 1998 the air warning light flashed on again. The dealer will be correcting the problem. This is the second time air bag warning light flashed in almost a 2 month period.”
NHTSA complaint #820897, filed 1998-01“Air bag sensor light has been on for about a year. Consumer was told by the dealer that there is a bad air bag impact sensor on this vehicle, and that's why the light is on. Vehicle is out of warranty, and dealer refuses to do anything.”
NHTSA complaint #849948, filed 1999-10Related service bulletins
- 10192305Jan 27, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) safely is included in the "RESTRAINTS" section of the Electronic Service Manual (ESM)…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2022 | 3 | 10% |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% |
| 2020 | 9 | 5% |
| 2019 | 11 | 5% |
| 2018 | 36 | 16% |
| 2017 | 74 | 19% |
| 2016 | 72 | 13% |
| 2015 | 177 | 19% |
| 2014 | 208 | 19% |
| 2013 | 514 | 22% |
| 2012 | 57 | 13% |
| 2011 | 22 | 9% |
| 2010 | 61 | 16% |
| 2009 | 91 | 6% |
| 2008 | 142 | 14% |
| 2007 | 63 | 13% |
| 2006 | 43 | 5% |
| 2005 | 47 | 4% |
| 2004 | 11 | 4% |
| 2003 | 28 | 3% |
| 2002 | 34 | 3% |
| 2001 | 15 | 9% |
| 2000 | 14 | 9% |
| 1999 | 13 | 15% |
| 1998 | 15 | 12% |
| 1997 | 35 | 32% |
| 1996 | 37 | 40% |
| 1995 | 61 | 34% |
| 1994 | 40 | 38% |
| 1993 | 19 | 16% |
Other parts of the 1993 Nissan Altima
34 complaintsSeat belts
19 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1993 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology