1994 Nissan Altima Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 13%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 107,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 1994 Nissan Altima, 13% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 107,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 94 Nissan Altima shuts down while driving without any warning. The first time this has happened was sometime in april of 2004. While accelerating from a stop sign the car started jurking and the engine died. I started the car up again and kept on driving for about 1/2 a mile (I drove for about 10 miles prior to this car failure and than after the car was parked idle for about 5 hours I drove back home for 12 miles with no problems). …”
NHTSA complaint #10126375, filed 2005-06, 107,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10059167, filed 2004-02, 114,000 miles“During cold weather intermittently the vehicle would not start. Dealership repaired the distributor five times, but the consumer was still having the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10115401, filed 2005-03, 19,100 miles“For the past 15 months my car has been a nightmare, it has been in and out of shops and no one can figure out the problem. Car dies on me when it come to a stop or slowing down, vihicle loses power while driving. Engine light turns on after 60 MPH, when car is turned off, it will not turn back on. I have to wait about an hour for it to turn back on. It will also not turn on if the car is up on a little hill. Continuous problem. And it is always jurking on me as if it is not getting enough gas.”
NHTSA complaint #10003017, filed 2003-01“The contact owns a 1994 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the roadway and was restarted. The failure recurred and the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was not called. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic where the distributor was replaced. The failure recurred and the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, and then later towed back to the same independent mechanic. The failure was unable to be diagnosed or repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11099838, filed 2018-06, 192,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10030165Apr 6, 2009Nissan: the 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay connected when the engine is running. To prevent damage to vehicle…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 | 11 | 37% |
| 2022 | 7 | 23% |
| 2021 | 21 | 30% |
| 2020 | 46 | 25% |
| 2019 | 58 | 25% |
| 2018 | 37 | 16% |
| 2017 | 27 | 7% |
| 2016 | 42 | 8% |
| 2015 | 56 | 6% |
| 2014 | 71 | 6% |
| 2013 | 159 | 7% |
| 2012 | 44 | 10% |
| 2011 | 32 | 13% |
| 2010 | 74 | 19% |
| 2009 | 466 | 30% |
| 2008 | 90 | 9% |
| 2007 | 37 | 8% |
| 2006 | 72 | 9% |
| 2005 | 97 | 9% |
| 2004 | 32 | 12% |
| 2003 | 89 | 10% |
| 2002 | 77 | 7% |
| 2001 | 19 | 12% |
| 2000 | 25 | 16% |
| 1999 | 4 | 5% |
| 1998 | 15 | 12% |
| 1997 | 14 | 13% |
| 1996 | 11 | 12% |
| 1995 | 16 | 9% |
| 1994 | 14 | 13% |
| 1993 | 7 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1994 Nissan Altima
40 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsTires
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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