1996 Nissan Altima Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 9%of 92 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Nissan Altima, 9% of the 92 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 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.
“Re: Nissan Altima 1996: the catalytic converter is too new to go bad and there are too many bad ones showing up. I had to replace it at a very high cost to me, when the vehicle was only 6 years old.”
NHTSA complaint #10051529, filed 2004-01, 84,000 miles“The upper oil pan seal is not secure. This causes oil to leak from engine. I am familiar with four other individuals with the same problem ( Altima owners). The seal itself is very inexpensive, but the labor to lift the engine to replace the seal, is estimated at approximately $450 to $600. With five Altima owners with the same problem, I feel this is a design error. Any help would be greatly appreciated!”
NHTSA complaint #702829, filed 1999-02“Consumer states that when slowing down the engine rev's really high. Consumer states when pulling off vehicle will jerk like its a manual shift. Please provide any further information. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #8019335, filed 2002-09“I am aware of tech. Safety bull. Ntb 96-009; 009a; 009b. Transmission failed 3 times. Each time it would not shift into reverse and neutral gear was a forward gear. Drive gears were not correct, often neutral. 1st 2 times, problem corrected itself after about 1 hr. Dealer refused to deal with problem until 3rd failure, claiming they needed to see the actual problem before dealing with it. They did inspect car after 1st failure but found nothing. 3rd time they did line and pressure (?) tests, which they could have done 1st two times but did not. Transmission failed. …”
NHTSA complaint #707511, filed 1999-06Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 5 | 3% |
| 2019 | 9 | 4% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 3 | 0% |
| 2013 | 8 | 0% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% |
| 2010 | 4 | 1% |
| 2009 | 10 | 1% |
| 2008 | 21 | 2% |
| 2007 | 44 | 9% |
| 2006 | 189 | 23% |
| 2005 | 259 | 24% |
| 2004 | 109 | 39% |
| 2003 | 450 | 51% |
| 2002 | 594 | 57% |
| 2001 | 59 | 37% |
| 2000 | 49 | 31% |
| 1999 | 8 | 9% |
| 1998 | 14 | 11% |
| 1997 | 7 | 6% |
| 1996 | 8 | 9% |
| 1995 | 28 | 16% |
| 1994 | 11 | 10% |
| 1993 | 16 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1996 Nissan Altima
37 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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