1996 Nissan Altima Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 4%of 92 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1996 Nissan Altima, 4% of the 92 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40 miles.
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.
“I bought my pre-owned 1996 Nissan Altima in november of 2000. I have been experiencing difficulty with my trunk when it rains. The rain water is leaking into the trunk through the rear lights. I had the seal checked and that was okay. I went to trade in the car, for an upgrade, and they had asked me about the rear lights. They had said that there was a recall because of the leaks. I was wondering if this is true and if not, I would like to put in a complaint about them.”
NHTSA complaint #10067876, filed 2004-04“From the moment I've purchased the vehicle, I noticed that once the brakes were applied at any speed, that the brake lights flicker and do not light properly. One side doesn't light while the other side does. This event only happens when the headlights are on. There is no problem when operating the vehicle without headlights or running lights on. This seems to be a common problem as I drive for a living and notice repeatedly that this incident occurs with virtually every Nissan Altima that I observe on the roads. …”
NHTSA complaint #768623, filed 2002-10Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 13 | 6% |
| 2017 | 18 | 5% |
| 2016 | 42 | 8% |
| 2015 | 270 | 28% |
| 2014 | 299 | 27% |
| 2013 | 442 | 19% |
| 2012 | 5 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 7 | 2% |
| 2009 | 9 | 1% |
| 2008 | 9 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 1% |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% |
| 2005 | 13 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% |
| 2003 | 17 | 2% |
| 2002 | 41 | 4% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% |
| 1996 | 4 | 4% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 2 | 2% |
| 1993 | 3 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1996 Nissan Altima
37 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 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 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