Skip to content
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)Part report

1996 Nissan Altima Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
5%of 92 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the visibility of the 1996 Nissan Altima, 5% of the 92 complaints for this model year.

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.

“Debris collects in the windshield well of my car. It then apparently falls down into the heating vent section. As a result, I have had smoke come out of the driver's side hood of my car, and a burning smell pour into the car cabin. I took the car to the dealer, who informed me that there was no filter on the car to prevent this from happening, and wants to charge me to fix the problem (by cleaning out debris). When I asked him how I prevent this from happening, he told me not to park under trees. This is virtually impossible to do where I live.”

NHTSA complaint #703642, filed 1999-02

“Brakes have always squeaked excessively whether new or worn. Front defogger vents on dash separated from dash as dash continues to swell and deform over time in a premature manner I have also observed this defect on many other altimas”

NHTSA complaint #756891, filed 2002-01

Related service bulletins

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025114%
202425%
202327%
202213%
202123%
2020116%
2019156%
201831%
201731%
2016122%
2015313%
2014252%
2013633%
2012184%
201162%
2010287%
2009483%
200818818%
2007123%
200661%
2005141%
200462%
2003142%
2002131%
2001138%
200085%
199989%
1998108%
199766%
199655%
199532%
199433%
199387%

Other parts of the 1996 Nissan Altima

Air bags
37 complaints
Electrical system
11 complaints
Engine cooling
8 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
7 complaints
Vehicle speed control
6 complaints
Brakes
5 complaints
Exterior lighting
4 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints
Other or unknown
4 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Suspension
4 complaints
Steering
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1996 Nissan Altima

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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