1993-1997 Nissan Altima: Full Review
Updated: 12/17/09
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1993-1997 Nissan Altima and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Antilock brakes (optional)
- Fuel economy
- Instruments/controls
- Steering/handling
Cons
- Automatic-transmission performance
- Engine noise
- Road noise
- Wind noise
Vehicle Highlights
For 1993, Nissan replaced the Stanza with the Altima. The major improvement over the Stanza was an extra inch of rear leg room and head room. The compact Altima was offered in four versions: base, step-up GXE, sporty SE, and deluxe GLE. The only available engine was a revamped version of the Stanza's 2.4-liter twin-cam 4-cylinder. When installed in the Altima, it provided 150 horsepower. A 5-speed manual was standard on all models except the flagship GLE version, which came standard with the 4-speed automatic that was optional on the three lower trim levels. A driver-side airbag came standard and when optional antilock brakes were ordered, rear disc brakes replaced the standard rear drums.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Nissan Altima GXE Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 48 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1993-1997 Nissan Altima. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1993-1997 Nissan Altima.
Year to Year Changes
1994 Nissan Altima:
A passenger-side airbag and 3-point manual front seatbelts are the major new features this year for Altima.
1995 Nissan Altima:
The grille insert switches from a honeycomb pattern to horizontal bars; taillamps receive a subtle update and the wheel covers have been redesigned.
1996 Nissan Altima:
Nissan's popular Altima returns nearly unchanged for 1996.
1997 Nissan Altima:
No significant changes were made to the 1997 Altima, which was released in June instead of September 1996. Early production cars did not include the side-impact door beams federally mandated for 1997, so Nissan began offering a 1997 1/2 model in the fall that included the extra crash protection. Altima would be all new for '98.
Our road test for the 1993-1997 Nissan Altima includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1993-1997 Nissan Altima and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1993-1997 Nissan Altima is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Performance and fuel economy from the standard 150-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine are more than adequate. Even with the automatic transmission, passing response is fine. But when called upon to pass quickly or make a merging maneuver, aggressive use of the accelerator is required to coax the automatic to make its one- or two-gear downshift. Benefiting from its wide standard tires (205/60R-15s), the Altima is more athletic and nimble than all but the Accord. Ride quality is comfortable, if firm, and braking is strong and progressive. Also contributing to the car's handling prowess is its crisp steering response. The only potential drawback is a cabin that could use a bit more sound insulation. The interior provides adequate head room for all passengers and enough space for two adults in the rear seat. The trunk has a wide, flat floor, giving the Altima good cargo room for its size.
Value for the Money
Overall, we rate Nissan's compact sedan highly and encourage buyers to give it a close look before buying anything in its league.
Overall, we rate Nissan's compact sedan highly and encourage buyers to give it a close look before buying anything in its league.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Nissan Altima GXE Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 48 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Nissan Altima includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Nissan Altima .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Air conditioner:
Weak or failed A/C may be due to internal problem with evaporator or to debris in the expansion valve. (1993-97)
Air conditioner:
Poor air-conditioner performance may be caused by a refrigerant leak at the compressor-joint connector and is fixed by replacing the O-ring. (1993-95)
Automatic transmission:
If the gauges quit working, the check-engine light comes on, or the transmission shifts harshly, then a wiring harness may be chafing on the top of the transmission under the battery tray or the instrument-wiring harness is chafing on the airbag-harness support bracket. (1995)
Automatic transmission:
Burnt transmission fluid or no reverse gear signal a defective rear control valve and low/reverse brake. (1993-94)
Automatic transmission:
If the transmission does not shift properly until warmed up, make sure it is filled only with Nissanmatic "C" transmission fluid. (All)
Brakes:
Inspect the right-rear brake hose for chafing on the rear suspension, which could lead to a leak and brake failure. (1995)
Engine noise:
Noisy timing chain might be due to broken lower-chain guide. (1993-97)
Oil leak:
Oil leaking from the front of the engine could be caused by a bad O-ring between the timing cover and the engine block. (1993-95)
Rough idle:
If the spark plug vent holes get clogged, the engine may run rough and/or the check engine light might illuminate. (1995-97)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $510 |
| Alternator | $275 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $900 |
| Brakes | $200 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $440 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $385 |
| Exhaust System | $475 |
| Radiator | $280 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $540 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $755 |
Our price chart for this generation Nissan Altima details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1997 | |||
| Altima | $2,100-2,600 | $1,500-1,800 | $400-500 |
| Altima SE, GLE | $2,400-3,000 | $1,700-2,200 | $500-600 |
| 1996 | |||
| Altima | $1,800-2,300 | $1,200-1,600 | $300 |
| Altima SE, GLE | $2,100-2,600 | $1,500-1,800 | $400-500 |
| 1995 | |||
| Altima | $1,500-1,900 | $1,000-1,200 | $200 |
| Altima SE, GLE | $1,700-2,200 | $1,100-1,500 | $300 |
| 1994 | |||
| Altima | $1,300-1,700 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
| Altima SE, GLE | $1,500-2,000 | $1,000-1,300 | $200-300 |
| 1993 | |||
| Altima | $1,200-1,600 | $700-1,000 | $100-200 |
| Altima SE, GLE | $1,300-1,700 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Nissan Altima include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 103.1 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 180.5 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 67.1 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 55.9 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2853 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 14.0 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 15.9 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.3 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.6 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.6 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 34.7 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
All four Altima models (XE, GXE, SE, and GLE) have a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts. It produces 150 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 154 pound-feet of torque at 4400 rpm. A 5-speed manual is standard on the base XE, GXE, and sporty SE, while the 4-speed automatic that comes optional on those three versions is standard on the luxury-oriented GLE. Acceleration is more than adequate, with 0-60 times of 9.4 seconds or so when equipped with the automatic.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I4 | 2.4 / 146 | 150 | 154 | 5-speed manual: 24/30 4-speed automatic: 21/29 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 20.2 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: USA
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Nissan Altima include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1997 Altima |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1993-1997 Nissan Altima directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1993-94:
Engine movement can cause throttle-cable housing to pull out of its guide; engine may then not return to idle when gas pedal is released.
1994-95:
Air bags in certain vehicles are causing eye injuries. Dealer will replace all affected air bags.
1995 w/automatic:
Shift-lever lock plate can be broken; movement of lever without driver's knowledge can result in unexpected vehicle movement.
1995:
On a few cars, right-rear brake hose may contact suspension component, causing abrasion and eventual leakage.
1997:
Seatbelts might not restrain occupant during a collision.
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