1997 Nissan Altima: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 108 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (32% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was hit, rear-ended, very hard and the airbag definitely should have deployed. I was making a left turn, stopped for at least 10 seconds waiting for traffic to clear and a car slammed into the back of me with no attempt to hit their brakes”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
“Due to corrosion, both rear sub member and front cradle are rotting out and must be replaced. Vehicle is unsafe. Once replaced, other work may be needed”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2016
“The car don't start. My seatbelt shredding and I worry that my air bag won't work if my children and I got into an accident”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“While slowing down & applied brakes at a stop sign, the car instead suddenly accelerated crossing four lanes of traffic and ultimately slamming into a tree.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2015
“This car had been repaired almost every year since I owned this car in september 2004. Had a sudden overheat problem recently. My mechanic told me engine head gasket was damaged or wore out. Did not repair the car. The car has 131,000 miles. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2013
“Sun visor - it keeps falling down in my line of vision. (won't stay up at all). On drivers side. Numerous others have had this problem and it costs about $400 to replace! I think it's a manufacturers problem. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2009
“I own a 1997 nissan altima. I have put in new headlights but they are still very very dim.. I had my lens cleaned professionally and still they are dim. I see there is a issue with the amber thing in the headlights. Is this a factory recall? I am unemployed and on disability, so my income is very very low. This is extremely! *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 nissan altima. While at a red light on november 5, 2008, the passenger side door of the contact's vehicle was struck by another vehicle. The contact's vehicle traveled down an embankment and rolled over. She sustained injuries and the air bags failed to deploy. The nissan manufacturer was notified, but they have not responded in over four months. The contact was the only occupant in the vehicle and she was wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 05/20/09.*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 nissan altima. The contact stated that his vehicle is defective and has caused head on and side crashes. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle crashes into other vehicles head on. The cause of the crashes were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 106,000.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2008
“Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the right front coil spring fractured and penetrated the inner sidewall of the right front tire without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop who determined both front coil springs were extremely corroded. The front coil springs were replaced. The vehicle was exposed to excessive road salts and extreme winter weather. The manufacturer was contacted.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 31 of these complaints and injuries in 24 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES WERE PRODUCED WITH A "BUCKLE BASE" THAT WAS IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED. THIS CAN CAUSE THE "BUCKLE BASE" TO BE BRITTLE FAILING TO COMPLY TO FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.
Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Altima by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Nissan Altima reliable?
NHTSA has 108 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Nissan Altima. The most complained-about area is air bags (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Nissan Altima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 92,420 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Nissan Altima have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:buckle assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.