1997 Nissan Altima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1997 Nissan Altima sits mid-pack among Altima years: 141 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 320, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 31 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 37 reports (26% of the total).

141

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Altima years?

Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Altima years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Nissan Altima problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Airbags	37	26%	— flat
Electrical System	16	11%	— flat
Other	10	7%	▲ up
Brakes	9	6%	▲ up
Seat Belts	8	6%	▲ up
Engine	8	6%	— flat
Body & Structure	8	6%	▲ up
Transmission	8	6%	— flat
Suspension	7	5%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	7	5%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	6	4%	— flat
Fuel System	5	4%	— flat
Speed Control	5	4%	▼ down
Lighting	4	3%	— flat
Steering	1	1%	▼ down
Seats	1	1%	— flat
Latches & Locks	1	1%	— flat

Does the 1997 Nissan Altima have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10E002000SuspensionFebruary 11, 2010 · 12,657 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

96V185000Seat BeltsOctober 10, 1996 · 36,000 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MY SON WAS IN A HEAD ON CRASH IN MY VEHICLE. HE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN HE HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR. HIS AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID HIS SEATBELT LOCK. HIS CHIN HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. HIS HEAD AND HAND BOTH WENT INTO THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IS CRACKED. HE WAS DRIVING A 1997…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 30, 2003 · crash

“ELECTRICAL FIRE IN FUSE BOX IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, WITHOUT WARNING. POWER DOOR LOCKS WOULD RELOCK DOORS AFTER MANUAL UNLOCK RESULTING IN PROBLEMS EXITING VEHICLE.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

“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.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 1, 2008 · crash

“AIRBAG - DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN 35MPH HEAD-ON CRASH. DRIVER WAS SEVERELY INJURED. BRAKES - BRAKES DID NOT ADEQUATELY STOP THE VEHICLE IN 35MPH HEAD-ON CRASH. DRIVER WAS SEVERELY INJURED. TRANSMISSION - TRANSMISSION CONSTANTLY SLIPS, TAKES FEW MINUTES TO ENGAGE FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE.…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 3, 1998 · crash

“MY SON WAS IN A HEAD ON CRASH IN MY VEHICLE. HE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN HE HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR. HIS AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID HIS SEATBELT LOCK. HIS CHIN HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. HIS HEAD AND HAND BOTH WENT INTO THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IS CRACKED. HE WAS DRIVING A 1997…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · December 30, 2003 · crash

1997 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 1997 Nissan Altima reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 141 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Altima year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1997 Altima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (37 complaints), electrical system (16 complaints), other (10 complaints).

Does the 1997 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Altima years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Altima years to avoid are 2013, 2009, 2014, 2008, 2005, 2002, 2015, 2003, 2006, 2016, 2007, 2012, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022. The cleanest record among Altima years belongs to 2025.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1997 compare to other Altima years?

What are the most common 1997 Nissan Altima problems?

Does the 1997 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1997 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 1997 Nissan Altima reliable?

What are the most common 1997 Altima problems?

Does the 1997 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Which Nissan Altima years should you avoid?

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