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1997 Nissan AltimaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 108 owner complaints about the 1997 Nissan Altima, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

60
CarFlaw IndexSolid year33% below the Altima median · #25 of 32 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints10854 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage62kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 24, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Nissan Altima has problems

108 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags3523
Electrical system142
Structure83
Service brakes, hydraulic85
Seat belts82
Power train81
Engine and engine cooling72
Suspension71
Visibility60
12 other systems276

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1997 Nissan Altima recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 96V-185 · Oct 10, 1996 · 36,000 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Altima year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Altima median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Nissan Altima safety ratings

1997 Nissan Altima 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Altima owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 11301549 · Jan 24, 2020 · 96,000 miles
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
Complaint 10898165 · Aug 24, 2016
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…
Complaint 10267313 · Apr 30, 2009 · 140,000 miles

Own a 1997 Altima?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.