Model year record

1997 Nissan Altima recalls & problems

The 1997 Nissan Altima has 3 safety recalls and 108 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (37 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints108filed by owners

Crashes · fires31 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths24 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionFeb 11, 2010

Suspension

Recall 10E00200012,657 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

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

Seat beltsOct 10, 1996

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 96V18500036,000 vehicles

Problem: 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."
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1997 Nissan Altima 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Altima / Stanza

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Altima / Stanza

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	37	25	0	22	61,500 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Fuses and circuit breakers; Ignition	16	0	2	0	—
Unknown or other	9	2	0	1	123,000 mi
StructureBody › Door; Body	8	0	2	1	—
Seat beltsRear/other; Front	8	1	0	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	8	5	0	1	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch	8	1	0	1	—
SuspensionRear › Shock absorber; Rear	7	1	0	1	66,122 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	7	0	2	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Windshield	6	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlCables	5	2	0	0	140,000 mi
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	5	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bagsCrash1 injury
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
Jan 4, 2020 · 96,000 miles
Structure › Body
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
Dec 1, 2016 · 169,000 miles
Electrical system
VEHICLE I MISSING AND I HAD TO FILE A POLICE REPORT FOR A STOLEN VEHICLE.
Sep 10, 2016 · 140,000 miles
Air bags
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
Mar 2, 2016
Service brakesCrash1 injury
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.
Jun 30, 2015
Engine
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
Jun 3, 2013 · 131,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
THE GAS PEDAL STIFF AND NEED TO BE PRESSED HARD WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND BEFORE 200 YARDS OF DRIVING. *TR
Jan 2, 2010 · 198,200 miles
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
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
Jul 18, 2009

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.