1997 Nissan ALTIMA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
66 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
92,420 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 66 complaints (22.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 10.6% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 15 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 7 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 |
Air Bags: 15; Unknown Or Other: 9; Air Bags:Frontal: 7; Electrical System: 3; Tires: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 46 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 13 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 13 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2000: 13; 2001: 7; 2002: 12; 2003: 13; 2004: 4; 2005: 4; 2006: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 3; 2010: 1; 2013: 1; 2016: 4; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000238 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
OWNER WAS DRIVIMG HIS 1997 NISSAN ALTIMA SE ON THE CENTER LANE ALONG MEADOWBROOK PARKWAY, LONG ISLAND, NY. THE BMW 7.4 ON THE RIGHT SIDE (FIRST LANE) MERGED INTO THE CENTER LANE AND MADE A SUDDEN BRAKE. OWNER OF THE NISSAN ALTIMA APPLIED A SUDDEN BRAKE BUT BECAUSE OF THE SHORT DISTANCE IN BETWEEN TWO CARS, THE ALTIMA HIT THE BMW ON THE REAR. BOTH CARS WERE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MILES PER HOUR. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER, WHO IS 8 MONTH PREAGNANT, REQUIRED TO BE HOSPITALIZED FOR TWO DAYS. I W…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000238 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001634 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)
WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH AN 18 WHEELER. CONSUMER STATES NONE OF THE FOUR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. ALL FOUR PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001634 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003721 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT ALTERNATOR IS DEFECTIVE AND CONSTANTLY DRAINING VEHICLE'S BATTERY. DEALER INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED THAT ALTERNATOR WAS ASSEMBLED INCORRECTLY AT TIME OF VEHICLE MANUFACTURE. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003721 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004474 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT IS WAS RELATED TO A PART IN THE COMPUTER, THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (PART UNKNOWN). TS THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHTS REMAIN TO FLICKERING. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004474 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023208 · 2003-06-17 (June 17, 2003)
I WOULD LIKE TO COMPLAIN THAT CAR MANUFACTURERS ARE GETTING AWAY WITH INSTALLING STRAIGHT CAM BOLTS ON THE NEW CARS, WHICH FORCE YOU TO PURCHASE ADJUSTABLE CAM BOLTS WHEN THE CAR NEEDS ALIGNMENT. IT HAS RUINED TWO SETS OF TIRES BEFORE A MECHANIC FINALLY TOLD ME WHAT WAS NEEDED AND THAN IT WAS OVER $300 FOR THE CAM BOLTS TO BE INSTALLED. THIS IS AN UNFAIR PARTS PRACTICE BY THE MANUFACTURERS. NO ONE WAS HURT BUT MY TIRES WERE IN DANGER OF TREAD SEPARATION BECAUSE OF THIS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10023208 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025039 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL FLASH ON AND OFF. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029227 · 2003-07-26 (July 26, 2003)
THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHTS ARE LEAKING I HAD THE REPAIRED AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP, 2 WEEKS LATER THEY STARTED TO LEAK AGAIN. THE TRUNK IS RUSTED AT THE BOTTOM AND THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO GUARANTEE ON THE WORK, BUT AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET AND TALKING TO OTHER PEOPLE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR 97 NISSAN ALTIMAS.
Owner-reported narrative. 64,149 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029227 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031123 · 2003-08-08 (August 8, 2003)
CAR CAM SHAFT BROKE TOOK IT TO DEALER TO BE REPAIRED THEY SAID THAT ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED WHAT CAUSED THE CAM SHAFT TO BREAK THEY SAID I HAVENT BEEN GETTING OIL CHANGES AND DID NOT TAKE CARE OF THE CAR. WHICH IS NOT THE CASE. I CALLED DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE WITH SERVICE MANAGER AND EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I HAD ALL MY SERVICES DONE WITH THEM HE LOOKED UP INFORMATION AND AGREED THAT I DID HAVE ALL SERVICE MAINTENCE DONE AT THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I HAVE ALL OF THE INVOICES TO PROVE THIS. I FEEL THAT DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE N…
Owner-reported narrative. 64,878 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031123 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
96V185000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1996-10-10 (October 10, 1996)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗