Complaints
141
Crashes
40
Fires
7
Injuries
31
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Nissan Altima Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#118 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:81,800 mi
Crash-related:11
#216 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Crash-related:13
#35 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Nissan Altima.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 18 | 11 | — | 81,800 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 16 | 13 | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Trunk Lid | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 | — | — | — |
Airbags
18
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,800
Air Bags:Frontal
16
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Trunk Lid
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Nissan Altima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Nissan Altima Years
1997 Nissan Altima — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Nissan Altima reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1997 Nissan Altima has 141 NHTSA complaints, 40 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 18 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Nissan Altima?
Top reported problems: Airbags (18 complaints, avg 81,800 mi); Air Bags:Frontal (16 complaints); Automatic Transmission (5 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Nissan Altima?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 81,800 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Nissan Altima include 40 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 31 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Nissan Altima as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Nissan Altima?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Altima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Nissan Altima
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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