MYRModel Year Report

1997 Nissan Altima

▲ Better than typical
1997 Nissan Altima
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:09:10.003Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Altima Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1993: 122 complaints 1993 1994: 106 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 123 complaints 1998 1999: 87 complaints 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2002: 1047 complaints 2003: 883 complaints 2003 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1091 complaints 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2008: 1028 complaints 2008 2009: 1547 complaints 2010: 380 complaints 2011: 241 complaints 2012: 423 complaints 2013: 2303 complaints 2013 2014: 1111 complaints 2015: 941 complaints 2016: 544 complaints 2017: 382 complaints 2018: 223 complaints 2018 2019: 223 complaints 2020: 172 complaints 2021: 67 complaints 2022: 28 complaints 2023: 28 complaints 2023 2024: 39 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025
1997: 108 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1993122
1994106
1995180
199692
1997108
1998123
199987
2000160
2001159
20021047
2003883
2004276
20051091
2006824
2007471
20081028
20091547
2010380
2011241
2012423
20132303
20141111
2015941
2016544
2017382
2018223
2019223
2020172
202167
202228
202328
202439
20256

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 17%

17% of complaints: air bags — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20200124

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT BEEN INVOLVED ON A COLISION AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO CALL HIM BACK NEVER DID. TS

NHTSA ODI report, 20021107

AIR BAGS 14%

14% of complaints: air bags — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING,HAD BLOWN OUT AND THE DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE CROSSED THE CONCRETE MEDIAN, AND HIT AN 18 WHEELER HEAD ON, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. TS SCC

NHTSA ODI report, 20021210

POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4%

4% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 4 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
VISIBILITY 3%

3% of complaints: visibility — 3 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19961028 — seat belts

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

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

Campaign 96V185000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100315 — suspension

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

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.

Campaign 10E002000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V185000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10E002000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2021 ▲ 1999

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2009 ■ 2014

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Nissan Altima reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Nissan Altima is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Nissan Altima?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Nissan Altima have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.