Owners have filed 141 complaints
about the 1997 Nissan Altima with NHTSA between 1996 and 2020.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 30 of 33 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 11
Against the median year of the Nissan Altima. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
50.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 6
4% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
27.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
725.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
311.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
933.3%
150,000+ miles
622.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 1996peak 7Jan 2020
Recalls on the 1997 Nissan Altima
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19961571,132 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 209 - SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE IN THE REAR SEAT ASSEMBLY DOES NOT MEET THE STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. CORRECTION: REAR SEAT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF REQUIRED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 96,000 milesFort Mill, SCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #11301549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Riverside, ILCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10825755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesPittsburgh, PACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED IN OVER FOUR MONTHS. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE AND SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 05/20/09.
NHTSA complaint #10267313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesPhoenix, AZCrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS CAUSED HEAD ON AND SIDE CRASHES. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHES INTO OTHER VEHICLES HEAD ON. THE CAUSE OF THE CRASHES WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 106,000.
NHTSA complaint #10222534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brecksville, OHCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
ON 10-12-04 MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, WHERE SHE HAD FAILED TO STOP QUICK ENOUGH AT A RED LIGHT. THERE WHERE THREE CARS AHEAD OF HER AT THE RED LIGHT. SHE WAS GOING APPROX. 10 MILES PER HOUR AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER WHICH LEAD A CHAIN REACTION INVOLVING THE OTHER TWO CARS. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. SHE WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. SHE WAS TREATED AND RELEASED. THERE WAS NOT DAMAGE TO HER CAR AND LITTLE DAMAGE TO THE THE OTHERS CARS. THE POLICE AT THE SCENE QUESTIONED WHY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT SUCH A LOW SPEED. MY CONCERN AND QUESTION ARE THE SAME. WHY WOULD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY AT SUCH A LOW SPEED AND PERHAPS CAUSE MORE TRAUMA AND INJURY. THE INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL BE INVESTIGATING THIS AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10096265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allston, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY 97 NISSAN ALTIMA(MILELAGE: 66K) RUNS PERFECTLY EXPECT THAT OCCASIONALLY ONCE I PRESS THE BRAKE TIGHTLY AND THE CAR STOP TOTALLY, THE CAR ACCELERATES SUDDENTLY AND RUSH FORWARD, I HAVE TO REPRESS THE BRAKE VERY QUICKLY TO STOP IT AGAIN. SINCE THIS JANUARY IT HAPPENED TWICE. FIRST TIME I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND I THOUGHT THE REASON IS THAT I DIDN'T PRESS THE BRAKE TIGHTLY. FOR THE SECOND TIME, I WAS QUITE SURE I PRESSED THE BRAKE FIRMLY AND STOP AT A STOP LINE, BUT SUDDENTLY THE CAR RUSHED OUT AND CRASHED IN ANOTHER CAR. I'VE ALREADY HAD A BRAKE SYSTEM CHECK AND COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. I PAID MORE THAN $2,000 FOR THE CAR I CRASHED BUT I FEEL VERY UNDERSERVED, AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO COMPLAIN. AND ALSO I HOPE MY CASE COULD SUPPLY SOME USEFUL INFORMATION FOR YOUR DATABASE, THAT'S THE REASON I WRITE TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH! SINCERELY, LI QIANG .
NHTSA complaint #10063633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 96,000 milesFort Mill, SCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #11301549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 169,000 milesLynnfield, MA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
NHTSA complaint #10936633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 169,000 milesLynnfield, MA
SUSPENSION
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
NHTSA complaint #10936633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 169,000 milesLynnfield, MA
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
NHTSA complaint #10936633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesNational City, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE I MISSING AND I HAD TO FILE A POLICE REPORT FOR A STOLEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10924053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesNational City, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE I MISSING AND I HAD TO FILE A POLICE REPORT FOR A STOLEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10924053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesNational City, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE I MISSING AND I HAD TO FILE A POLICE REPORT FOR A STOLEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10924053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Bedford, MA
SEAT BELTS
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
NHTSA complaint #10898165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Bedford, MA
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
NHTSA complaint #10898165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Bedford, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #10898165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Riverside, ILCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10825755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,000 milesBurke, VA
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #10523112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,000 milesBurke, VA
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.
NHTSA complaint #10523112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 198,200 milesDiamond BAR, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE GAS PEDAL STIFF AND NEED TO BE PRESSED HARD WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND BEFORE 200 YARDS OF DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10308772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 198,200 milesDiamond BAR, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE GAS PEDAL STIFF AND NEED TO BE PRESSED HARD WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND BEFORE 200 YARDS OF DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10308772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aurora, CO
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.
NHTSA complaint #10279400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harpursville, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I OWN A 1997 NISSAN ALTIMA. I HAVE PUT IN NEW HEADLIGHTS BUT THEY ARE STILL VERY VERY DIM.. I HAD MY LENS CLEANED PROFESSIONALLY AND STILL THEY ARE DIM. I SEE THERE IS A ISSUE WITH THE AMBER THING IN THE HEADLIGHTS. IS THIS A FACTORY RECALL? I AM UNEMPLOYED AND ON DISABILITY, SO MY INCOME IS VERY VERY LOW. THIS IS EXTREMELY!
NHTSA complaint #10274071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesPittsburgh, PACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED IN OVER FOUR MONTHS. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE AND SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 05/20/09.
NHTSA complaint #10267313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesPhoenix, AZCrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS CAUSED HEAD ON AND SIDE CRASHES. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHES INTO OTHER VEHICLES HEAD ON. THE CAUSE OF THE CRASHES WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 106,000.
NHTSA complaint #10222534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,122 milesSaunderstown, RI
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PENETRATED THE INNER SIDEWALL OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE ROAD SALTS AND EXTREME WINTER WEATHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #10165241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesNaples, FL
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE HAD A TIRE ROTATION PERFORMED, THE TIRE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE AXLE SPINDLE HAD DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE AXLE SPINDLE AND ATTRIBUTED THE DETERIORATION TO THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY.
NHTSA complaint #10155217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Suisun City, CA
AIR BAGS
COMPLAINT REGARDING THE REPAIRS OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM ON THE 1997 NISSAN ALTIMA.*MR THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASH. WHILE DOING INTERNET RESEARCH THE CONSUMER CAME ACROSS TWO SERVICE BULLETINS FOR AIR BAGS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED SOMEONE ABOUT THESE SERVICE BULLETINS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WORK COULD BE DONE ON THE VEHICLE UNTIL 12/31/04. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PRIOR TO THIS DATE BUT THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA complaint #10120415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,900 milesDebary, FL
TIRES:SIDEWALL
MICHELIN HYDOEDGE P215/60R15 TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING ON I75 NEAAR FORT MYERS. INSIDE SIDEWALL BLEW ON REAR DRIVER'S SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10113857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamilton, NJ
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED BLINKING WHILE THE IGNITION IS ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID NEEDED NEW AIR BAG CONTROLLER. WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR THE LIGHT STOPPED FLASHING, I SPOKE WITH SERVICE REP AND HE SAID THAT THE LIGHT WILL COME ON AGAIN AND THEY HAVE A REPORT DETAILING THE CODE FROM THE COMPUTER.
NHTSA complaint #10106543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brecksville, OHCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
ON 10-12-04 MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, WHERE SHE HAD FAILED TO STOP QUICK ENOUGH AT A RED LIGHT. THERE WHERE THREE CARS AHEAD OF HER AT THE RED LIGHT. SHE WAS GOING APPROX. 10 MILES PER HOUR AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER WHICH LEAD A CHAIN REACTION INVOLVING THE OTHER TWO CARS. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. SHE WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. SHE WAS TREATED AND RELEASED. THERE WAS NOT DAMAGE TO HER CAR AND LITTLE DAMAGE TO THE THE OTHERS CARS. THE POLICE AT THE SCENE QUESTIONED WHY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT SUCH A LOW SPEED. MY CONCERN AND QUESTION ARE THE SAME. WHY WOULD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY AT SUCH A LOW SPEED AND PERHAPS CAUSE MORE TRAUMA AND INJURY. THE INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL BE INVESTIGATING THIS AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10096265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.