37 of the 141 complaints about the 1997 Nissan Altima are about the airbag system — 26% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 61,500 miles.
37
Complaints
25
Crashes
0
Fires
15
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY BLINKS WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. DEALER REPLACED THE COMPLETE AIR BAG SYSTEM ON DRIVER SIDE. *AK THE PANEL WAS REPLACED AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10092531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FOIA FWD FM WEBMASTER REQUEST COPY OF ALL INFORMATION, DOCUMENTS, PHOTOS, DIAGRAMS, NOTES, CONSUMER COMPLAINTS TEST RESULTS, NHTSA FINDINGS FOR THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG ON THE 1997 NISSAN ALTIMA.*MR *CB
NHTSA complaint #10033729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
MY SON WAS IN A HEAD ON CRASH IN MY VEHICLE. HE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN HE HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR. HIS AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID HIS SEATBELT LOCK. HIS CHIN HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. HIS HEAD AND HAND BOTH WENT INTO THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IS CRACKED. HE WAS DRIVING A 1997 NISSAN ALTIMA. I ALSO HAVE PHOTOS OF THE CAR AND THE WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #10052605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
WHILE WAITING FOR A RED LIGHT TO CHANGE TO A GREEN LIGHT, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END AND SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT. BOTH IMPACTS WERE ABOUT 35 TO 45 MPH, AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS ISSUED. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10050087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL FLASH ON AND OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10025039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
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
NHTSA complaint #10004474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10001634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 WOULD LIKE TO NISSAN COMPANY TO CAREFULLY INVESTIGATE ON WHAT HAPPENED WHY THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED DURING THE COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #10000238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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 WOULD LIKE TO NISSAN COMPANY TO CAREFULLY INVESTIGATE ON WHAT HAPPENED WHY THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED DURING THE COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #10000238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 complaint #8024092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #8022394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHILE DRIVING 55MPH HIT CAR FROM BEHIND AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #8015045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN HEAD INJURY BY KNOCKING THE FRONT MIRROR OFF, APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #563275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH THEN ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN INTO THE CONSUMER HEAD ON AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8007932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN HEAD INJURY BY KNOCKING THE FRONT MIRROR OFF, APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #563275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DURING FRONT END COLLISION, THE THREE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. NLM
NHTSA complaint #560684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL CUTS OFF ENGINE AND POWER. IF KEPT IN THE HIGHEST POSITION IT WILL START AND RUN. BUT IF ONE TRIES TO LOWER THE STEERING WHEEL, THE WHOLE CAR TURNS OFF. MOVING IT ALSO BLOWS THE IGNITION FUSE. OR THAT'S WHAT THE REPAIR MAN SAID. I AM FAIRLY SHORT AND FIND IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IT THIS WAY. ALSO I'M CONCERNED AS TO IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO EVER DEPLOY, IT IS NOW AIMED DIRECTLY AT MY HEAD. AS FOR THE ACCIDENT ON 1/1/1999 WE WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN WE WERE REAR ENDED AND RAMMED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. NEITHER OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING OR AFTER THE INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #743684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN BLINKING FOR A YEAR OR MORE. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE AIR BAG SYSTEM AT THEIR COST. ONLY SOLUTION IS A TOTAL REPLACEMENT. WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION WHAT CAUSED LIGHT TO BLINK.
NHTSA complaint #885855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WE HAVE A VIDEO SHOWING CAR DAMAGE. CAR WAS TOTALLED BY INSURANCE COMPANY (GEICO) AND ADJUSTER IS AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. NISSAN DEALER CONTACTED AND LAUGHED AT US (JAMES WILLIAMS). THEY GAVE A 1-800-NISSAN TO COMPLAINT TO, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A COPY OF VIDEO. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #726107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, I WAS HIT FROM THE REAR BY A CAR TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH. UPON IMPACT THE DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED AND CAME OFF TRACK. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY OF THE DAMAGE, I CONTACTED NISSAN TO FIND OUT WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE TO PREVENT TTHIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN BECAUSE IF MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE BACK SEAT, ANY CHILD BEHIND ME WOULD HAVE BEEN CRUSHED TO DEATH. NISSAN SAID THAT THE SEAT WAS SUPPOSED TO COLLAPSE AS A SAFTEY MECAHANISM. I AM STILL UNDERGOING THERAPY FOR INJURY TO MY LOW BACK, WHICH HURT UPON IMPACT, AND MY NECK AND SHOULDERS. I WANT THIS SEAT FIXED. I WOULD RATHER HAVE WHIPLASH, WHICH I SUSTAINED ANYWAY, THAN CRUSH ONE OF MY CHILDREN TO DEATH.*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/60R15 )
NHTSA complaint #724838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT IS ON AND WON'T GO OFF. CONSUMER THINKS THE AIR BAGS MIGHT DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #851571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
ON JULY 07 1999, I WAS PULLING OUT FROM A SIDE STREET ONTO A TWO LANE ROAD. AS I WAS COMPLETING MY TURN, AN SUV HAD CROSSED THE SOLID YELLOW LINE IN ATTEMPT TO GO AROUND ME IN THE WRONG LANE. AS A RESULT, MY 1997 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS HIT IN THE FRONT LEFT (NEARLY HEAD ON) AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. ESTIMATED AT 40-50 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY $9,000 DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. NEITHER DRIVER SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I SUSTAINED A CERVICAL MYOFASCIAL (WHIPLASH) INJURY THAT STILL HAS NOT RESOLVED, AND THANK GOD MY CHILDREN WERE NOT INJURED BADLY. THE AUTO BODY TECHNICIAN AND INSURANCE ADJUSTER (USAA) STATED THAT WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE AIRBAGS WERE DEFECTIVE AND ABSOLUTELY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. ANEVALUATION OF THE AIRBAGS IS PENDING.
NHTSA complaint #710319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AFTER TAKING VEHICLE OUT OF REVERSE INTO DRIVE, THE THROTTLE STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO INCREASE SPEED, RESULTING IN A FRONTAL IMPACT AT 30 MPH. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. 538860 DUP OF 824193; POSTED ON 09-07-1999.
NHTSA complaint #824193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND INVOLVED IN A SANDWICH CRASH, VEHICLE WAS HIT BY OTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING ABOUT 42 MPH, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS. THE VEHILCE IS BEING REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #833499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.