Model Year Problem Record

Nissan Altima 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Nissan Altima: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

108Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

47Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Vehicle Speed Control5

Tires5

Fuel and Propulsion System5

Latches, Locks and Linkages1

Did a Recall Cover It?

For each system: what owners reported, matched against the recalls on file for this model year. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags36 complaints

36 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts8 complaints

8 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V185000.

Suspension7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

96V185000Reported October 10, 1996 - 36,000 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on October 10, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 36,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19963

199714

199813

199912

200013

20017

200212

200313

20044

20054

20062

20081

20093

20101

20131

20164

20201

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.