Nissan Altima / 1997
1997 Nissan Altima problems
Owners have filed 141 complaints about the 1997 Nissan Altima with NHTSA. Air bags account for 26.2% of them — the clear leader, ahead of electrical system at 11.3%.
Complaints141
Crashes40
Fires7
Injuries31
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Air bags 26.2% · 37
Electrical system 11.3% · 16
Unknown or other 6.4% · 9
Seat belts 5.7% · 8
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.7% · 8
Structure 5.7% · 8
Power train 5.7% · 8
Engine and engine cooling 5.0% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 40 describe a crash, 7 describe a fire and 31 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 29 model years of the Nissan Altima in this data, 1997 sits 24th by complaint volume. 2013 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 13 in the last three years against 6 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 120,000 miles.
In owners' own words
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. 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. Air bags · reported at 58,000 miles
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. Air bags
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…