The 1997 Nissan Altima has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 36,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 141 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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."
IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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”
“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”
“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”
“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”
“Vehicle I missing and I had to file a police report for a stolen vehicle.”
“Vehicle I missing and I had to file a police report for a stolen vehicle.”
“Vehicle I missing and I had to file a police report for a stolen vehicle.”
“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”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Nissan Altima as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.