1997 Nissan Altima Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 4%of 108 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1997 Nissan Altima, 4% of the 108 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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, filed 2009-06“Rear brake lights failure- both sides- first left then right- replaced went out again soon after. Lights on heater gauges failed. Cigarette lighter female part pulls out of dash when you take the lighter out. Passenger door panel came off-keeps the doors from unlocking- tried to fix it and ended up being locked in my car in the rain for an hour. Back passenger side seat belt was jammed. Also odometer is jammed-has never been tampered with. Was bringing my husband to work and I know that it is a 10 mile drive-none of the numbers rolled over. Works when it wants to.”
NHTSA complaint #10095666, filed 2004-10“Car will not start when the temperature falls below freezing. The dealer has tried to correct the problem and on two occasions has replaced the battery and the distributor. Both did not solve the problem. I believe the problem lines with the fuel line. The dealer cannot figure out what is wrong. The second failure are the two seals on the rear tailights which have resulted in water damage to the trunk.”
NHTSA complaint #717608, filed 2000-01Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 13 | 6% |
| 2017 | 18 | 5% |
| 2016 | 42 | 8% |
| 2015 | 270 | 28% |
| 2014 | 299 | 27% |
| 2013 | 442 | 19% |
| 2012 | 5 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 7 | 2% |
| 2009 | 9 | 1% |
| 2008 | 9 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 1% |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% |
| 2005 | 13 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% |
| 2003 | 17 | 2% |
| 2002 | 41 | 4% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% |
| 1996 | 4 | 4% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 2 | 2% |
| 1993 | 3 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1997 Nissan Altima
35 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsTires
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology