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Engine & cooling

1997 Nissan Altima Engine problems

Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 1997 Nissan Altima's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 8% of all its complaints, most recently on July 3, 2013. They describe 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

This car had been repaired almost every year since I owned this car in september 2004. Had a sudden overheat problem recently. My mechanic told me engine head gasket was damaged or wore out. Did not repair the car. The car has 131,000 miles. *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 10523112
Engine & cooling

Bought a 97 nissan pathfinder in sept. 03...Shortly after purchasing the vehicle the service engine light came on. The engine light has since had a mind of its own, turning on and off depending on the climate outside the vehicle. I recently learned that it is the evap vent control valve and o ring which need to be replaced. I had taken the car into 3 dealerships on the east coast where I was told numerous other issues were causing the light. I have put $4500 worth of work into the vehicle only to find out that it...

Read the full complaint

was a $122 part that supposedly needs to be replaced. I have spoken to other nissan owners (many with other nissan vehicles-not pathfinders) and they too have had this same experience with their vehicle. The parts are not available through anybody except the nissan dealerships which means there is no way to get a competative price. In order to get the light to shut off once my mechanic has replaced the parts I will then be forced to take the vehicle back to the dealership to pay them to shut it off. I was informed by the mechanic at the dealership that this problem would not effect the drivability of the vehicle that it was an emissions situation. Ultimately, the vehicle will not pass emissions inspections nor will it get decent gas mileage until this part is replaced.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10123679
Engine & cooling

NO SUMMARY

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 9001310
Engine & cooling

When the tempeture is below 35 degrees engine won't start. And dealer is unable to fix vehicle. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 855166
Engine & coolingFuel systemElectrical systemLights

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.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline · Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 717608
Engine & coolingFire

Defect in engine caused fire and destroyed the car. (Insurance agent representing client) yh

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 548026
Engine & cooling

When driving at any speed vehicle stalls without prior warning. Vehicle has been at dealers repaie shop eight times, and the dealer can't determine the problem. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 841173
Engine & cooling

OIL PRESSURE SWITCH FAILED. *YC

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 607491
Engine & coolingFire

Within 20-30 minutes of driving vehicle, the engine compartment ignited while the vehicle was parked in our driveway. The vehicle was totally destroyed by the fire.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 701584

Nissan Altima engine complaints by year

Altima engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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