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1997 Nissan Altima GLE Auto

The 1997 Nissan Altima GLE Auto is a 150-hp 2.4-liter inline-4 sedan with a 4-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission w/od and front-wheel drive. It starts at $20,999 MSRP and is rated at 21 mpg combined.

It makes 150 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 154 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (21 mpg combined).

The Altima measures 180.5 inches long on a 103.1-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,990 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$20,999 ($42,521 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.4L I4 (KA24DE)
Displacement2.4 L
Horsepower150 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Torque154 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC
Injection TypeSequential fuel injection (SFI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission4-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission w/OD
1st Gear2.79
2nd Gear1.55
3rd Gear1
4th Gear0.69
Reverse2.27
Final Drive3.62
Fuel Economy
City18 MPG
Highway26 MPG
Combined21 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Tank Capacity15.9 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent strut
Rear SuspensionIndependent strut
Front Stabilizer Bar0.83 in
Rear Stabilizer Bar0.59 in
Turning Diameter37.4 ft
Brakes
Front Brake Disc10.9 x 0.87 in
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front15x6.0 in (Aluminum)
Wheels Rear15x6.0 in (Aluminum)
Tires FrontP205/60R15
Tires RearP205/60R15
Dimensions & Weight
Length180.5 in
Width67.1 in
Height55.9 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Front Track57.7 in
Rear Track57.3 in
Ground Clearance4.6 in
Cargo Volume14 ft³
Curb Weight2,990 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front39.3 in
Headroom Rear37.6 in
Legroom Front42.6 in
Legroom Rear34.7 in
Shoulder Room Front54.8 in
Shoulder Room Rear54 in
Hip Room Front52.8 in
Hip Room Rear52.4 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Similar cars

Rivals to the 1997 Nissan Altima GLE Auto with similar size, power and price from around the same years.

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1997 Nissan Altima 4-DR.

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1997 Nissan ALTIMA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Feb 11, 2010 · SUSPENSION

RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.

Consequence: THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.

NHTSA campaign 10E002000

Mar 23, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

NHTSA campaign 06E026000

Oct 10, 1996 · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

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."

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.

NHTSA campaign 96V185000

115 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1997 Nissan ALTIMA

Owner Complaints

115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Nissan ALTIMA (31 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 18 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Air Bags35
Electrical System14
Suspension10
Service Brakes9
Structure9
Unknown Or Other9
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jan 24, 2020 · Air Bags Crash 1 injury
“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…”
Dec 20, 2016 · Suspension, Structure, Unknown Or Other
“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”
Nov 3, 2016 · Electrical System, Vehicle Speed Control, Unknown Or Other
“VEHICLE I MISSING AND I HAD TO FILE A POLICE REPORT FOR A STOLEN VEHICLE.”
Aug 24, 2016 · Electrical System, Air Bags, Seat Belts
“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”
Feb 12, 2016 · Service Brakes Crash 1 injury
“WHILE SLOWING DOWN & APPLIED BRAKES AT A STOP SIGN, THE CAR INSTEAD SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CROSSING FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC AND ULTIMATELY SLAMMING INTO A TREE.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1997 NISSAN ALTIMA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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