AI Damage1997 Nissan Nissan: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Nissan Nissan filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 38% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 13% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 13% of all complaints
- 5 Tires 13% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 13% of all complaints
- Suspension: 3 complaints (38% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Tires: 1 complaints (13% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Gasoline leaking from vehicle at filler pile when tank was > 75% full.
1997 nissan pathfinder se rear suspension control arms needed to be a recall issued as this was a huge safety issue. Near fatal scare while on the freeway recently @ high rate of speed 65 mph when the car began to sway violently left to right.
Tl*- in may 2004 the contact received a 1997 nissan pathfinder as a gift, it had an odometer reading of 90000 at the time. The vehicle began to wobble while traveling at 65 to 70 mph soon after it was purchased.
Driving slowly in pathfinder 4x4 '97 hit pot hole. Spot welds on frame to inner fender broke loose. One foot long seam split 3 inches wide viewed from the left front strut. Cost $1,500 to weld and brace. Professional said pathfinders notorious for this weakness.
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.
Suspension causing vehicle to sway violently when going 50mph. I took my suv into the shop and was informed that there was nothing wrong with my vehicle. Then I took my vehicle into another shop and they found the problem.
Pushed the switch to rolled down the passenger and drive side automatic windows. Smoke started coming out of the switch assembly. Pull over on the side the road and turned off the car. Ran up to the guard gate and obtained a fire exterisher.
Tires failed due to loss of tread resulting in accident during inclement weather.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,896 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Nissan has 7 complaints (16 years in the data). This year has 8, about average.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Nissan Nissan?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: suspension, engine and cooling, fuel system. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rollaway, parking brake (13%), smoke, burning smell, fire (13%), warning lights, check engine (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Nissan Nissan?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1997 Nissan Nissan from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1997 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.