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1997 Nissan 2 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 14 owner complaints for the 1997 Nissan 2 Series. Most complaints involve air bags (3) and suspension (3).

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Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
14
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1997 Nissan 2 Series as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

14 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 1998 – Jul 2013
  1. Air bags3
  2. Suspension3
  3. Fuel system, gasoline2
  4. Tires2
  5. Equipment1
  6. Structure1
  7. Engine and engine cooling1
  8. Visibility1
  9. Exterior lighting1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 2 Series model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199614
199714
19981
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

3 reports2 crashes
“MY CAR (1997 NISSAN 240 SX) BEING DRIVEN BY MY SON WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY IMPACT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT YET THE LIGHT CAME ON SAYING THEY DID. IF THEY HAD MY SON MAY NOT HAVE SUFFERED FROM A SERIOUS CONCUSSION WHICH WE'RE ABOUT TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL THE 2ND TIME FOR NOR THE NECK SPRAIN THAT HE DID. I'VE E-MAILED NISSAN TO SEE IF I CAN GET AN ANSWER AS TO WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE LIGHT INDICATES THEY DID BUT I'VE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM YET. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2013Air bags, EquipmentCrash reportedODI 10532455

Suspension

3 reports
“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. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL, BUT MANAGED TO GRIP STEERING WHEEL AND SOFTLY PULL VEHICLE OVER AWAY FROM SPEEDING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE IS NOW GARAGED UNTIL MECHANIC CAN REPLACE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL SUSPENSION ARMS. I HAVE GOTTEN 2 MECHANICAL ESTIMATES BOTH TOTALING OVER $800.00. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT INCLUDING PERSONAL BODILY INJURY OR EVEN DEATH!!*AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2007SuspensionODI 10195525

Fuel system, gasoline

2 reports
“THERE IS A LEAK FROM THE TOP OF MY 1997 NISSAN 240SX'S FUEL TANK THAT SEEMED TO SPRING UP FOR NO APPARENT REASON. FROM WHAT I'VE RESEARCHED, THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM FOR OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND IS NOT EASILY FIXED. I AM PETITIONING FOR THIS TO BE A MANDATORY REPAIR FOR NISSAN, AS THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO FAULTY CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 12, 2011Fuel system, gasolineODI 10435317
All 1997 2 Series problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Nissan 2 Series as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 3810
05 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
07 —FAQ

1997 2 Series questions

How many recalls does the 1997 Nissan 2 Series have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 30, 2026.

What are the most common 1997 Nissan 2 Series problems?

Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (3), suspension (3), fuel system, gasoline (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026