no report yet
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk. IF THE COMBUSTIBLE GAS EMITTED BY THE MELTING PLASTIC DOES NOT DISPERSE DUE TO AIR FLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT COULD IGNITE AND IN TURN IGNITE THE…
1997 Nissan MaximaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 102 owner complaints about the 1997 Nissan Maxima, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 31, 2018. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Nissan Maxima has problems
102 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
39Electrical system14 crash/fire/injury
12Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
10Air bags6 crash/fire/injury
7Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
7Structure1 crash/fire/injury
6Steering
5Service brakes, hydraulic
4Fuel system, gasoline
4Latches/locks/linkages
2011 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 39 | 14 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 12 | 1 |
| Air bags | 10 | 6 |
| Suspension | 7 | 1 |
| Structure | 7 | 1 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 4 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 4 | 1 |
| 11 other systems | 20 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
1997 Nissan Maxima recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.
Best & worst years
1997 vs. every other Maxima year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Maxima median. How we score
'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1997 Nissan Maxima safety ratings
1997 Nissan Maxima 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1997 Nissan Maxima, and the recalls they led to.
- ALTERNATOR FIRESLed to recall 02V-171
In owners' words
What Maxima owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
1997 NISSAN MAXIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BECAUSE HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS OTHER NISSAN'S THAT WERE RECALLED. *JB
IN THE BEGINNING I NOTICED IT TOOK ME A COUPLE TIMES TO START VEHICLE AND IT WOULD LOOSE POWER AT CERTAIN STOPS OR WHEN I SLOWED DOWN OR CAME TO A STOP. AND AS TIME I FELT IT JERK AND PULL AT TIMES WHEN I WAS NOT DRIVING TOO FAST THIS CONTINUED AND THEN IT WAS ONE DAY THAT IT DOES NOT WANT TO START…
Own a 1997 Maxima?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.