1997 Nissan Maxima problems
Owners have filed 123 complaints about the 1997 Nissan Maxima with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 33.3% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 9.8%.
Complaints123
Crashes8
Fires19
Injuries9
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 33.3% · 41
Engine and engine cooling 9.8% · 12
Air bags 8.9% · 11
Suspension 7.3% · 9
Structure 5.7% · 7
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.7% · 7
Steering 4.9% · 6
Power train 4.1% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 8 describe a crash, 19 describe a fire and 9 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 24 model years of the Nissan Maxima in this data, 1997 draws comparatively few complaints; 2004 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 10 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 85,892 miles.
In owners' own words
Consumer received recall 02v171000 concerning alternator. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, and mechanic replaced the alternator. While driving 55 mph consumer noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the aternator needed to be replaced. Electrical system
Fax ltr fm georgia chester (CA) request re-start of a 2002 recall on the 1997 Nissan Maxima, her Maxima caught on fire, reply attn maria cobian/oxnard, a district office, es have no rec of previous corr. Fm ms. Chester. *Ph the consumer er's vehicle was not covered under recall 02v-171 because it was produced prior to february 13, 1997, when Nissan began to use the defective alternators. Electrical system
My wife backed the car out of the garage and noticed a burning smell. She turned off the engine and got me. When I opened the hood there was smoke and a burning smell. The alternator had started to burn as well as the wiring harness. This issue was covered by nhtsa campaign id 02v171000, but Nissan says my vin was not among those affected and my car is not covered by the recall. Electrical system · reported at 103,565 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…