1997 Nissan MAXIMA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
87 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
85,696 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 87 complaints (29.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 13.8% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 8.0% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 6.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 26 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 26; Electrical System: 5; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 5; Air Bags: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Engine: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 57 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 16 |
| 2003 | 15 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 8; 2001: 11; 2002: 16; 2003: 15; 2004: 13; 2005: 8; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001272 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
FOG LIGHTS, BELTS, TRUNK RELEASE, ALTERNATOR, ELECTRICAL WIRING, AND BATTERY. THE CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE NEW FOG LIGHT INSTALLED BECAUSE THE OLD ONES HAD BROWN MOISTURE IN THE LIGHT. THE TRUNK RELEASE STOPPED WORKING AND AS A RESULT THE TRUNK COULD ONLY BE OPENED WITH THE KEY. THE VEHICLE'S ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEMS. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE ALTERNATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AGAIN BUT REFUSED TO …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001272 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002750 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)
FAILURE OF REAR O2 SENSOR THREE TIMES OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003872 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL UNDERHOOD/ENGINE/ALTERNATOR PROBLEMS. RECALL# 02V171000 SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003872 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003948 · 2003-01-29 (January 29, 2003)
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, AND THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION.*JB PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005596 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
CAR INITIALLY HAD TROUBLE STARTING. THE CAR LATER WOULD NOT START AT ALL; TOWED TO SERICE DEALER. I ALSO NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION. IT IS MAKING A NOISE WITH EACH BUMP IN THE ROAD OR WHEN A LEFT TURN IN MADE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005596 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007158 · 2002-11-05 (November 5, 2002)
FAULTY PART SEEMS TO BE THE VENT CONTROL VALVE TO THE EVAP CANISTER, BUT ODB-II RESULTS IN MANY FAULTY CODES. DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SYSTEM (APPROX. $500.00) SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS CAR ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****769313
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007158 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008978 · 2003-02-21 (February 21, 2003)
THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL SMELL THAT ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. *JB THE HEAVY GAS SMELL WOULD FILL THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, AND WITHOUT A/C ON. THE REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008978 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015841 · 2003-04-14 (April 14, 2003)
THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR CAME OFF THE HINGE, AND FELL ONTO THE HIGHWAY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015841 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V171000 · Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Reported: 2002-06-24 (June 24, 2002)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ONE OF THE DIODES USED IN THE ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHEN BUILT. THIS CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE DIODE AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD MELT THE PLASTIC HOUSING.
Consequence: 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 FAN GUIDE IN THE ALTERNATOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
NHTSA campaign record ↗