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1997 Nissan Maxima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Nissan Maxima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 99.

About this comparison →
102Owner complaints

Model-year median: 99

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
89
1994152
199596
1996102
1997113
1998165
1999360
2000
Compare all Maxima years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
39Engine And Engine Cooling
12Air Bags
10Structure
7Suspension
7
All reported categories
Steering
6Service Brakes, Hydraulic
5Fuel System, Gasoline
4Latches/locks/linkages
4Power Train
4Vehicle Speed Control
3Engine
2Equipment
2Tires
2Visibility
2Exterior Lighting
1Parking Brake
1Seat Belts
1Seats
1Service Brakes
1Unknown Or Other
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

30 reports with mileage · 72 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports16 fire reports6 injury reports

Parking Brake complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
98,750 miles · May 21, 2004
Parking Brake

I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT THE MAINTENANCE CURRENT ON MY CAR ON A REGULAR BASIS. OVER THE PAST MONTH I HAVE STARTED HEARING A NOISE FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR. AFTER HAVING IT LOOKED AT BY THE LOCAL DEALER I WAS INFORMED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PARKING BRAKE NOT RELEASING AND ALLOWING THE TIRE TO TURN FREELY. THE DEALER INFORMED ME …

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I HAVE ALWAYS KEPT THE MAINTENANCE CURRENT ON MY CAR ON A REGULAR BASIS. OVER THE PAST MONTH I HAVE STARTED HEARING A NOISE FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR. AFTER HAVING IT LOOKED AT BY THE LOCAL DEALER I WAS INFORMED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PARKING BRAKE NOT RELEASING AND ALLOWING THE TIRE TO TURN FREELY. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT A MEMO FROM NISSAN WAS RECENTLY RECEIVED STATING THIS HAS BECOME A KNOWN PROBLEM. NOW I AM BEING TOLD MY CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10072953

Official recalls

1

02V171000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Jun 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE02034 · Alternator Fires

Opened Mar 15, 2002 · Closed Jul 22, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

No summary supplied.