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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.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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

Structure complaints

7 reports
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118,000 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Structure

LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT WHICH SUPPORTS RADIATOR AND FRONT ENGINE MOUNT, RUSTS COMPLETELY THROUGH. COMMON PROBLEM (ACCORDING TO VARIOUS ON-LINE SOURCES) FROM 1995-2001 MAXIMA MODELS DRIVEN IN THE SALT BELT STATES. REPAIR CAN BE EXTENSIVE TO REPLACE ENTIRE FRONT RADIATOR ENGINE FRAME STRUCTURE. SOME SHOPS ARE REPLACING ROTTED SECTI…

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LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT WHICH SUPPORTS RADIATOR AND FRONT ENGINE MOUNT, RUSTS COMPLETELY THROUGH. COMMON PROBLEM (ACCORDING TO VARIOUS ON-LINE SOURCES) FROM 1995-2001 MAXIMA MODELS DRIVEN IN THE SALT BELT STATES. REPAIR CAN BE EXTENSIVE TO REPLACE ENTIRE FRONT RADIATOR ENGINE FRAME STRUCTURE. SOME SHOPS ARE REPLACING ROTTED SECTION WITH A PIECE OF ANGLE IRON AND DRILLING HOLES TO REMOUNT FRONT ENGINE MOUNT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10348360

80,500 miles · Jun 8, 2005
Structure

DT: CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER IS UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE DUE TO FACT THAT VEHICLE WASI NOT DESIGNED PROPERLY, VEHCILE DOES NOT COMFORTABLY FIT A PERSON OF AT LEAST 6 FOOT TALL, CONSUMER BELIEVES THERE SHOULD BE A WARNING LABEL ADVISING PERSONS OF AT LEAST 6 FOOT IN HEIGHT NOT TO PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE, VEHICLE IS UN-SAFE TO DRIVE FOR A…

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DT: CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER IS UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE DUE TO FACT THAT VEHICLE WASI NOT DESIGNED PROPERLY, VEHCILE DOES NOT COMFORTABLY FIT A PERSON OF AT LEAST 6 FOOT TALL, CONSUMER BELIEVES THERE SHOULD BE A WARNING LABEL ADVISING PERSONS OF AT LEAST 6 FOOT IN HEIGHT NOT TO PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE, VEHICLE IS UN-SAFE TO DRIVE FOR A PERSON OF THIS HEIGHT TO DRIVE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10124612

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2004
Structure

VEHICLE DAMAGED AT NISSAN SERVICE.*MR WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND AN OIL CHANGE, A SERVICE EMPLOYEE DAMAGED THE FRONT BUMPER. AFTER NOTICING THE DAMAGE TWO DAYS LATER, CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPT. ONCE THERE, THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REPAIRS TO …

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VEHICLE DAMAGED AT NISSAN SERVICE.*MR WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND AN OIL CHANGE, A SERVICE EMPLOYEE DAMAGED THE FRONT BUMPER. AFTER NOTICING THE DAMAGE TWO DAYS LATER, CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPT. ONCE THERE, THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE MADE BY THEIR SUB CONTRACTOR. WHILE IN THE CARE OF THE SUB CONTRACTORS, THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WAS STOLEN. THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER RECTIFIED THAT PROBLEM ALSO.

NHTSA ODI #10091783

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2003
Structure

THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR CAME OFF THE HINGE, AND FELL ONTO THE HIGHWAY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10015841

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2002
StructureInjury

WHILE I WAS CHECKING WASHER FLUID UNDER THE HOOD, THE HOOD SLAMMED DOWN ON MY HAND CAUSING SEVERE INJURY WHICH REQUIRED EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT : X-RAYS, TEN STITCHES TO ONE FINGER, ABRASIONS AND CONCUSSIONS. I NEEDED A TETNUS SHOT, ANTIBIOTICS, PAIN KILLERS AND HAND WAS SPLINTED. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HE SAID IT WAS A COMM…

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WHILE I WAS CHECKING WASHER FLUID UNDER THE HOOD, THE HOOD SLAMMED DOWN ON MY HAND CAUSING SEVERE INJURY WHICH REQUIRED EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT : X-RAYS, TEN STITCHES TO ONE FINGER, ABRASIONS AND CONCUSSIONS. I NEEDED A TETNUS SHOT, ANTIBIOTICS, PAIN KILLERS AND HAND WAS SPLINTED. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HE SAID IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE AND THE MEN IN HIS SHOP ARE REQUIRED TO USE A ROD TO SUPPORT THE HOOD BECAUSE OF KNOWN FAILURES. MY CAR DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A ROD TO SUPPORT THE HOOD. THEIR ARE NO CAUTION SIGNS ON THE AUTO NOR IN THE VEHICLES MANUAL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #762898

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2001
Structure

THE GAS HOOD SHOCKS FAILED CAUSING THE HOOD TO CRASHING DOWN AFTER THE HOOD WAS OPENED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #560207

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2000
Structure

HOOD STRUTS BEGAN TO LEAK AND FULLY FAILED WITHIN 3 MONTHS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #725301

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.