IllustrationSMOKE NOTICED FROM UNDERHOOD WHILE VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE. FIRE INSIDE ALTERNATOR-PUT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Maxima years →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
20–25K
125–50K
650–75K
1175–100K
10100–150K
0150K+
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
What owners actually said
102 reportsALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING-AFTER STARTING CAR IN SHOP-ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE. SECOND 1997 MAXIMA WE HAVE WITNESS WITH THIS CONDITION-WILL SEND FILL OUT SEPERATE FORM ON OTHER CAR ALSO.*AK
FILED A DEFECTIVE WORKMANSHIP CLAIM WITH NISSAN. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
ON TWO OCCASIONS THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE DEALER CLEARDED THE MEMORY AND RESET THE SYSTEM, THE PROBLEM REOCCURED AND THE DEALER PERFORMED THE SAME REPAIR EXCEPT THIS TIME THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD HAD BEEN COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. NLM
ALTERNATOR JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE, MECHANIC DOES NOT KNOW WHY. THERE WAS NO WARNING, I DROVE FROM THE 6TH FLOOR TO THE 3RD FLOOR OF THE PARKING GARAGE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, SMELLED SMOKE LIFTED UP THE HOOD NOTICED THE ORANGE AND RED FLAMES. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO CONCORD NISSAN WAS TOLD THAT THE ALTERNATOR HAD CAUGHT FIRE & BURNED …
Read full complaint
ALTERNATOR JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE, MECHANIC DOES NOT KNOW WHY. THERE WAS NO WARNING, I DROVE FROM THE 6TH FLOOR TO THE 3RD FLOOR OF THE PARKING GARAGE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, SMELLED SMOKE LIFTED UP THE HOOD NOTICED THE ORANGE AND RED FLAMES. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO CONCORD NISSAN WAS TOLD THAT THE ALTERNATOR HAD CAUGHT FIRE & BURNED THE WIRING HARNESS AND FAN BELT. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT NISSAN THERE IS NO KNOWN CAUSE FOR THIS INCIDENT.
THE GAS HOOD SHOCKS FAILED CAUSING THE HOOD TO CRASHING DOWN AFTER THE HOOD WAS OPENED. NLM
DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT EXTEND;SEEMS LOCKED. *AK
THIS REPRESENTS VERY EARLY FAILURE OF THE COMPONENTS. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK
SMELLED SMOKE IMMEDIATLY AFTER STARTING CAR TURNED CAR OFF,INVESTIGATED AND SAW 3INCH FLAME EMITTING FROM ALTERNATOR NO WORK EVER DONE WITH ALTERNATOR IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM CONTACTED MANU. UNRESOLVED AS OF THIS TIME COMPLETE FAILURE RESULTED IMMEDIATLY. *AK
THE LEFT AND RIGHT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE DEFECTIVE. *SLC
Official recalls
102V171000 · 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
1PE02034 · Alternator Fires
Opened Mar 15, 2002 · Closed Jul 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
No summary supplied.