Total Complaints
123 filings
NISSAN MAXIMA · model year
123 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997NISSANMAXIMA carries 123 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 19 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 MAXIMA is electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator with 27 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (5) and electrical system:wiring:front underhood (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 1997 MAXIMA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
123 filings
Crashes Reported
8 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 27 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 5 |
| AIR BAGS | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 3 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING | 2 |
ABS LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES. THEN SOLID BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR GAVE OFF A STRANGE SMELL. TURNED OFF CAR. PARKED CAR IN THE STREET. 2 HOURS LATER THE POLICE ALERTED US THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE ENGINE BAY WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. VIDEO OF THE FIRE WAS CAPTURED ON MY RING DOORBELL.
Mileage: 138,000
ABS LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES. THEN SOLID BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR GAVE OFF A STRANGE SMELL. TURNED OFF CAR. PARKED CAR IN THE STREET. 2 HOURS LATER THE POLICE ALERTED US THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE ENGINE BAY WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. VIDEO OF THE FIRE WAS CAPTURED ON MY RING DOORBELL.
Mileage: 138,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
1997 NISSAN MAXIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BECAUSE HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS OTHER NISSAN'S THAT WERE RECALLED. *JB
IN THE BEGINNING I NOTICED IT TOOK ME A COUPLE TIMES TO START VEHICLE AND IT WOULD LOOSE POWER AT CERTAIN STOPS OR WHEN I SLOWED DOWN OR CAME TO A STOP. AND AS TIME I FELT IT JERK AND PULL AT TIMES WHEN I WAS NOT DRIVING TOO FAST THIS CONTINUED AND THEN IT WAS ONE DAY THAT IT DOES NOT WANT TO START UP, NEW STARTER, NEW BATTERY, TUNE UP AND IT JUST WONT START. I AM JUST WAITING TO SEE IF THEY FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR
Mileage: 20,000
IN THE BEGINNING I NOTICED IT TOOK ME A COUPLE TIMES TO START VEHICLE AND IT WOULD LOOSE POWER AT CERTAIN STOPS OR WHEN I SLOWED DOWN OR CAME TO A STOP. AND AS TIME I FELT IT JERK AND PULL AT TIMES WHEN I WAS NOT DRIVING TOO FAST THIS CONTINUED AND THEN IT WAS ONE DAY THAT IT DOES NOT WANT TO START UP, NEW STARTER, NEW BATTERY, TUNE UP AND IT JUST WONT START. I AM JUST WAITING TO SEE IF THEY FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR
Mileage: 20,000
IN THE BEGINNING I NOTICED IT TOOK ME A COUPLE TIMES TO START VEHICLE AND IT WOULD LOOSE POWER AT CERTAIN STOPS OR WHEN I SLOWED DOWN OR CAME TO A STOP. AND AS TIME I FELT IT JERK AND PULL AT TIMES WHEN I WAS NOT DRIVING TOO FAST THIS CONTINUED AND THEN IT WAS ONE DAY THAT IT DOES NOT WANT TO START UP, NEW STARTER, NEW BATTERY, TUNE UP AND IT JUST WONT START. I AM JUST WAITING TO SEE IF THEY FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR
Mileage: 20,000
THE LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT FOR THE 1995-1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR, CONDENSER, AND THE ENGINE SUPPORT BEAM. THE LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT STARTS TO RUST FROM THE INSIDE OF THE BEAM AND EVENTUALLY RUSTS ALL THE WAY OUT CAUSING THE RADIATOR AND THE CONDENSER TO HANG LOWER AND THE ENGINE TO HANG WITH LIMITED SUPPORT. WITHOUT THE LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT, THE ENGINE SUPPORT BEAM HITS OFF THE GROUND DURING NORMAL DRIVING. *TR
VEHICLE HEADLAMPS AND TAILLIGHT IF IN THE DIRECT SUN THEY FOG IN ABOUT 2-3 YEARS, VISIBILITY DROPS MORE THAN 50% IT CERTAINLY EFFECTS SAFETY AND NO LONG MEET STRICT DOT REQUIREMENTS. THE GLASS TYPE WAS PERFECTLY SUITABLE BEFORE. IF YOU NOTICE THERE IS NOW A BIG BUSINESS POLISHING LENSES. PLS START A CLASS ACTION AGAINST THE MFGS. ASK ANYONE. CHECK ANY VEHICLE OVER 5 YEARS OLD AND YOU SEE. *TR
Mileage: 70,000
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
Mileage: 118,000
1997 NISSAN MAXIMA SE - CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING EITHER UNWANTED ACCELERATION OR UNWANTED DECELERATION. HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITH DIFFERENT DRIVERS TO THE POINT WE NO LONGER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE IN THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. *TR
Mileage: 135,000
I NEEDED TO REPLACE A MUFFLER ON MY 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA. ON 092209 I TOOK MY MAXIMA TO A MUFFLER SHOP, THE MECHANIC NOTICED A VERY STRONG RAWFUEL SMELL. HE SAID HE COULD NOT USE A FLAME TORCH DUE TO A POSSIBLE EXPLOSION. HE REPLACED THE MUFFLER BY HAND AND TOLD ME TO HAVE THE FUEL SYSTEM INSPECTED BECAUSE THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. ON 092609 I HAD THE FUEL SYSTEM INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, HE DISCOVERED THAT FUMES AND POSSIBLY GAS WERE ESCAPING FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK AND TUBE BECAUSE OF CORROSION WITHIN THE WHEEL BASE. I HAVE TRIED TO LOCATE REPLACEMENT PARTS FROM 3 SALVAGED VEHICLES AND EACH WERE ALSO CORRODED. NEW PARTS HAVE BEEN HARD TO LOCATED AND REMAIN UNCERTAIN AS TO WHETHER THEY WILL FIT. *TR
Mileage: 93,000
I NEEDED TO REPLACE A MUFFLER ON MY 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA. ON 092209 I TOOK MY MAXIMA TO A MUFFLER SHOP, THE MECHANIC NOTICED A VERY STRONG RAWFUEL SMELL. HE SAID HE COULD NOT USE A FLAME TORCH DUE TO A POSSIBLE EXPLOSION. HE REPLACED THE MUFFLER BY HAND AND TOLD ME TO HAVE THE FUEL SYSTEM INSPECTED BECAUSE THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. ON 092609 I HAD THE FUEL SYSTEM INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, HE DISCOVERED THAT FUMES AND POSSIBLY GAS WERE ESCAPING FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK AND TUBE BECAUSE OF CORROSION WITHIN THE WHEEL BASE. I HAVE TRIED TO LOCATE REPLACEMENT PARTS FROM 3 SALVAGED VEHICLES AND EACH WERE ALSO CORRODED. NEW PARTS HAVE BEEN HARD TO LOCATED AND REMAIN UNCERTAIN AS TO WHETHER THEY WILL FIT. *TR
Mileage: 93,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS ACTIVATES ON ITS OWN SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER SPECULATED THAT DIRT OR MUD ENTERS THROUGH THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND CAUSES THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CLEANED THE COMPONENT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE REMEDY. THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 07/08/09 *BF UPDATED 07/08/09.*JB
MY 1997 MAXIMA HAS HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PERIODICALLY COME ON FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS. THE OBD CODE IS FOR THE SPEED SENSOR (P0500), I HAVE THE SPEEDOMETER DROP TO ZERO OCCASIONALLY AND BELIEVE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CIRCUIT. I HAVE CHANGED THE SENSOR FOUR TIMES AND THE PROBLEM ALWAYS RETURNS. TESTING THE SENSOR SHOWS IT IS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED, I RESET THE CODE AND IT EVENTUALLY RETURNS TO NORMAL AND I CAN PASS THE EMISSION TEST. THIS YEAR, I HAVE INCOMPLETE CODES FOR EGR AND CATALYST MONITOR. THERE ARE NO CODES PENDING AND I CHECK THE STATUS DAILY. I HAVE ABOUT 500 MILES ON THE CAR SINCE THE CODE RESET AND IT CONTINUES TO REGISTER INCOMPLETE. I AM AFRAID THAT I AM GOING TO GET FINED FOR THE EXPIRED INSPECTION. ARE THERE ANY KNOWN ISSUES RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM? *TR
Mileage: 100,000
IT ALL STARTED WITH THE NOISES FROM THE EXHAUST. SO I FIXED THE FLEX PIPE AND NO MORE NOISE, THE MECHANIC SAID IT'S A COMMON MAXIMA PROBLEM. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SO I FIXED THE O2 SENSOR AND THE KNOCK SENSOR, THE MECHANIC SAID IT'S A COMMON MAXIMA PROBLEM. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE INSPECTION STATION A FEW DAYS LATER AND THE LIGHT CAME ON. THE KNOCK SENSOR CODE CAME ON, THE O2 SENSOR, THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR, THERE WAS AN EGR MALFUNCTION, A SERIAL A/T LINK COMMUNICATION MALFUNCTION AND POSSIBLY OTHER CODES I CANNOT RECALL RIGHT NOW. THE MECHANIC SAID IT'S ALL COMMON MAXIMA PROBLEMS. I'VE SPENT SO FAR AT LEAST $800 AND THE CAR IS STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY, AND I CANNOT PASS INSPECTION. *TR
Mileage: 135,000
IT ALL STARTED WITH THE NOISES FROM THE EXHAUST. SO I FIXED THE FLEX PIPE AND NO MORE NOISE, THE MECHANIC SAID IT'S A COMMON MAXIMA PROBLEM. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SO I FIXED THE O2 SENSOR AND THE KNOCK SENSOR, THE MECHANIC SAID IT'S A COMMON MAXIMA PROBLEM. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE INSPECTION STATION A FEW DAYS LATER AND THE LIGHT CAME ON. THE KNOCK SENSOR CODE CAME ON, THE O2 SENSOR, THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR, THERE WAS AN EGR MALFUNCTION, A SERIAL A/T LINK COMMUNICATION MALFUNCTION AND POSSIBLY OTHER CODES I CANNOT RECALL RIGHT NOW. THE MECHANIC SAID IT'S ALL COMMON MAXIMA PROBLEMS. I'VE SPENT SO FAR AT LEAST $800 AND THE CAR IS STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY, AND I CANNOT PASS INSPECTION. *TR
Mileage: 135,000
I OWN A 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA GLE. IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS I HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR TWICE, THE STARTER AND THE BATTERY TWICE. SOMETHING IS DEFECTIVE WITH THE CHARGING SYSTEM. THE BATTERY LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON REPEATEDLY ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR TRAVELS MORE THAN 10-20 MILES. I HAVE HAD THE CAR STALL OUT WITH A DEAD BATTERY 5 TIMES AND EACH TIME I HAVE HAD TO HAVE A JUMP START OR CHANGE THE BATTERY ONCE. SOMETHING IS DRAINING THE SYSTEM. *TR
Mileage: 119,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND FAILS TO RESTART IN A TIMELY FASHION. THE FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, STARTER, AND SENSORS. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 134,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Mileage: 75,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.