MYRModel Year Report

1997 Nissan Maxima

● Typical for this model
1997 Nissan Maxima
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:52:01.137Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
102
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

40% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1985: 54 complaints 1986: 63 complaints 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 110 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1997: 102 complaints 1997 102 1998: 113 complaints 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 1,425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2016: 142 complaints 2017: 106 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2021: 3 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 1 complaint
1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1985: 54 complaints 1985 1986: 63 complaints 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1991 1992: 110 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1997: 102 complaints 1997 102 1998: 113 complaints 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2000 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2003 2004: 1,425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2009 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2015 2016: 142 complaints 2017: 106 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2021: 3 complaints 2021 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 1 complaint
1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1984 1985: 54 complaints 1986: 63 complaints 1986 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1990 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 110 complaints 1992 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1997: 102 complaints 1997 102 1998: 113 complaints 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2000 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2002 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 1,425 complaints 2004 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2008 2009: 339 complaints 2010: 275 complaints 2010 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2014 2015: 1 complaint 2016: 142 complaints 2016 2017: 106 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2020 2021: 3 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2022 2023: 1 complaint

1997: 102 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19824
19835
198430
198554
198663
1987178
198860
198964
1990106
199177
1992110
199378
199489
1995152
199696
1997102
1998113
1999165
2000360
2001172
2002205
2003206
20041,425
2005948
2006576
2007129
200879
2009339
2010275
2011106
2012107
201362
201496
20151
2016142
2017106
201836
201918
202021
20213
20225
20231

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

40% · 41 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and front underhood.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-09-17

Also filed under Engine

Car was parked in driveway for about 1 hour before fire started, or was noticed. Fire dept. Suspected electrical problem. I found recall on web, which I had not been notified of!!!! Poor work on notification Nissan!

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-06

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-20

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing emission control and gasoline.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer's vehicle engine burst into falmes without any apparent reason.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-11

Air bags

10% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle was hit at 25 MPH in the front center but the air bags did not deploy which caused minor injuries to the consumer.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-19

Vehicle stopped in traffic. I was hit in the rear by a 2000 Ford F150 truck. I was propelled forward, then back into the seat, the seat back collapsed. I sustained neck, shoulder, back, hip and knee injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2000-10-25

Travreling 45MPH when another vehicle was making a turn in front, consumer's vehicle swerved to avoid hitting the other vehicle. Instead, hit vehicle on driver's side then on passenger's side.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-07-26

Suspension

9% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing wheel bearing and front.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

While driving the vehicle experienced premature front wheel lockup, causing extensive undercarriage damage, such as struds/control arm, etc.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-04-21

Service brakes

8% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-12-31

Also filed under Engine

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2002-03-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-07-22 Alternator fires
  2. R
    2002-07-29Electrical system02V171000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Nissan Maxima — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 41 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V171000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Nissan Maxima is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Nissan Maxima?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Nissan Maxima have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.