1997 Nissan Maxima
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1982 | 4 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 30 |
| 1985 | 54 |
| 1986 | 63 |
| 1987 | 178 |
| 1988 | 60 |
| 1989 | 64 |
| 1990 | 106 |
| 1991 | 77 |
| 1992 | 110 |
| 1993 | 78 |
| 1994 | 89 |
| 1995 | 152 |
| 1996 | 96 |
| 1997 | 102 |
| 1998 | 113 |
| 1999 | 165 |
| 2000 | 360 |
| 2001 | 172 |
| 2002 | 205 |
| 2003 | 206 |
| 2004 | 1425 |
| 2005 | 948 |
| 2006 | 576 |
| 2007 | 129 |
| 2008 | 78 |
| 2009 | 339 |
| 2010 | 275 |
| 2011 | 106 |
| 2012 | 107 |
| 2013 | 62 |
| 2014 | 96 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 142 |
| 2017 | 103 |
| 2018 | 36 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
40% of complaints: electrical system — 41 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and front underhood.
FIREShow 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, 20140917
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, 20020906
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
NHTSA ODI report, 20120620
12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing emission control and gasoline.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ENGINE BURST INTO FALMES WITHOUT ANY APPARENT REASON.
NHTSA ODI report, 20021211
10% of complaints: air bags — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.
CRASH INJURYShow 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. *NLM
NHTSA ODI report, 20030519
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, 20001025
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, 19990726
9% of complaints: suspension — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wheel bearing and front.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE FRONT WHEEL LOCKUP, CAUSING EXTENSIVE UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE, SUCH AS STRUDS/CONTROL ARM, ETC. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19970421
8% of complaints: service brakes — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.
FIREShow 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, 20181231
Also filed under ENGINE
SAFETY TIMELINE
ALTERNATOR FIRES
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 T
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
Campaign 02V171000 — check if this car was fixed
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 S
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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
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 N
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.
Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed
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 WITH
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.
Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1997 Nissan Maxima — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (41 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 02V171000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
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WORST 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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.