1997 Nissan Maxima: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 102 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (35% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2018
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2013
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2011
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2011
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2011
“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”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2010
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2008
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2008
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled however it would restart. This had occurred since the vehicle was purchased. It was taken to a dealer who could not determine the cause of the problem. There have been several repairs to the vehicle including the replacement of three oxygen sensors, the alternator and starter. There was a recall #02v171000 pertaining to the electrical system. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 12/15/06. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
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 NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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.
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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
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.
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.
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.
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 THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
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.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Maxima by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Nissan Maxima reliable?
NHTSA has 102 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Nissan Maxima. The most complained-about area is electrical system (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Nissan Maxima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,696 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Nissan Maxima have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.