The 1997 Nissan Maxima has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 161,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
27
8fires
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
5
2crashes4injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5
2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
5
4fires
AIR BAGS
4
2crashes2injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
3
ENGINE
2
2fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
1fires
Total complaints123
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE02034 Opened 2002-03-15 · closed 2002-07-22
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Nissan Maxima as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.