Model year record

1997 Nissan Maxima

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 123 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V171000

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Component
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
161,000
Reported to NHTSA
2002-06-24
Owners notified
2002-07-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2794,000 mi
Air bags: frontal5
Electrical system5100,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood583,000 mi
Air bags4
Engine and engine cooling494,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline370,000 mi
Engine2138,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine275,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control224,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch2
Power train: automatic transmission2135,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Steering: rack and pinion2
Suspension2
Suspension: front2
Suspension: front: wheel bearing2
Vehicle speed control220,000 mi
Visibility: windshield280,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module164,139 mi
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: wiring1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe193,000 mi
Exterior lighting170,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable198,750 mi
Power train: manual transmission185,892 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seats1
Service brakes1138,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc152,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper152,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum152,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Steering1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Steering: rack and pinion: rack175,673 mi
Structure: body180,500 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut1
Structure: body: hood1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1
Structure: frame and members1118,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm132,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Suspension: rear: springs1
Tires1
Tires: sidewall1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control185,892 mi

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.