1997 Nissan Maxima recalls
Problem: 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.
Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
42,540 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: 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.
Risk: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
16,270 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: 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."
Risk: Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
1,921 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: 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.
Risk: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Fix: 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.
27,176 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: 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.
Risk: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Fix: 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.
61,944 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
161,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Latest owner complaints
Engine · Dec 31, 2018 · 138,000 miles · NY · fire
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…
Service Brakes · Dec 31, 2018 · 138,000 miles · NY · fire
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…
Engine · Sep 17, 2014 · NC · fire
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…
Electrical System · Sep 17, 2014 · NC · fire
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…
Electrical System · Jun 20, 2012 · FL
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
Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 21, 2011 · 20,000 miles · CA
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…
Electrical System · Sep 21, 2011 · 20,000 miles · CA
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…
Engine and Engine Cooling · Sep 21, 2011 · 20,000 miles · CA
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…
Engine and Engine Cooling · Jun 1, 2011 · IL
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…
Exterior Lighting · Feb 12, 2011 · 70,000 miles · CA
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…
Structure · Aug 9, 2010 · 118,000 miles · MA
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…
Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 12, 2010 · 135,000 miles · WA
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
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1997 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls covering the 1997 Nissan Maxima, the most recent one (09E025000) for exterior lighting. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Nissan Maxima?
Based on 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are electrical system (41), engine and engine cooling (12), air bags (11).
Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 1997 Nissan Maxima?
Owners reported 7 crashes, 16 fires, 9 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.
Is NHTSA investigating the 1997 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation that include this vehicle, most recently PE02034: Alternator fires.