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Model Year Problem Record

Nissan Maxima 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Nissan Maxima: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

102Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
1Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
27Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Electrical System41 complaints

41 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V171000.

Engine14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

02V171000Reported June 24, 2002 - 161,000 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on June 24, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 161,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

PE02034Opened March 15, 2002 - Closed July 22, 2002

ALTERNATOR FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 02V171000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19971
19984
199910
20008
200111
200216
200315
200413
20058
20062
20071
20083
20092
20102
20113
20121
20141
20181
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.