1997 Nissan Maxima

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2018· SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINEFire

  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.

• 12/31/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN APPYLING THE BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 12/30/2001· TIRES

  FAILURES WITH TWO DIFFERENT SETS OF GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES. FIRST FAILURES WERE CRACKS ON OUTSIDE OF TIRES NEXT TO RIM AFTER APPROX. 29K MILES. GOODYEAR GAVE SOME CREDIT AND NEW SET OF EAGLES (SAME SIZE AND MODEL) INSTALLED IN JUNE '99.. IN OCT. 2001DURING ROUTINE ROTATION AND BALANCE SEVERE CRACKS NEXT TO RIM ON INSIDE OF REPLACEMENT TIRES WAS OBSERVED BY TECHNICIAN. THESE TIRES HAD APPROX. 38K MILES ON THEM. CAR IS CAREFULLY MAINTAINED AND TIRES ARE ALWAYS ROTATED AND BALANCED EVERY 6K MILES.*AK (TIRESIZE: 215 55 H16)

• 12/26/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION, CONSUMER STATES THE ALTERNATOR FAILED ON THE VEHICLE, AND IS NOW REQUESTING A REFUND.*JB

• 12/20/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  FOG LIGHTS, BELTS, TRUNK RELEASE, ALTERNATOR, ELECTRICAL WIRING, AND BATTERY. THE CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE NEW FOG LIGHT INSTALLED BECAUSE THE OLD ONES HAD BROWN MOISTURE IN THE LIGHT. THE TRUNK RELEASE STOPPED WORKING AND AS A RESULT THE TRUNK COULD ONLY BE OPENED WITH THE KEY. THE VEHICLE'S ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEMS. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE ALTERNATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AGAIN BUT REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING. *NM

• 12/18/2000· SUSPENSION

  THE LEFT AND RIGHT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE DEFECTIVE. *SLC

• 12/13/2004· VISIBILITYFire

  I WAS DRIVING MY 1997 NISSIAN SENTRA TO WORK IN THE MORNING AND WAS APPOARCHING THE GUARD GATE. PUSHED THE SWITCH TO ROLLED DOWN THE PASSENGER AND DRIVE SIDE AUTOMATIC WINDOWS. SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY. PULL OVER ON THE SIDE THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. RAN UP TO THE GUARD GATE AND OBTAINED A FIRE EXTERISHER. TURNED TO THE CAR AND SAW A TWO TO FOUR INCH FLAME COMING OUT OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY. I PUT OUT THE FIRE. CHECKED THE FUSE BLOCK FOR A BLOWN FUSE AND THERE WAS NONE. THE FUSE DID NOT BLOW FOR THE AUTOMATIC WINDOW CIRCUIT. PULLED SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND DISCONNECTED THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR. PLANNING ON REPLACING THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND SIDE PANEL.

• 12/09/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

• 12/03/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  RECALL 02V171000 CONCERNING ALTERNATOR. CONSUMER WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL, THEN SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE HOOD AND FLAMES CAME OUT FROM THE ALTERNATOR. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD RECORDS INDICATING THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS WARRANTED FOR 1 YEAR. IT WAS PAST A YEAR, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK

• 12/02/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  MY WIFE BACKED THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. SHE TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND GOT ME. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD THERE WAS SMOKE AND A BURNING SMELL. THE ALTERNATOR HAD STARTED TO BURN AS WELL AS THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS ISSUE WAS COVERED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 02V171000, BUT NISSAN SAYS MY VIN WAS NOT AMONG THOSE AFFECTED AND MY CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. *JB

• 12/02/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V171000 CONCERNING ALTERNATOR. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ATERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

• 11/17/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

• 11/10/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. TOOK VEHICLETO A MECHANIC, AND THEY SAID THAT ALTERNATOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK

• 11/05/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FAULTY PART SEEMS TO BE THE VENT CONTROL VALVE TO THE EVAP CANISTER, BUT ODB-II RESULTS IN MANY FAULTY CODES. DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SYSTEM (APPROX. $500.00) SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS CAR ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****769313

• 10/29/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  RECALL 02V171000 CONCERNING ALTERNATOR. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE AND A ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER CONCERNING THIS RECALL. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *NM

• 10/28/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATOR. ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. TS

• 10/27/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S ALTERNATOR.*MR (NAR) DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONSUMER WAS REJECTED THE RECALL ISSUED FOR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF MISSING DOCUMENTATION. PLEASE REVIEW FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS. *CB *JB

• 10/26/2004· AIR BAGS

  WITH EXTENSIVE FRONT-END DAMAGE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *BF WHILE DRIVING OUR VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE, MY SON REAR-ENDED A FORD WINSTAR VAN. HE BELIEVES THAT HE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO BRAKE TO SOME EXTENT BEFORE HITTING HER REAR BUMPER. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED. HOWEVER THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE MAXIMA. THIS INCLUDED THE FRONT BUMPER, GRILL, RADIATOR, HOOD AND OTHER COMPONENTS THAT I WAS UNABLE TO ASSESS. HOWEVER OUR BODY SHOP AND INSURANCE COMPANY FELT THAT THE COST OF REPAIRS EXCEEDED THE VALUE OF THE VEHICHLE SUCH THAT THEY "TOTALED" THE CAR. MY CONCERN WAS THAT WITH SUCH EXTENSIVE FRONT-END DAMAGE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NISSAN SEEMS TO THINK THAT THIS WAS APPROPRIATE. HOW CAN WE DETERMINE IF THIS IS CORRECT. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *AK FOLLOW UP LETTER FROM 10078979 *TC

• 10/26/2004· AIR BAGS

  PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF INADVERTENTLY WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH. CONSUMER WAS NOT INJURED, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. *AK

• 10/23/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ALTERNATOR HAS FAILED, BURNING SMELL FROM UNDER HOOD. VEHICLE HAS MISSED RECALL BY 16 DAYS. *LA

• 10/23/2003· SUSPENSION

  VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 02V146000 CONCERNING CONTROL ARM:LOWER CONTROL ARM. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

• 10/22/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

  THEY TOLD ME WHEN I WAS PURCHASING THE 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT IT HAS BEEN THROUGH THERE INSPECTION. AS SOON AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME AND WAS AT A STOP THE ENGINE TURN OFF. IT TOOK ME TWO TIMES TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN TO START UP. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE DEALER AND SPOKE TO HIM ABOUT THE CAR TOOK IT IN TO GET IT REPAIRED. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR IS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO A STOP ENGINE JUST TURNS OFF. IT TOOK ME FIVE TIMES TO PLAY AROUND WITH THE IGNITION TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. IN THE GLOVER COMPARTMENT I HAVE FOUND THE ENCLOSED COPY OF THE REPAIR INVOICE FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER THAT STATES HE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAVE KNOW WITH THE ENGINE. THEY NEVER MENTION TO ME THAT THE CAR WAS HAVING ANY PROBLEMS. I BOUGHT THE CAR AS IS PAID CASH. I TRIED TO RETURN THE CAR AND GET MY MONEY BACK. BUT THE DEALER SHIP SAID NO. I PURCHASED THIS CAR AT THE PLANET NISSAN 5850 CENTENNIAL CENTER BLVD. LAS VEGAS NV 89149. (702)876-8000. I'M VERY UPSET THAT THEY SOLD ME A LEMON OF A CAR THAT I PURCHASED AND THAT I HAVE BEEN PAYING OUT OF POCKET TO FIX . *NM

• 10/15/2000· AIR BAGS,SEATSCrash

  VEHICLE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. I WAS HIT IN THE REAR BY A 2000 FORD F150 TRUCK. I WAS PROPELLED FORWARD, THEN BACK INTO THE SEAT, THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. I SUSTAINED NECK, SHOULDER, BACK, HIP AND KNEE INJURIES. MY CAR WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIRBAGS IN MY CAR DID NOT DEPLOY!

• 10/13/2000· AIR BAGS

  I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AT THE INTERSECTION FEDERAL AND 33RD STREET AND WHEN PROCEEDED TO TURN RIGHT VERY SLOWLY, APPROXIMATELY 02 -05 MILES P/H BOTH OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS INFALTED ON ME. MY NECK HAS BEEN HURTING SINCE. THERE WAS NO COLLISION. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. THERE IS NO DAMADGE TO VEHICLE. AT THIS POINT I REPORTED TOP NISSAN CORPORATION THEY SEND AN INVESTIGATOR AND AFTER THREE DAYS OF INSPECTION THEY SAID THEY WILL NOTIFY ME IN 4 TO 6 WEEKS. THE VEHICLE IS COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WAREENTY. AT THIS POINT THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE.

• 10/13/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE. WHILE TRYING TO PUT ON BRAKES, FOOT HIT THE GAS PEDAL. *AK

• 10/12/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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

• 10/04/2000· POWER TRAIN

  THE DIFFERENTIAL SPLINE GEAR SCORED FROM THE AXLE IS DISENGAGING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE, CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR COST OF TRANSMISSION AND RENTAL CAR SERVICE. *SLC

• 10/03/2000· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER NOTED THAT AIR BAG MODULA NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

• 09/29/2005· STRUCTURE

  DRIVING SLOWLY IN PATHFINDER 4X4 '97 HIT POT HOLE. SPOT WELDS ON FRAME TO INNER FENDER BROKE LOOSE. ONE FOOT LONG SEAM SPLIT 3 INCHES WIDE VIEWED FROM THE LEFT FRONT STRUT. COST $1,500 TO WELD AND BRACE. PROFESSIONAL SAID PATHFINDERS NOTORIOUS FOR THIS WEAKNESS. STEERING COLUMN JAMMED FROM FAILURE WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED HEAD-ON FATALITY INTO ONCOMING VEHICLE. SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN FOR A M/V PURPORTED TO BE AN ATV! MY EXPERIENCE IN ACCIDENTS STEMS FROM BOSTON POLICE OFFICER'S ACCIDENT REPORTS FOR OVER A DECADE. INSURANCE AMICA CALLED IT A COLLISION AND INTENDS TO INCREASE MY RATE $600 PER YEAR AND RANK FROM PERFECT DRIVER 9 LEVEL INTO A 13 LEVEL FOR SIX YEARS. BELIEVE THERE IS A TORT JUSTIFICATION. OTHER OWNER MUST BE NOTIFIED. THIN WALLED STRUCTURAL METALS TO BLAME. *NM

• 09/27/2000· TIRES

  TRAVELING 60 MPH AT 12:45 PM ON I-95 NB IN MA, 2 MILES SOUTH OF EXIT 8. CLEAR WEATHER, TEMPERATURE IN MID 60'S, SMOOTH ASPHALT PAVEMENT. SUDDEN LOUD ROARING NOISE. I THOUGHT AT FIRST IT WAS SOME SORT OF ENGINE FAILURE, BLUE SMOKE COMING OUT OF REAR OF CAR. NEXT WERE VIBRATIONS AND SHORT LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I REGAINED CONTROL AND PULLED OFF TO RIGHT SHOULDER. BOTH SIDEWALLS WERE DISINTEGRATED ALL THE WAY AROUND, WITH ONLY A FEW CORDS AND BELTS HOLDING THE TOP PART OF THE SIDEWALLS AND TREAD CAP TO THE INNER PART OF THE SIDEWALLS ON THE RIM. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT PRIOR TO THIS THAT WOULD INDICATE ANY SORT OF DAMAGE TO THE TIRE THAT FAILED. I IMMEDIATELY REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER AND BRAND OF TIRES. I BELIEVE THAT THIS FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE ON THE TIRES, IN THE CONDITION THE TIRES WERE IN.*AK (DOT NUMBER: M6B2LNER TIRESIZE: P215/55R16)

• 09/26/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I NEEDED TO REPLACE A MUFFLER ON MY 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA. ON 092209 I TOOK MY MAXIMA TO A MUFFLER SHOP, THE MECHANIC NOTICED A VERY STRONG RAWFUEL SMELL. HE SAID HE COULD NOT USE A FLAME TORCH DUE TO A POSSIBLE EXPLOSION. HE REPLACED THE MUFFLER BY HAND AND TOLD ME TO HAVE THE FUEL SYSTEM INSPECTED BECAUSE THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. ON 092609 I HAD THE FUEL SYSTEM INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, HE DISCOVERED THAT FUMES AND POSSIBLY GAS WERE ESCAPING FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK AND TUBE BECAUSE OF CORROSION WITHIN THE WHEEL BASE. I HAVE TRIED TO LOCATE REPLACEMENT PARTS FROM 3 SALVAGED VEHICLES AND EACH WERE ALSO CORRODED. NEW PARTS HAVE BEEN HARD TO LOCATED AND REMAIN UNCERTAIN AS TO WHETHER THEY WILL FIT. *TR

• 09/25/1998· STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  VEHICLE STALLS CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR.

• 09/24/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  I OWN 2 OF THE SAMES CARS MAKE YEAR AND MODEL AND THE SAME THING HQAPPENED 2 BOTH CARS BUT ONE OF THEM WAS REALLY SERIOUS IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AS I WAS DRIVING I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO I THINK THERE SHOULDVE BEEN A RECALL OR SOMETHING PLEASE HELP THNK YOU. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

• 09/21/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  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

• 09/18/2002· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE HOOD IS SUPPOSED TO BE SUPPORTED BY SHOCKS, BUT THEY FAIL AFTER A FEW YEARS. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED ABOUT A YEAR OR SO AGO, THE HOOD SLAMMED DOWN MOMENTS AFTER MY HEAD WAS UNDER IT. NOW, IT WON'T STAY UP AT ALL. I ASKED MY DEALERSHIP WHY THEY DIDN'T TELL ME IT WOULDN'T STAY UP AND THEY SAID B/C IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AFTER A FEW YEARS AND THEY DON'T RELY ON IT ANYWAY. SEEMS THEY SHOULD TELL THEIR CUSTOMERS THAT AND RETURN TO A ROD-SUPPORTED HOOD. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR MAJOR INJURY TO UNAWARE CUSTOMERS, AND THE FACT THAT THE DEALERSHIPS KNOW ABOUT IT (AND DON'T TELL) IS SCARY.*AK

• 09/17/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINEFire

  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.

• 09/15/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY 1997 MAXIMA HAS HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PERIODICALLY COME ON FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS. THE OBD CODE IS FOR THE SPEED SENSOR (P0500), I HAVE THE SPEEDOMETER DROP TO ZERO OCCASIONALLY AND BELIEVE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CIRCUIT. I HAVE CHANGED THE SENSOR FOUR TIMES AND THE PROBLEM ALWAYS RETURNS. TESTING THE SENSOR SHOWS IT IS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED, I RESET THE CODE AND IT EVENTUALLY RETURNS TO NORMAL AND I CAN PASS THE EMISSION TEST. THIS YEAR, I HAVE INCOMPLETE CODES FOR EGR AND CATALYST MONITOR. THERE ARE NO CODES PENDING AND I CHECK THE STATUS DAILY. I HAVE ABOUT 500 MILES ON THE CAR SINCE THE CODE RESET AND IT CONTINUES TO REGISTER INCOMPLETE. I AM AFRAID THAT I AM GOING TO GET FINED FOR THE EXPIRED INSPECTION. ARE THERE ANY KNOWN ISSUES RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM? *TR

• 09/13/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING-AFTER STARTING CAR IN SHOP-ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE. SECOND 1997 MAXIMA WE HAVE WITNESS WITH THIS CONDITION-WILL SEND FILL OUT SEPERATE FORM ON OTHER CAR ALSO.*AK

• 09/13/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  SMOKE NOTICED FROM UNDERHOOD WHILE VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE. FIRE INSIDE ALTERNATOR-PUT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER. *AK

• 09/10/2001· STEERING

  FILED A DEFECTIVE WORKMANSHIP CLAIM WITH NISSAN. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

• 09/08/1999· EQUIPMENT

  AIR CONDITIONER--COMPRESSOR.

• 09/04/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR BEFORE FIRE STARTED, OR WAS NOTICED. FIRE DEPT. SUSPECTED ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I FOUND RECALL ON WEB, WHICH I HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF!!!! POOR WORK ON NOTIFICATION NISSAN! ARE THEY REALLY SENDING NOTICES OUT?*AK

• 09/01/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  1997 MAXIMA SE. I PULLED INTO MY GARAGE AND COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. I LIFTED THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE ALTERNATOR. IT DRAINED THE BATTERY. AS I REPLACED THE BATTERY, THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE. *NM

• 08/31/2004· STRUCTURE

  VEHICLE DAMAGED AT NISSAN SERVICE.*MR WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND AN OIL CHANGE, A SERVICE EMPLOYEE DAMAGED THE FRONT BUMPER. AFTER NOTICING THE DAMAGE TWO DAYS LATER, CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPT. ONCE THERE, THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE MADE BY THEIR SUB CONTRACTOR. WHILE IN THE CARE OF THE SUB CONTRACTORS, THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WAS STOLEN. THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER RECTIFIED THAT PROBLEM ALSO.

• 08/25/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CAR STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. IT MAY RUN FINE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, THEN SUDDENLY STALL. THIS HAS CAUSED NEAR-ACCIDENTS, AS ENGINE SUDDENLY FAILS TO RESPOND IN SITUATIONS WHERE ACCELERATION IS REQUIRED; PASSING, MERGING, CROSSING INTERSECTIONS. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS SHORT IN EGI HARNESS. BREAKAGE INSIDE THE HARNESS APPEARS TO BE A FREQUENTLY OCCURING PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE, BASED ON OTHER REPORTS ON WEB DISCUSSION BOARDS. ALSO, MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, SO THEY ARE AWARE THAT THIS HAPPENS, AND HAVE PUBLISHED A FIX THAT WORKS ONLY IN SOME CASES (I.E., AN UNSHIELDED WIRE SHORT). MANUFACTURER, IN SPITE OF THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM, REFUSES TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING, AND ASCRIBES IT TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE ONLY SOLUTION FOR THE CONSUMER IS TO PAY NEARLY $3,000 TO HAVE THE ENTIRE HARNESS REPLACED, WHEN AS I EXPERIENCED, THE SHORT IS IN A SHIELDED WIRE (PER TSB).

• 08/15/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN CONSUMER WAS HIT IN FRONT OF VEHICLE, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

• 08/13/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN VEHICLE CUT OFF AND STARTED TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 08/10/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  IT ALL STARTED WITH THE NOISES FROM THE EXHAUST. SO I FIXED THE FLEX PIPE AND NO MORE NOISE, THE MECHANIC SAID IT'S A COMMON MAXIMA PROBLEM. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SO I FIXED THE O2 SENSOR AND THE KNOCK SENSOR, THE MECHANIC SAID IT'S A COMMON MAXIMA PROBLEM. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE INSPECTION STATION A FEW DAYS LATER AND THE LIGHT CAME ON. THE KNOCK SENSOR CODE CAME ON, THE O2 SENSOR, THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR, THERE WAS AN EGR MALFUNCTION, A SERIAL A/T LINK COMMUNICATION MALFUNCTION AND POSSIBLY OTHER CODES I CANNOT RECALL RIGHT NOW. THE MECHANIC SAID IT'S ALL COMMON MAXIMA PROBLEMS. I'VE SPENT SO FAR AT LEAST $800 AND THE CAR IS STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY, AND I CANNOT PASS INSPECTION. *TR

• 08/09/2010· STRUCTURE

  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

• 08/06/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  REAR BRAKES/CALIPERS AND DISCS OVERHEATED, HAD BEEN SERVICED 3 TIMES IN 1 MONTH FOR NEW BRAKES TWICE. BRAKES HAVE BURNED UP WITH CALIPERS WHICH LOCKED, AND HAVE ALMOST GONE ON FIRE. *AK