VehicleVerdict

1997 Nissan Maxima electrical system problems

The 1997 Nissan Maxima has 41 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 33% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

41

Electrical System complaints

33%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Maxima electrical system complaints by model year178 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 7 complaints1986: 12 complaints1987: 23 complaints1988: 6 complaints1989: 8 complaints1990: 9 complaints1991: 8 complaints1992: 9 complaints1993: 11 complaints1994: 13 complaints1995: 24 complaints1996: 10 complaints1997: 41 complaints1998: 24 complaints1999: 89 complaints2000: 178 complaints2001: 29 complaints2002: 33 complaints2003: 25 complaints2004: 73 complaints2005: 48 complaints2006: 47 complaints2007: 9 complaints2008: 6 complaints2009: 81 complaints2010: 83 complaints2011: 17 complaints2012: 20 complaints2013: 3 complaints2014: 10 complaints2016: 36 complaints2017: 14 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 2 complaints2020: 2 complaints2021: 1 complaints2023: 2 complaints
Maxima electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

02V171000Electrical SystemJune 24, 2002 · 161,000 units

Defect

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.

What owners report

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 18, 2005 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1997 Nissan Maxima have?

NHTSA has 41 complaints about the 1997 Nissan Maxima electrical system — 33% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1997 Nissan Maxima electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 02V171000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.