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.
Engine & cooling
1997 Nissan Maxima Engine problems
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 1997 Nissan Maxima's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 14% of all its complaints, most recently on December 31, 2018. They describe 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
- Complaints
- 15
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Engine complaints
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.
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
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 radiator support, the engine support beam hits off the ground during normal driving. *Tr
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...
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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
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...
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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
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 nissan maxima. The vehicle shuts off while driving and fails to restart in a timely fashion. The failure occurs without warning. The dealer was contacted and replaced the alternator, starter, and sensors. However, the failure persists. The current mileage is 134,000 and failure mileage was 75,000.
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
Bought a 97 nissan pathfinder in sept. 03...Shortly after purchasing the vehicle the service engine light came on. The engine light has since had a mind of its own, turning on and off depending on the climate outside the vehicle. I recently learned that it is the evap vent control valve and o ring which need to be replaced. I had taken the car into 3 dealerships on the east coast where I was told numerous other issues were causing the light. I have put $4500 worth of work into the vehicle only to find out that it...
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was a $122 part that supposedly needs to be replaced. I have spoken to other nissan owners (many with other nissan vehicles-not pathfinders) and they too have had this same experience with their vehicle. The parts are not available through anybody except the nissan dealerships which means there is no way to get a competative price. In order to get the light to shut off once my mechanic has replaced the parts I will then be forced to take the vehicle back to the dealership to pay them to shut it off. I was informed by the mechanic at the dealership that this problem would not effect the drivability of the vehicle that it was an emissions situation. Ultimately, the vehicle will not pass emissions inspections nor will it get decent gas mileage until this part is replaced.
The check engine light was illuminated, and there was a noise coming from the suspension.*Jb ph
Failure of rear o2 sensor three times over the past 5 years
Consumer's vehicle engine burst into falmes without any apparent reason.
Engine check light illuminated. Sometimes there was a gas smell inside cab. Driver took vehicle to a mechanic, and he stated that evaporative system was bad. Please provide any further information.*Ak
This represents very early failure of the components. No safety defect mentioned. *Ak
Vehicle stalls causing loss of power steering and vehicle control. Dealer has been unable to repair.
Nissan Maxima engine complaints by year
Maxima engine problems, every yearSource: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data