1997 Nissan Maxima Nissan Maxima 1997

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1997 Nissan Maxima repairs by problem area

Engine (37%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (13%)

Brakes and Traction Control (8%)

Suspension and Steering (21%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (16%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (3%)

Chart based on 62 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 1997 Nissan Maxima.

1997 Nissan Maxima repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (0%)

$500 - $999 (17%)

$100 - $499 (58%)

< $100 (25%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 52 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

1997 Nissan Maxima

Engine not specified

Nissan in Michigan, United States
Feb 2012 - Mar 2012
Mar 2012

280000 mi

US $120
OEM starter replaced after 280k miles. Very reliable car. 
Nissan in Kansas, United States
Jan 2012 - Jul 2012
Feb 2012

138800 mi

US $30
Poor gas mileage and a non-CEL engine code. Knock Sensor was determined to be bad. Replacing this sensor improved gas mileage and removed the code. 
Apr 2012

140000 mi

US $80
rear left caliper was seized. Caliper and rotor were replaced 
May 2012

140700 mi

US $250
pinhole leak on A/C compressor was repaired using sealant. 
Nissan in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2011 - Jul 2012
Jul 2012

83700 mi
Alternator not charging; replaced under warranty. Was originally replaced Nov. 2010 at 106,000 km. 
Nissan in California, United States
Jul 2009 - Mar 2010
Aug 2009

195000 mi

US $200
New Struts, strut boots. Replaced sway bar, sway bar bushing Replaced inner tie rod, steering rod boot 
Oct 2009

196000 mi

US $100
Power steering belt tensioner broke causing both belts to fall off Crankshaft position sensor 
Nissan in Colorado, United States
Aug 2011 - Oct 2011
Oct 2011

129000 mi

US $420
cv axel replaced. cv axel seal x2 replaced  
Nissan in Minnesota, United States
May 2012 - May 2012
May 2012

229000 mi

US $50
Leaking coolent. 
Nissan in New Hampshire, United States
Jun 2011 - Jul 2011
Jul 2011

199000 mi
Exhaust leak when sold. 

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1997 Nissan Maxima 4-door

6-cylinder manual 2WD

Nissan in New Jersey, United States
Nov 2010 - Oct 2011
Jan 2011

173000 mi

US $525
Problem with clutch hydraulics causing uneven clutch engagement; it wasn't releasing all the way, causing difficulty shifting gears. Clutch master and slave cylinders, and clutch lines were replaced. 
Nissan in New Jersey, United States
Apr 2010 - Jul 2010
May 2010

147000 mi

US $150
alternator 
Nissan in Illinois, United States
Sep 2010 - Aug 2011
Nov 2010

142000 mi

US $17
A bearing had been worn for several thousand miles, making a loud growling noise, and I finally decided to replace it. The hub/bearing assembly was replaced with a used part. Also, rear pads were replaced and brakes were bled. 
Jan 2011

143000 mi

US $150
Car failed emissions testing. Knock sensor and O2 sensor were replaced. 
Aug 2011

144000 mi

US $30
Replaced starter motor: solenoid was failing intermittently, starting became difficult. 
Nissan in Maryland, United States
Jun 2010 - Jul 2011
Jul 2011

128000 mi

US $500
Replaced CV joints and boots. Transmission idle sensor needs to be adjusted. 
Nissan in Kansas, United States
Sep 2010 - Jun 2012
Jan 2011

226000 mi

US $800
While in the shop for a new clutch, mechanic noticed a bad input bearing AFTER transmission was back in. Customer drove it 50 miles, experience extreme vibrations, towed back to shop. Mechanic replace all bearings in the transmission. 
Nissan in Iowa, United States
Apr 2009 - Jun 2011
Jun 2011

158000 mi

US $410
Left rear wheel bearing replaced 
Nissan in Massachusetts, United States
Jul 2008 - Mar 2010
Aug 2008

151000 mi

US $80
Coil pack 4 misfire. 
Nov 2008

154000 mi

US $120
Calipers were sticking, inside pads worn down but outsides okay. Replaced calipers. 
Nissan in Minnesota, United States
May 2015 - Sep 2018
May 2015

229000 mi

US $100
Replaced front brake lines 
Nissan in Washington, United States
Jul 2008 - Dec 2014
Apr 2009

221000 mi

US $294
Clutch hydraulic system leaky and ineffective. Clutch master and slave cylinders replaced as well as the line between them.  
Nissan in Illinois, United States
Oct 2009 - Jun 2011
Aug 2010

164000 mi

US $400
Rusted front fenders replaced 
Nissan in Virginia, United States
Jan 2009 - Jun 2011
Mar 2010

261000 mi

US $500
Replaced MAP sensor.  Replaced rear calipers and rear rotors. 

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1997 Nissan Maxima 4-door

6-cylinder automatic 2WD

Nissan in California, United States
- Feb 2016
Feb 2016

182000 mi

US $35
Serpentine belt idle pulley failed. Replaced part & belt . Ignition coil failed. Replaced myself. Easy fix since computer ididentified fault. The only 2 parts ever to fail in 189000 miles were this coil and belt idler pully (twice). 
Nissan in Texas, United States
Jul 2011 - Jun 2018
Sep 2011

198000 mi

US $250
Replaced original radiator, hoses, thermostat, coolant, PS Return hose, and starter (proactive, works but had some hard starting from bad alternator/battery earlier). Radiator had slight leak near top, rest PM. 
Mar 2012

203000 mi

US $78
Window regulator broke. Motor still worked but window fell down into the door. 
May 2012

203300 mi

US $50
Passenger window motor went out 
Nissan in Georgia, United States
Mar 2011 - Jun 2012
Apr 2011

138000 mi

US $250
Replaced valve cover gaskets 
Feb 2012

149000 mi

US $200
Replaced worn drive shaft 
Nissan in Kansas, United States
Jul 2011 - Jul 2012
Mar 2012

172000 mi

US $682
Exhaust system rotted and needed to be replaced. 
Jul 2012

173000 mi

US $100
Replaced stabilizer and wheel bearing 
Nissan in California, United States
May 2010 - Jun 2011
Jul 2010

153000 mi

US $500
This time repair all belts except timing belt,+bearing+brakes.but leak oil problem still exist. 
Nissan in Maryland, United States
May 2009 - Jul 2009
Jul 2009

146000 mi
Sold as-is in somewhat poor condition. Needed CV boots... rear springs... and bad wiring to fog lights. 
Nissan in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2008 - Mar 2010
Jun 2009

91760 mi

C $350
sway bar link replaced 
Mar 2010

93620 mi

C $150
replaced flex pipe 
Nissan in Michigan, United States
Jul 2008 - Jan 2011
Aug 2008

141000 mi

US $140
Replaced starter switch. 
Jun 2010

182000 mi

US $300
Needed rear calipers on both sides 
Nissan in Ontario, Canada
Nov 2008 - Feb 2010
Oct 2009

196540 mi

C $350
Ignition replaced (area where key is inserted) 
Nissan in Tennessee, United States
Jan 2011 - Jul 2011
Feb 2011

179000 mi

US $115
Top radiator tank split at molded rectangle toward passenger side. R&R took about 30 minutes. 
Nissan in Texas, United States
Feb 2009 - Mar 2010
Mar 2009

136000 mi

US $30
Replaced ignition switch - switch would occasionally not start engine, even with full key turn. Common problem on 4th gen Maximas. 
Nissan in Pennsylvania, United States
Aug 2010 - Jun 2011
Dec 2010

156000 mi

US $700
Front frame crossmember for motor mounts beneath radiator rusted through. Got estimate. Trying to determine if I want to get the work done or scrap the car. 
May 2011

156000 mi

US $600
Top strut mount 
Nissan in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2009 - Dec 2012
Mar 2011

152520 mi

C $240
Exhaust system fell off behind the headers. 
Dec 2012

189720 mi
Given the Maxima's deteriorating condition and the fact that it was seldom used, we decided to scrap it. 
Nissan in Texas, United States
Jul 2008 - Mar 2010
Aug 2008

163000 mi

US $400
The Mass Air Flow Sensor needed to be changed drastically. I took to Nissan and another local place and they had no idea how to fix the problem. My mom's boyfriend did it all for me. 
Nissan in New York, United States
Feb 2010 - Jun 2012
Apr 2010

128000 mi

US $500
Ignition, tune up Control arms 
Mar 2011

148000 mi

US $400
vapor canister replaced; also brakes 
Apr 2012

164700 mi

US $250
Rear Bearings replaced 

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1997 Nissan Maxima 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Nissan in Colorado, United States
Jan 2009 - Jun 2012
Jan 2011

115200 mi

US $400
Replaced starter. Replaced fuel pump. 
Jun 2012

119000 mi

US $120
Sway bar links replaced by myself.  Also, replaced knock sencor, due to service engine soon light. 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Nissan models.

1997 Nissan Maxima Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 1997 Nissan Maxima problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.