1997 Nissan Maxima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 4%of 102 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,446miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Nissan Maxima, 4% of the 102 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,446 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10237567, filed 2008-08, 135,000 miles“Clicking noise from my 1997 Nissan Maxima 5 - speed odometer. Shifting problems, no cruise control and no MPH reading or odometer reading after clicking stopped. Shifting completely failed after about a month. Mechanic that fixed the problem said that the odometer box located near the gears fell apart and the pieces of the odometer components fell into my gears damaging them and ultimately preventing the use of my vehicle. Mechanic also told me it was nothing I had done to contribute to this failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10030231, filed 2003-07, 85,892 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #555481, filed 2000-10Related service bulletins
- 10178242Jul 21, 2020VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN F04 AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE SOLENOID VALVE ASSEMBLY Service Campaign ID # P8119 is no longer active. ï· Repair orders opened after this bulletinâs…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 14% |
| 2019 | 3 | 17% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 11 | 10% |
| 2016 | 33 | 23% |
| 2014 | 22 | 23% |
| 2013 | 24 | 39% |
| 2012 | 18 | 17% |
| 2011 | 22 | 21% |
| 2010 | 15 | 5% |
| 2009 | 11 | 3% |
| 2008 | 8 | 10% |
| 2007 | 16 | 12% |
| 2006 | 393 | 68% |
| 2005 | 777 | 82% |
| 2004 | 934 | 66% |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% |
| 2001 | 8 | 5% |
| 2000 | 22 | 6% |
| 1999 | 8 | 5% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% |
| 1996 | 12 | 13% |
| 1995 | 12 | 8% |
| 1994 | 9 | 10% |
| 1993 | 6 | 8% |
| 1992 | 5 | 5% |
| 1991 | 9 | 12% |
| 1990 | 10 | 9% |
| 1989 | 9 | 15% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 5 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1997 Nissan Maxima
39 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Nissan Maxima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology