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.

- Durham, NC, USA

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.

- Whittier, CA, USA

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?

- Durham, NC, USA

I own a 1997 Nissan Maxima gle. In the last 4 months I have replaced the alternator twice, the starter and the battery twice. Something is defective with the charging system. The battery light and brake light keep coming on repeatedly especially when the car travels more than 10-20 miles. I have had the car stall out with a dead battery 5 times and each time I have had to have a jump start or change the battery once. Something is draining the system.

- Vienna, VA, USA

Fax ltr fm Georgia chester (ca) request re-start of a 2002 recall on the 1997 Nissan Maxima, her Maxima caught on fire, reply attn maria cobian/oxnard, a district office, ES have no rec of previous corr. Fm Ms. Chester. The consumer er's vehicle was not covered under recall 02V-171 because it was produced prior to February 13, 1997, when Nissan began to use the defective alternators.

- Oxnard, CA, USA