# 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
> NHTSA complaint `365830` · 2002-07-03 · Nissan North America, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** NISSAN
- **Model:** MAXIMA
- **Year:** 1997
- **Manufacturer:** Nissan North America, Inc.
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
## Narrative
I PUT THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND WENT INSIDE THE HOUSE.  I CAME BACK OUT TO THE GARAGE TO GET SOMETHING ELSE OUT OF THE CAR AND I SMELLED A HORRIBLE SMELL, LIKE PLASTIC BURNING.  I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THE FLAMES.  MY NEIGHBOR HELPED ME PUSH THE CAR OUT FHE GARAGE.  I RAN A HOSE OVER THE ENGINE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT.   HAD I NOT GOTTEN THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE, MY CAR COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE, BURNED MY BRAND NEW HOUSE DOWN AND POSSIBLY KILLED ME.  I AM APALLED THAT I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS RECALL MORE THAN 1 YEAR AFTER MY INCIDENT.  I THOUGHT IT WAS ISOLATED UNTIL I READ ABOUT IT IN THE NEWPAPER.  IT COST MORE THAN $650 TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND FIX THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR.  I AM GOING TO CONTACT NISSAN FOR REIMBURSEMENT.  I AM VERY LUCKY THAT MY SITUATION DID NOT END UP KILLING ME.*AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*