Are these issues related? I just had the alternator replaced for the 3rd time in my 09 Maxima (OEM parts used by mechanic) when I picked the car up it shaking badly and engine sounded very loud. I returned the car and the mechanic said my engine strut (on the same side as the alternator) was bad. Had that replaced and now the cabin smells of exhaust.

 

Not normally related but I suspect your mechanic could be the relative factor with this whole smelly situation. I recommend to loose this guy fast!

 

^^ exactly. That mechanic sounds like an upsaling idiot. Looks like he's the cause f your problems on the latter so I would lose him

 

Replacing an alternator should not result in shaking or vibrating. Nor should it change the noise level of the engine or result in an exhaust smell. Unless he took the exhaust system apart and reconnected it incorrectly.

I am a little leary of criticizing a mechanic from afar, but there may be a few limbs missing from the shade tree under which your mechanic is working.

And THREE ALTERNATORS? I haven't ever replaced an alternator in a Maxima, and I have owned nothing but Maximas for thirty years this coming October. Some of those Maximas were driven over 200K miles. There is another problem with your car that is killing these alternators. Maybe a poorly connected ground wire? Bad voltage regulator? Could be any of several things.