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1985 Nissan Maxima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1985 Nissan Maxima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 99.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 3 of 54 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports37 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

54 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 1996
Fuel System, GasolineFire

FUEL INJECTOR FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #512212

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A SMOG CHECK, STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES BECAUSE OF THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, RECALL 951006000.*AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #804527

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 1996
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM EMITS GAS SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #510217

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 1996
Fuel System, GasolineFire

FUEL INJECTOR FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #509975

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 1996
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE LEAKS GAS.

NHTSA ODI #509612

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

PURCHASED CAR USED, HAD ONE MONTH, CAR WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE , MANUFACTURER MADE AND OFFER OF 750.00 ON CAR . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK

NHTSA ODI #802810

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

ENGINE FIRE. *DH

NHTSA ODI #507276

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashFire

TOOK MAXIMA IN FOR REPAIR AND NISSAN ASKED FOR PAPER WORK, MR. GRAHAM SENT IT IN AND NISSAN CONTINUES TO ASK FOR MORE WHICH GRAHAM DOES NOT HAVE (95I-006). *AK

NHTSA ODI #986143

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, SAW SMOKE, PULLED OVER, WAITED & LIFTED HOOD, SAW FIRE, TURNED VEHICLE OFF, SMOTHERED FLAMES W/BLANKET.

NHTSA ODI #986589

Mileage unknown · May 15, 1996
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM LEAK, CAUSING ENGINE FIRE. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)*SD

NHTSA ODI #504617

Official recalls

1

86V096000 · Visibility:windshield

Jul 16, 1986

THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT THICKNESS OF ADHESIVE IN THE CONTACT AREA BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS AND THE BODY. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS LACK OF ADHESIVE MAY CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD TO DISMOUNT IN AN ACCIDENT, THUS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 212, WINDSHIELD MOUNTING AND WHICH MAY ALLOW THE OCCUPANTS TO BE EJECTED OUT OF THE CAR, CAUSING MORE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: ADD MORE ADHESIVE TO BOTTOM OF FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA94018 · Fuel Injector Assembly Leakage

Opened Jun 23, 1994 · Closed Nov 8, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.SERVICE CAMPAIGN 95I-006.

PE88025 · Steering Malfunction

Opened Feb 9, 1988 · Closed May 11, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available