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: 4 of 62 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 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
62 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2011
Structure
YESTERDAY JULY 18 2011, PASSPORT NISSAN INDICATED TO ME THAT NISSAN IS WILLING TO GIVE ME A $1200, ( TWELVE HUNDRED) FOR THE MAXIMA 1989 THAT YOU HAVE INSPECTED. NISSAN WANTS MY CAR FOR THAT AMOUNT, I MADE A COUNTER OFFER TO HIM. AT ANY RATE I DECIDED ,THAT NISSAN SHOULD JUST FIX MY CAR. THANK YOU, TO: RBITTINGER <RB…
Read full complaint
YESTERDAY JULY 18 2011, PASSPORT NISSAN INDICATED TO ME THAT NISSAN IS WILLING TO GIVE ME A $1200, ( TWELVE HUNDRED) FOR THE MAXIMA 1989 THAT YOU HAVE INSPECTED. NISSAN WANTS MY CAR FOR THAT AMOUNT, I MADE A COUNTER OFFER TO HIM. AT ANY RATE I DECIDED ,THAT NISSAN SHOULD JUST FIX MY CAR. THANK YOU, TO: RBITTINGER <RBITTINGER@PASSPORTNISSAN.COM> SENT: FRI, JUN 24, 2011 10:53 AM SUBJECT: MAXIMA 89 MORNING, FOR YOUR INFORMATION I AM FORWARDING THE FOLLOWING LINKS REGARDING MY MAXIMA 89, SEE YOU TUESDAY THE 28 OF JUNE. THANKS, SUMMARY HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/RECALLS/RECALLSUMMARY.CFM?RCL_CAMPAIGN_ID=95V244000&PROD_ID=11205&MODULETYPE=VEHICLE&MAKE=NISSAN&MODEL=MAXIMA&VEH_MODEL_YEAR=1989&SEARCHTYPE=DRILLDOWN RECALL BULLETIN HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/DOCSERVLET/ARTEMIS/PUBLIC/RECALLS/1995/V/RCMN-95V244-6337.PDF RON SEE PAGES 7 AND 8 ON THIS PDF FILE IT CALLS FOR WHEEL HOUSING AND TRUNK REPAIR HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/DOCSERVLET/ARTEMIS/PUBLIC/RECALLS/1995/V/RC-95V244-NN.PDF
NHTSA ODI #10417322
193,000 miles · Mar 9, 2006
Fuel System, GasolineStructure
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS CORROSION BETWEEN FUEL FILLER TUBE AND LEFT REAR FENDER AND WHEEL HOUSING. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL 95V244000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK: FILLER PIPE AND CAP. THIS VEHICLE IN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL; HOWEVER THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNTIL OTHER REPAIRS AR…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS CORROSION BETWEEN FUEL FILLER TUBE AND LEFT REAR FENDER AND WHEEL HOUSING. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL 95V244000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK: FILLER PIPE AND CAP. THIS VEHICLE IN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL; HOWEVER THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNTIL OTHER REPAIRS ARE MADE. THE REPAIRS THAT ARE NEEDED BEFORE THE RECALL WILL BE PREFORMED ARE AS FOLLOWS. THE LEFT REAR FENDER AND BOTTOM TRUNK PAN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS ALERTED AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
NHTSA ODI #10152332
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2005
Power Train
WHILE TURNING THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE ACCELERATING 35MPH, THE CLANKING NOISE ESCALATED LOUDER. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE POWER TRAIN AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACEMENT DUE TO CORROSION. PLEASE FILL IN ADDIT…
Read full complaint
WHILE TURNING THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE ACCELERATING 35MPH, THE CLANKING NOISE ESCALATED LOUDER. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE POWER TRAIN AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACEMENT DUE TO CORROSION. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA ODI #10114963
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
RECALL CAMPAIGN #95V244000 ; CUSTOMER STATES R5002, CORROSION RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. *BF *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10111595
120,000 miles · Jan 18, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING CORROSION FROM THE FILLER PIPE AND GAS TANK. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS GIVEN A FILE NUMBER. TWO WEEKS HAVE GONE BY AND THE OWNER IS UNABLE TO CONTACT ANYONE FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHO CAN ASSIST IN GETTING THIS DEFECT REPAIRED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10107474
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2004
Power TrainSteering
CONSUMER COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER ON ITS OWN OUT OF PARK WITHOUT APPLYING FORCE. ALSO, STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO LOCK. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10090402
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE BACKING OUT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER WAS KILLED ON IMPACT. AN AMBULANCE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, AND AN ACCIDENT REPORT WAS ISSUED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10089484
Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2004
Electrical System
I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW FROM JACK BIGGER NISSAN. APPROXIMATELY 5 YEARS AFTER THE PURCHASE, IN OUR HOT SUMMERS, I NOTICED THE DIGITAL DASHBOARD (ONE OF THE FEATURES THAT ATTRACTED MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF TO THIS PARTICULAR CAR) STARTED SHOWING HORIZONTAL "STREAKS" ACROSS THE LIGHT PANEL & THE READINGS WOULD FLICKER IN AND OUT. AS …
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW FROM JACK BIGGER NISSAN. APPROXIMATELY 5 YEARS AFTER THE PURCHASE, IN OUR HOT SUMMERS, I NOTICED THE DIGITAL DASHBOARD (ONE OF THE FEATURES THAT ATTRACTED MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF TO THIS PARTICULAR CAR) STARTED SHOWING HORIZONTAL "STREAKS" ACROSS THE LIGHT PANEL & THE READINGS WOULD FLICKER IN AND OUT. AS THE YEARS PASSED, THE PROBLEM GREW WORSE, TO THE POINT WHERE THE LIGHTS WOULD ACTUALLY GO OUT COMPLETELY! WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED, APPROXIMATELY 1994, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM AND WAS INFORMED THAT, YES, THEY HAD DISCONTINUED USING THESE DIGITAL LIGHTS JUST FOR THAT REASON! UPON INQUIRY TO REPAIR, I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT WOULD COST ROUGHLY (AT THAT TIME) $1200 - $1400 TO INSTALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS REQUIRED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM!!! I HAD THEM SOMETIMES. I AM STILL DRIVING THE CAR AFTER 15 YRS., I NEVER HAVE ANY OF MY DASH LIGHTS - NOT SPEED, OIL, GAS, MILEAGE, CHECK ENGINE, CRUISE CONTROL OR TEMPERATURE; OR ANY OTHER READINGS I'VE LONG FORGOTTEN HAD BEEN THERE. OBVIOUSLY, SPEED AND MY GAS GAUGE ARE THE TWO THINGS I CONSIDER MISSING THE MOST. I CAN KEEP UP WITH THE GAS, I'VE ONLY RUN OUT ONCE, TO MY CREDIT. THE SPEED, HOWEVER, I FEEL IS DANGEROUS. PERHAPS NISSAN DOES NOT CARE IF I GET A TICKET OR TWO FOR BEING OVER THE SPEED LIMIT, SO PERHAPS THAT DANGER IS PERCEIVED AS "ONLY TO ME", AFTERALL, IT'S NOT LIKE THE BRAKES OR TRANSMISSION. I DO NOT AGREE. I HAVE FELT, FROM THE BEGINNING, THAT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS NISSAN'S RESPONSIBILITY. I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER 1989 MAXIMAS ON THE ROAD WITH NO DASH LIGHTS. I HAVE BEEN "IN THE DARK" FOR ABOUT 8 YRS. NOW AND I DO FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THIS FORUM TO EXPLAIN THIS CAR'S PROBLEM, I DID WRITE TO NISSAN CORP. AND THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, JUST TO BE IGNORED. SINCERELY, JOAN L. PELZER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10078454
172,300 miles · Nov 6, 2003
Visibility
FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10045623
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK CONSUMER NOTICED THAT GAS TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL.*AK
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A MIXTURE OF MUD AND SALT TO GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND WHEEL HOUSING. THE TRAPPED MUD AND SALT CAN RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND THE WHEEL HOUSING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE MAY RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. IN ADDITION, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS MOUNTED TO THE WHEEL HOUSING AND IN THE EVENT OF SIGNIFICANT CORROSION, AND THE MOUNTING COULD FAIL IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN DEPENDING UPON THE EXTENT OF THE CORROSION.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1989 Nissan Maxima Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year