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1998 Nissan Maxima
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Nissan Maxima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 99.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →113Owner complaints
Model-year median: 99
1Recall campaignsView recall details →
0InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
1998 Nissan Maxima
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 113 owner complaints · 1 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Air Bags: 24 reports
- Electrical System: 24 reports
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 10 reports
- Structure: 8 reports
- Power Train: 6 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Maxima years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure 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
20–25K
525–50K
650–75K
575–100K
13100–150K
10150K+
41 reports with mileage · 72 unknown
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.
- Air Bags. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports12 fire reports6 injury reports
Child Seat complaints
2 reportsI HAVE TRIED 4 DIFFERENT CAR SEATS AND STILL DO NOT FELL SAFE WITH THE FIT THEY HAVE IN THIS CAR. THE SEAT INCLINES AND WITHOUT A TOWEL OR SOMETHING UNDER THE CAR SEAT YOU CAN NOT INSTALL A REAR FACING CAR SEAT. I DO NOT FIND A TOWEL VERY SECURE SINCE IT SLIDES AND THE SEAT IS THEREFORE NOT IN PLACE FOR LONG: THAT IS NOT VERY SA…
Read full complaint
I HAVE TRIED 4 DIFFERENT CAR SEATS AND STILL DO NOT FELL SAFE WITH THE FIT THEY HAVE IN THIS CAR. THE SEAT INCLINES AND WITHOUT A TOWEL OR SOMETHING UNDER THE CAR SEAT YOU CAN NOT INSTALL A REAR FACING CAR SEAT. I DO NOT FIND A TOWEL VERY SECURE SINCE IT SLIDES AND THE SEAT IS THEREFORE NOT IN PLACE FOR LONG: THAT IS NOT VERY SAFE. I BOUGHT A SPECIAL CAR SEAT WITH A REAR TETHER THAT CAN ANCHOR FROM THE REAR OF THE SEAT TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR, BUT THE NISSAN SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT INSTALL IT; THEY DIDN'T WANT TO ASSUME ANY RISK IF THE FRAME COULD NOT HOLD THE SEAT IN PLACE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. HAD I KNOW I WAS GOING TO HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM, I WOULD HAVE CHOSEN A DIFFERNT CAR; ONE IN WHICH A CHILD SEAT WAS MORE SECURE IN.
Recall campaigns
102V171000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator
Jun 24, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ONE OF THE DIODES USED IN THE ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHEN BUILT. THIS CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE DIODE AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD MELT THE PLASTIC HOUSING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE COMBUSTIBLE GAS EMITTED BY THE MELTING PLASTIC DOES NOT DISPERSE DUE TO AIR FLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT COULD IGNITE AND IN TURN IGNITE THE FAN GUIDE IN THE ALTERNATOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.