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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.

About this comparison →
113Owner complaints

Model-year median: 99

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
152
199596
1996102
1997113
1998165
1999360
2000172
2001
Compare all Maxima years →

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

What owners reported most

Air Bags
24Electrical System
24Service Brakes, Hydraulic
10Structure
8Power Train
6
All reported categories
Suspension
6Tires
6Visibility
6Engine And Engine Cooling
5Unknown Or Other
5Vehicle Speed Control
5Fuel System, Gasoline
4Steering
4Equipment
3Child Seat
2Engine
2Seat Belts
2Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Other
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Parking Brake
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineFire

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT STARTED SMOKING, CONSUMER CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED A FIRE. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, AND VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATED THAT FRONT FUEL INJECTOR WAS LEAKING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8002309

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2001
Air BagsFuel System, Gasoline

1) AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON ON 2/26/1999. DEALER FIXED PROBLEM. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ON 7/21/2001. STILL NEEDS TO BE FIXED. 2) FUEL GAUGE MORE THAT 25-50% INACCURATE, HAS RANDOMLY OCCURED 6 TIMES SINCE 1999. *AK

NHTSA ODI #750700

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

SEVEN REPAIR ATTEMPTS FOR FUEL GAUGE TO DATE 6/1999. *AK

NHTSA ODI #707596

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE. *YC

NHTSA ODI #607201

Official recalls

1

02V171000 · 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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.