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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

Visibility complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2000
Air BagsVisibility

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED FLASHING DURING OPERATION. TOOK TO DEALER. DEALER FIRST DIAGNOSED THAT AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. DEALER NEXT REPORTED THAT RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT; RIGHT SIDE MODULE WAS NOR AVAILABLE. DEALER PUT ORIGINAL CONTROL UNIT BACK IN AUTO. AIR BAG LIGHT NO LONGER FLASHED…

Read full complaint

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED FLASHING DURING OPERATION. TOOK TO DEALER. DEALER FIRST DIAGNOSED THAT AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. DEALER NEXT REPORTED THAT RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT; RIGHT SIDE MODULE WAS NOR AVAILABLE. DEALER PUT ORIGINAL CONTROL UNIT BACK IN AUTO. AIR BAG LIGHT NO LONGER FLASHED. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT AIR BAG FAILURE NO LONGER EXISTED. UPON MY NEXT USE OF AUTO, AIR BAG LIGHT WAS AGAIN FLASHING CONTINUOUSLY. SECOND DEFECT, HEATER FAN TICKING NOISE; DEALER INSTALLED INSULATOR TO DEADEN THE NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #734905

Mileage unknown · May 17, 1999
Visibility

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IS DESIGNED DEFECTIVE FROM NISSAN. ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES THE WINDSHIELD EITHER PITS, CHIPS OR CRACKS THE GLASS. IN MY OPINION, THERE WILL BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE, POSSIBLY LEADING TO INJURIES OR A FATAL ACCIDENT. THANK YOU. ROY OXENRIDER 5/17/99

NHTSA ODI #706565

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 1998
SuspensionVisibility

NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER.

NHTSA ODI #701363

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 1998
Visibility

VEHICLE GLASS HAS HAZY,MILKY PATTERN ON EXTERIOR OF GLASS CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY DURING NIGHT DRIVING AND DURING RAIN.

NHTSA ODI #542385

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1998
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM INSTALLED FOR LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD DRIVERS. THE WIPER ON RIGHT SIDE HAS A WIPER THREE INCHES LARGER THAN DRIVER'S SIDE, RESULTING IN LITTLE/NO VISIBILITY FOR DRIVER DURING HEAVY RAINFALL.

NHTSA ODI #781256

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 1998
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED. NO VISABILITY DURING HEAVY RAINFALL; VEHICLE CAN'T BE DRIVEN AS IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS TO PASSENGERS AND ANYONE ELSE.

NHTSA ODI #781000

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.