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
What owners actually said
113 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 1999
Air Bags
THE CAR WAS SOLD NEW WITH A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG LIGHT-WE DIDN'T NOTICE IT UNTIL AFTER WE SIGNED THE PURCHASE PAPERS. WE WERE TOLD TO RETURN IT THE NEXT DAY FOR REPAIR! SINCE THEN WE HAVE TRIED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED FOUR ADDITIONAL TIMES, BUT THE LIGHT COMES ON WITHIN AN HOUR OR TWO AFTER WE LEAVE THE SHOP. IT IS NOT CLEAR TO ME IF T…
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THE CAR WAS SOLD NEW WITH A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG LIGHT-WE DIDN'T NOTICE IT UNTIL AFTER WE SIGNED THE PURCHASE PAPERS. WE WERE TOLD TO RETURN IT THE NEXT DAY FOR REPAIR! SINCE THEN WE HAVE TRIED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED FOUR ADDITIONAL TIMES, BUT THE LIGHT COMES ON WITHIN AN HOUR OR TWO AFTER WE LEAVE THE SHOP. IT IS NOT CLEAR TO ME IF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS TRULY FUNCTIONAL.
NHTSA ODI #710230
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 1999
Equipment
THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR IS LOCATED BELOW THE AIR INTAKE AND IS OPEN TO DIRT AND DEBRIS. THIS CLOGGED ON A TRIP, CAUSING FLOODING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND INTERIOR. THE ONLY WARNING IS A YELLOW DASH LIGHT THAT SAYS "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" UPON BLINKING, THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES "DO NOT DRIVE OVER 45 MPH" AND " NO NEED …
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THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR IS LOCATED BELOW THE AIR INTAKE AND IS OPEN TO DIRT AND DEBRIS. THIS CLOGGED ON A TRIP, CAUSING FLOODING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND INTERIOR. THE ONLY WARNING IS A YELLOW DASH LIGHT THAT SAYS "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" UPON BLINKING, THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES "DO NOT DRIVE OVER 45 MPH" AND " NO NEED TO TOW TO DEALER" THE UNIT CAR CONTROL COMPUTER IS IN DIRECT LINE WITH THE WATER FLOW FROM THE EVAPORATOR, AND WHEN IT CLOGGED AND FLOODED SHORTED OUT. THIS LEFT THE CAR FUEL INJECTORS WIDE OPEN..FLOODING THE ENGINE..IF THE ACCELERATOR WAS LET-UP ON AT 45, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STALLED. IN TRAFFIC, CREATINGS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECVIALLY SINCE THE BRAKE LIGHTS DIDN'T TURN ON, AND THE CAR LOSTB ALL POWER..STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. THE GAS FUMES WERE ALMOST OVERCOMING. NEITHER THE OWNERS MANUAL OR THE NISSAN SERVICE INDICATE AT ANY TIME THE NEED TO CLEAN OR PROTECT THIS EVAPORATOR. THE OWNERS MANUAL RE; FLASHING YELLOW LIGHT LEADS ONE TO BELIEVE THE CAT CAN BE DRIVEN SAFELY..IT CANNOT. NISSAN REFUSES TO PAY FOR OR CORRECT THIS LATENT DEFTECT.
NHTSA ODI #710038
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 1999
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE BACKING UP CONSUMER SHIFTED GEAR INTO DRIVE, AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK / LOCKED UP, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION, WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE HITTING GARAGE CABLES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #842113
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 1999
Air BagsCrashInjury
WAS TRAVELING 40MPH & HAD A HEAD-ON COLLISION. AT THE TIME OF IMPACT, NEITHER ONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #843673
Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 1999
Electrical SystemSuspension
AIR SUSPENSION REPLACED TWICE; WIRING HARNESS ALSO REPLACED
NHTSA ODI #708222
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
SEVEN REPAIR ATTEMPTS FOR FUEL GAUGE TO DATE 6/1999. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707596
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 · May 14, 1999
Air Bags
NO DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH AIR BAGS DURING COLLISION WITH ABANDONED VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #545594
Mileage unknown · May 3, 1999
Air BagsCrash
MAJOR FRONTAL ACCIDENT -- NO AIRBAGS (DRIVER OR PASSENGER) DEPLOYED !!!!
NHTSA ODI #706193
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 1999
Child Seat
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 SA…
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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.
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.
1998 Nissan Maxima Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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