RoadVitals

1987 Nissan Maxima

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
176
Latest Nov 27, 2012
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Nov 1, 1995
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
100
6 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 176 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Nissan Maxima, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
95I006000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Nov 1, 1995
686,649 units potentially affected
The defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WHICH COULD LEAK.
The risk: FUEL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: NISSAN DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA94018ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE

Opened Jun 23, 1994
Closed Nov 8, 1995

AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.SERVICE CAMPAIGN 95I-006.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEMLed to recall 95I006000
DP92009ClosedDefect Petition

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

Opened Apr 20, 1992
Closed Aug 20, 1992

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 176
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Nov 27, 2012
Fire reported

1987 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO VEHICLE FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, ONE OF THE PASSENGERS STARTED TO SMELL BURNING WIRE. SOON AFTER HIS WIFE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO GET TO A SAFE SPOT AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE HE WAS INFORMED THE INJECTORS DID NOT WANT TO SHUT DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR AN INJECTOR PROBLEM AND THE RECALL HAD NEVER BEEN PERFORMED.

NHTSA ID
10486801
Incident
Nov 1, 2012
Fuel system
Filed Nov 7, 2007

FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10208189
Incident
Nov 6, 2007
Mileage
13,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Oct 20, 2004

AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CABLE POPPED OUT AND IT WOULD'NT MOVE. NOW IT ONLY WORKS MANUALLY. *JB

NHTSA ID
859548
Incident
Mar 31, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Jun 30, 2004
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED AND THEN WAS PARKED DUE TO FUEL LEAKING. ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED FUEL LEAK DUE TO FAULTY FUEL LINE AND FUEL INJECTION.*AK

NHTSA ID
10079091
Incident
Apr 30, 2004
Mileage
178,276 mi
Seat belts
Filed Dec 4, 2003

DRIVER;S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION; STOPPED HALF WAY. NOW IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10049229
Incident
Jun 7, 2003
Mileage
150,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 3, 2003

RE: 1987 NISSAN MAXIM I OWN 3 OF THESE VEHICLES. IN 2 OF THEM, THE PRESSURIZED FUEL LINE COMING OUT OF THE GAS TANK HAS FAILED, ALLOWING STRONG FUEL VAPORS TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS LINE IS DIRECTLY UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT AND RAW FUEL ALSO IS ABLE TO FLOW UNDER THE SEAT. *LA

NHTSA ID
10045344
Incident
Sep 15, 2003
Mileage
155,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 25, 2002

FUEL INLECTORS LEAKING, THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS AN INJECTOR RECALL. (RECALL NOT LIFETIME WARRANTY)-DEALER MADE THE REPAIRS *SCC

NHTSA ID
567954
Seat belts
Filed May 3, 2002

SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE IS INOPERABLE. DOESNOT MOVE WHEN OPENING DOOR. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
8009152

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

NTB-09-101

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

NISSAN: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ON/FLASHING. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED ON 08-11-2011. *KB

NTB-09-129

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

NISSAN: VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT. WHEN REPLACING THE EVAP CANISTER VENT CONTROL VALVE FOR REASON: USE THE ONE LISTED ON PAGE 2; FOR VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE SECTION OF THE ELECTRONIC SERVICE MANUALS (ESM; WHEN INSTALLING THE NEW VALVE, DO NOT ADD ANY LUBE TO ITS O RING; FOR FRONTIER (D40 SERIES) ONLY, INSTALL THE PROTECTOR LISTED IN PARTS INFORMATION. *PE INCLUDES 2005-09 FRONTIER. UPDATED 12/8/10. *PE

NTB-09-030

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

NISSAN: THE 12 VOLT BATTERY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IS REQUIRED TO STAY CONNECTED WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO VEHICLE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS/CAUTIONS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Nissan Maxima by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023100—
2022500—
2021300—
2020211044.5
2019181050.4
2018362155.1
20171034162.5
20161428159.4
2015100—
2014950040.1
2013620034.2
20121070036.8
20111060036.5
20102751038.8
20093391038.4
2008780140.7
20071291140.9
20065762044.8
20059482045.1
20041,4252149.3
20032064153.8
20022059159.5
20011727154.2
20003603051.0
19991654050.3
19981136057.5
19971026163.2
1996965054.9
19951525363.1
1994895052.5
1993786161.1
19921105262.7
1991764054.0
19901064053.2
1989624055.9
1988601263.3
1987Viewing1761265.2
1986602270.7
1985542271.4
1984300251.1
1983502—
1982402—
1981000—
1980000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.