RoadVitals

1989 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.
62
Latest Jul 29, 2011
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.
4
Latest May 11, 2009
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.
0
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.
9
9 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 62 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Nissan Maxima, most frequently naming the fuel system, interior & seats and seat belts categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 7 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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
06E026000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Mar 23, 2006
61,944 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 62
Body & structure
Filed Jul 29, 2011

YESTERDAY JULY 18 2011, PASSPORT NISSAN INDICATED TO ME THAT NISSAN IS WILLING TO GIVE ME A $1200, ( TWELVE HUNDRED) FOR THE MAXIMA 1989 THAT YOU HAVE INSPECTED. NISSAN WANTS MY CAR FOR THAT AMOUNT, I MADE A COUNTER OFFER TO HIM. AT ANY RATE I DECIDED ,THAT NISSAN SHOULD JUST FIX MY CAR. THANK YOU, TO: RBITTINGER <[email protected]> SENT: FRI, JUN 24, 2011 10:53 AM SUBJECT: MAXIMA 89 MORNING, FOR YOUR INFORMATION I AM FORWARDING THE FOLLOWING LINKS REGARDING MY MAXIMA 89, SEE YOU TUESDAY THE 28 OF JUNE. THANKS, SUMMARY HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/RECALLS/RECALLSUMMARY.CFM?RCL_CAMPAIGN_ID=95V244000&PROD_ID=11205&MODULETYPE=VEHICLE&MAKE=NISSAN&MODEL=MAXIMA&VEH_MODEL_YEAR=1989&SEARCHTYPE=DRILLDOWN RECALL BULLETIN HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/DOCSERVLET/ARTEMIS/PUBLIC/RECALLS/1995/V/RCMN-95V244-6337.PDF RON SEE PAGES 7 AND 8 ON THIS PDF FILE IT CALLS FOR WHEEL HOUSING AND TRUNK REPAIR HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/DOCSERVLET/ARTEMIS/PUBLIC/RECALLS/1995/V/RC-95V244-NN.PDF

NHTSA ID
10417322
Incident
Jul 18, 2011
Body & structureFuel system
Filed Mar 9, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS CORROSION BETWEEN FUEL FILLER TUBE AND LEFT REAR FENDER AND WHEEL HOUSING. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL 95V244000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK: FILLER PIPE AND CAP. THIS VEHICLE IN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL; HOWEVER THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNTIL OTHER REPAIRS ARE MADE. THE REPAIRS THAT ARE NEEDED BEFORE THE RECALL WILL BE PREFORMED ARE AS FOLLOWS. THE LEFT REAR FENDER AND BOTTOM TRUNK PAN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS ALERTED AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

NHTSA ID
10152332
Incident
Mar 9, 2006
Mileage
193,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 10, 2005

WHILE TURNING THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE ACCELERATING 35MPH, THE CLANKING NOISE ESCALATED LOUDER. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE POWER TRAIN AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACEMENT DUE TO CORROSION. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA ID
10114963
Incident
Mar 10, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Feb 7, 2005

RECALL CAMPAIGN #95V244000 ; CUSTOMER STATES R5002, CORROSION RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. *BF *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10111595
Incident
Feb 1, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Jan 18, 2005

THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING CORROSION FROM THE FILLER PIPE AND GAS TANK. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS GIVEN A FILE NUMBER. TWO WEEKS HAVE GONE BY AND THE OWNER IS UNABLE TO CONTACT ANYONE FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHO CAN ASSIST IN GETTING THIS DEFECT REPAIRED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10107474
Incident
Jan 3, 2005
Mileage
120,000 mi
SteeringTransmission
Filed Sep 3, 2004

CONSUMER COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER ON ITS OWN OUT OF PARK WITHOUT APPLYING FORCE. ALSO, STEERING COLUMN FAILED TO LOCK. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10090402
Incident
Sep 3, 2004
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 23, 2004
Crash reported1 death reported

WHILE BACKING OUT VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER WAS KILLED ON IMPACT. AN AMBULANCE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, AND AN ACCIDENT REPORT WAS ISSUED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10089484
Incident
Aug 23, 2004
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 18, 2004

I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW FROM JACK BIGGER NISSAN. APPROXIMATELY 5 YEARS AFTER THE PURCHASE, IN OUR HOT SUMMERS, I NOTICED THE DIGITAL DASHBOARD (ONE OF THE FEATURES THAT ATTRACTED MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF TO THIS PARTICULAR CAR) STARTED SHOWING HORIZONTAL "STREAKS" ACROSS THE LIGHT PANEL & THE READINGS WOULD FLICKER IN AND OUT. AS THE YEARS PASSED, THE PROBLEM GREW WORSE, TO THE POINT WHERE THE LIGHTS WOULD ACTUALLY GO OUT COMPLETELY! WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED, APPROXIMATELY 1994, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM AND WAS INFORMED THAT, YES, THEY HAD DISCONTINUED USING THESE DIGITAL LIGHTS JUST FOR THAT REASON! UPON INQUIRY TO REPAIR, I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT WOULD COST ROUGHLY (AT THAT TIME) $1200 - $1400 TO INSTALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS REQUIRED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM!!! I HAD THEM SOMETIMES. I AM STILL DRIVING THE CAR AFTER 15 YRS., I NEVER HAVE ANY OF MY DASH LIGHTS - NOT SPEED, OIL, GAS, MILEAGE, CHECK ENGINE, CRUISE CONTROL OR TEMPERATURE; OR ANY OTHER READINGS I'VE LONG FORGOTTEN HAD BEEN THERE. OBVIOUSLY, SPEED AND MY GAS GAUGE ARE THE TWO THINGS I CONSIDER MISSING THE MOST. I CAN KEEP UP WITH THE GAS, I'VE ONLY RUN OUT ONCE, TO MY CREDIT. THE SPEED, HOWEVER, I FEEL IS DANGEROUS. PERHAPS NISSAN DOES NOT CARE IF I GET A TICKET OR TWO FOR BEING OVER THE SPEED LIMIT, SO PERHAPS THAT DANGER IS PERCEIVED AS "ONLY TO ME", AFTERALL, IT'S NOT LIKE THE BRAKES OR TRANSMISSION. I DO NOT AGREE. I HAVE FELT, FROM THE BEGINNING, THAT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS NISSAN'S RESPONSIBILITY. I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER 1989 MAXIMAS ON THE ROAD WITH NO DASH LIGHTS. I HAVE BEEN "IN THE DARK" FOR ABOUT 8 YRS. NOW AND I DO FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THIS FORUM TO EXPLAIN THIS CAR'S PROBLEM, I DID WRITE TO NISSAN CORP. AND THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, JUST TO BE IGNORED. SINCERELY, JOAN L. PELZER. *AK

NHTSA ID
10078454
Incident
Jul 22, 1994

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

NTB99005A

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

KEY VALUE BRAKE PAD SERVICE INFORMATION. *TT

NTB99005

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

SERVICE INFORMATION ON KEY VALUE BRAKE PADS. *TT

NTB95067

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

NEW NON-ASBESTOS REPLACEMENT PADS AND SHOES. *TW

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
1989Viewing624055.9
1988601263.3
19871761265.2
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.