RoadVitals

1993 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.
78
Latest Mar 12, 2018
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.
6
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.
1
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.
13
13 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 78 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Nissan Maxima, most frequently naming the airbags, visibility and brakes categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 27 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

6 campaigns 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

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.

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.

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

Safety investigations

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

EA93024ClosedEngineering Analysis

INADVER.AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

Opened Oct 8, 1993
Closed Jan 25, 1994

There is no summary currently available

AIR BAGSLed to recall 94V007000

Recent owner complaints

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

Seat belts
Filed Mar 12, 2018

MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ONLY WORKS SOMETIMES. IT IS MOSTLY STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION (IT DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY SLIDE TO THE REAR, SECURE POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED AND ENGINE IS ON). OCCASIONALLY, IT WILL WORK AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO, BUT DOES NOT THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME.

NHTSA ID
11078794
Incident
Feb 2, 2018
Mileage
246,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 10, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK LEAKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 95V244000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 128,000. UPDATED 07/09/13*LJ UPDATED 07/16/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID
10516113
Incident
Jun 10, 2013
Mileage
128,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 31, 2007

I HAVE A 1993 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE FILLING MY GAS TANK UP IN JAN 07 I NOTICE A STEADY STREAM OF GAS LEAKING FROM THE TANK. I THOUGHT MAYBE I JUST OVER FILLED IT AND IT HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES. I TOOK IT TOO SEVERAL SHOPS AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD. SO I DON'T FILL IT UP ANYMORE AND PRAY EACH AND EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR. I SAW THAT MY CAR HAS A RECALL AND TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER IN MY AREA. THEY SAW THAT THE CAR HAD A RECALL BUT SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX THE CAR AND TRIED TO TALK ME INTO BUYING A NEW ONE WHICH IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ME RIGHT NOW. I LOVE MY CAR IS STILL RUNS GREAT, I JUST DON'T WANT TO DIE IN IT. I'M AFRAID IF I GET HIT FROM BEHIND THAT THE CAR WILL EXPLODE CAN YOU HELP ME? I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER 3/26/07 IN ORLANDO, FL ON COLONIAL DR. THANKS IN ADVANCE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10186620
Incident
Jan 19, 2007
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 7, 2006

FUEL SYSTEM:FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE. FUEL INJECTORS HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE RECENT PAST. WAS ADVISED BY NISSAN FACTORY TRAINED MECHANIC AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE WIRING HARNESS AND THAT NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A "SECRET" ADVISORY TO THEIR SERVICE PERSONNEL ABOUT THIS POSSIBLY BEING A FIRE HAZARD, BUT HAVE NOT SEEN ANY PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPED AFTER I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A STALLING PROBLEM THAT WAS FINALLY DECIDED TO BE THE ECM MODULE. THE ECM MODULE WAS REPLACED COSTING OVER $1000, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. NISSAN MECHANIC THEN REPLACED A WIRE IN THE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS, BUT RETURNED. HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY INDEPENDENT MECHANICS THAT THE FACTORY INSTALLED HARNESS (VE30DE ENGINE) IS TOO CLOSE TO THE REAR EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING WIRES TO FAIL, AND THAT NISSAN HAS A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM FOR FREE, BUT CAN'T FIND ANY INFORMATION. CAN YOU HELP? *JB

NHTSA ID
10161853
Incident
Jul 6, 2006
Mileage
102,321 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 8, 2005

MY CAR WAS LOSING POWER. CAR WOULD NOT START AND MY RADIO HASN'T WORKED FOR THE LAST YEAR. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY ALTERNATOR IN MY NISSAN MAXIMA FOR THE THIRD TIME IN APPROXIMATELY 6 YEARS. WHEN I PURCHASED THE LAST ALTERNATOR ON 11/02/05 FROM ADVANCE AUTO PARTS. I RECEIVED A PRINTOUT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL FACTORY SERVICE BULLETINS PRODUCED BY NISSAN TO CORRECT CHARGING SYSTEM PROBLEMS ON MAXIMAS. I'VE CALLED NISSAN AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO TYPE OF RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEMS ARE POOR CONNECTIONS: THE BATTERY WIRE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CARRY ALL THE CURRENT FROM THE ALTERNATOR TO THE BATTERY. THE SYMPTOMS OF THIS INCLUDE ALTERNATOR OVERHEATING, ALTERNATOR FAILURE, AND ELECTRICAL POWER LOSS. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS POOR CHARGE AT IDLE: SOME MAXIMAS DO NOT CHARGE WELL AT IDLE, EVEN THOUGH THE ALTERNATOR IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I BELIEVE THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO PUT THESE VEHICLES ON A RECALL NOTICE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10142219
Incident
Nov 2, 2005
Mileage
77,450 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 30, 2005

RECALL CAMPAIGN 95V244000 CONCERNING FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY: PIPE FILLER NECK: WHILE REFILLING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICE THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FILLER NECK TUBE ONTO THE GROUND. CONSUMER NOTICED THIS RECALL INFORMATION ON NHTSA WEBSITE AND CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10117096
Incident
Mar 28, 2005
Mileage
105,200 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 30, 2005

SERVICE BRAKES MAKE A PULSATING SOUD WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED AS IF THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAD VEHICLE SERVICED BY TWO DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALERSHIP WITH NO SATISFACTION. 1ST DEALERSHIP REPLACED FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS.2ND DEALERSHIP BLED HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. PROBLEM NOT CORRECTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10108242
Incident
Nov 20, 2004
Mileage
134,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 7, 2005

WHILE PARKING TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. CONSUMER MANAGED TO CHANGE. GOODYEAR, P205/65R15. *AK.....TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 12000 MIKES ON IT. EXAMINED SIDEWALL AREA FOR SIGNS ON EXTERNAL DAMAGE- NO SCOFF OR ABRASION AREAS VISIBLE. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONE HOUR AND 60 MPH BEFORE FAILURE. CONSUME RHAS NEVER SEEN Z TIRE FAIL LIKE THIS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10107024
Incident
Dec 25, 2004
Mileage
158,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

NTB08-097L

STEERING

DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB23-049

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These recommendations are expected to promote uniformity during the connection process, therefore reducing the number of incorrect “Test with DCA” and “Replace” results. HINT: If 12 volt batteries are allowed to discharge for a prolonged period of time, battery life may be drastically reduced. This condition may lead to premature battery replacement and customer dissatisfaction. IMPORTANT:  CPX-900 is now an accepted testing tool to use along with or in place of the DSS-5000  CPX-900 operating instructions are found at: https://nissancpx900.midtronics.com/  DSS-5000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandss5000.midtronics.com/  DCA-8000 is now a required testing tool to be used for all warranty replacement decisions. The DCA-8000 is also a more efficient charger than previously available, and will charge any available 12 volt lead acid battery safely and accurately as long as all precautions and inputs are made correctly. The DCA-8000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandca8000.midtronics.com/

NTB23-053

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or severe personal injury, do not directly spray Silicone-based lubricant or grease, or inadvertently overspray Silicone-based lubricant or grease onto any interior electrical components. These types of lubricants can be detrimental to the proper operation of electrical components.

NTB13-107F

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB16-003C

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB09-081J

STRUCTURE; VISIBILITY

WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

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
1993Viewing786161.1
19921105262.7
1991764054.0
19901064053.2
1989624055.9
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.