Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 113 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Nissan Maxima. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–25 of 113 · page 1 of 5
The contact owns a 1998 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while attempting to lift the vehicle onto a jack, the rocker panels started to cave in due to severe corrosion and rusting. The cause of the corrosion was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
I WISH TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUT-OF-POCKET COST OF REPAIR AND INSTALLATION OF NEW PARTS FOR THE VEHICLES ALTERNATOR HAVING CAUGHT ON FIRE. ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 24, 2014, MY REQUEST WAS SUBMITTED TO NISSAN OF NORTH PER NISSAN MANUFACTURERS RECALL INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL ISSUED IN 2001 WAS STILL OPEN ON THE VEHICLE BY VIN NUMBER. ALL PERTINENT DOCUMENTATION WAS PROVIDED BY FAX AND PHONE TO THE NISSAN SAFETY COMPLAINT UNIT. AS INSTRUCTED BY THE INVESTIGATING AGENT, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND REIMBURSEMENT. IT HAS BEEN FIVE WEEKS (SINCE DECEMBER 23, 2014) OF DELAY AND BROKEN PROMISES, AND I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT. (THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND BEGAN TO SMOKE; AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE GARAGE, THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE AS AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO START THE VEHICLE.) PLEASE PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT OF REPAIR COSTS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PRESENCE OF FIRE COMING FROM THE ALTERNATOR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
I JUST PURCHASED A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA, WENT TO CHANGE OUT THE FRONT BUMPER SKIN AND FENDERS AND AS I TOOK OFF THE BUMPER SKIN THE LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT IS RUSTED BEYOND BELIEF AND ONLY ONE OF THE BOLTS ON THE CROSS MEMBER HOLDING UP THE WHOLE ENGINE/TRANS AND THAT ONE IS RUSTED TOO. THERE IS A BIG HOLE WHERE THE RUST IS AND ITS AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY AS WELL AS HANDLING OF THIS CAR. I'M ACTUALLY SURPRISED THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAVEN'T FALLEN OUT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR ALREADY. THIS IS A PAIN TO FIX AND EXPENSIVE, I ALSO HAVE DONE LOTS OF RESEARCH ON THIS AND A WHOLE LOT OF THEM HAVE SAME ISSUE. WHAT CAN/ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS? *JS
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT NISSAN MAXIMA'S RUSTING AND DETERIORATING RADIATOR SUPPORT (LOWER TIE BAR) THAT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM THE MID 90'S THREW TODAY'S CARS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND IT SHOULD EXTEND TO ALL CARS STILL BEING DRIVEN TODAY. I HAVE PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO MY 98 NOT KNOWING OF THIS DEFECT. THE YEAR OF THE CAR HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS PROBLEM, SINCE IT IS CONTINUING ON BRAND NEW CARS WITH AS LITTLE AS 50,000 MILES ON THEM. AS A TAX PAYING, CAR BUYER. I BELIEVE IF THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO FIX THESE ISSUES. THEN YOU NEED TO FORCE THEM TO DO THE RIGHT THING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE AIR CONDITIONER BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE A/C CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
I FAILED STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE MY ENGINE CORE SUPPORT IS ROTTED. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON HERE WHO HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING IN THIS MODEL CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH AND TRAVELED OVER A PATCH OF ICE. THE VEHICLE THEN SPUN AROUND AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT CRASHED HEAD FIRST INTO AN UNKNOWN OBJECT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED KNEE AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE WERE PRESENT ON SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE SERVICED TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
WHEN WE BOUGHT OUR NISSAN AT 96648 MILES, THERE WAS REMARKABLY LITTLE RUST UNDERNEATH. THE ALTERNATOR WENT OUT ON 10-12-12 AND WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AFTER FINDING THAT THE CORE SUPPORT FOR THE MOTOR IS RUSTED AND ROTTED OUT. FURTHER RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED IN THIS MODEL OF CAR FOR MANY YEARS. IF WE HAD KNOWN THAT THIS CAR WAS SO UNSAFE WE WOULD NEVER HAVE PURCHASED IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. TOYOTA HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THEIR PICKUP TRUCKS AND THEY WERE BUYING BACK THE TRUCKS FOR LARGE SUMS OF MONEY. WHY ISN'T NISSAN DOING / BEING FORCED TO DO THE SAME? WE EXPECTED ANOTHER 50,000 MILES OUT OF THIS CAR AND NOW IT IS WORTHLESS. THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THERE HAS TO BE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. A MAJOR STRUCTURAL COMPONENT SHOULD BE THE LAST THING TO CORRODE. *TR
ENGINE CORE SUPPORT ROTTED RUSTED AND SPLIT IN HALF. ENGINE AND RADIATOR COULD FALL OUT AND CAUSE CRASH. THIS IS A NYS VEHICLE. *TR
I HAVE A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE ALL SIX COILS, MAF MASS AIRFLOW, ALL SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, ALL THREE O2 SENSORS IT STALLS, RUNS ROUGH, AND CUTS OFF. NOW IT WILL NOT START. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND NOONE SEEMS TO WANT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES THE CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING INCLUDING ME. SEEMS LIKE NISSAN NEEDS A RECALL ON THESE PARTS IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE CAR TO SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. *TR
1998 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH RUSTED AND FRACTURED FRONT RADIATOR/ENGINE MOTOR MOUNT SUPPORT STRUT. THE ENGINE IS NOW UNSTABLE AND INCREASING RATTLING FROM BENEATH THE HOOD, ESPECIALLY ON BUMPY ROADS. THE CAR DOES NOT APPEAR SAFE TO DRIVE. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED RELATIVELY RECENTLY AND THIS ISSUE WAS NOT APPARENT ON INSPECTION AT TIME OF PURCHASE. *TR
1998 NISSAN MAXIMA SE AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING. COMPUER TELLS ME IT IS THE RT FRONT AIRBAG. *TR
FRONT OF FRAME AT ENGINE ROTTED OUT,MOTOR FALLING OUT OF CAR. *TR
WAS DRIVING A (BOUGHT NEW) 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH OPTIONAL SIDE AIR BAGS ON LEATHER SEATS IN APR 2003. THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER A SIDE IMPACT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ON FRONT BUMPER AND LEFT FRONT WHEEL. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY ACCIDENT. I SUFFER FROM NECK INJURY FROM HITTING THE DRIVER DOOR PILLAR (BY SEAT BELT ADJUSTER). HAD CERVICAL FUSION OF C4 & C5 IN THE NECK. NOW SUFFER A LIFETIME OF PAIN AND NUMBNESS. *TR
AFTER RECLINING MY SEAT, THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LAMP STARTED TO BLINK AND HAS REMAINED BLINKING EVER SINCE. AFTER DIAGNOSING THE SIDE AIRBAG MODULE IN THE SEAT TO BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I FOUND A NISSAN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, NTB00-043, APPLYING TO ALL 1998-1999 NISSAN MAXIMA VEHICLES, WHICH STATES THAT THE SIDE AIRBAG MODULES FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEATS ARE TO BE REPLACED WITH NEW UPDATED ONES THAT REPLACE THE SIDE AIRBAG MODULES AND THE SEAT-SUB HARNESS THAT THE MODULES CONNECT TO. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING SAFETY DEFECT IN THE SIDE AIRBAG MODULE'S HARNESS. THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN STATES TO ROUTE THE NEW HARNESS EXACTLY AS THE OLD HARNESS WAS ROUTED, THEREFORE ELIMINATING THE POSSIBILITY OF THE HARNESS ROUTING IN THE SEAT BEING THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN STATES THAT THE SIDE AIRBAG MODULE INSTALLED ORIGINALLY IN THE VEHICLE CONSISTS OF A TWO PIECE HARNESS; THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE WITH A SHORT SECTION OF WIRE THAT CONNECTS INTO A SUB HARNESS THAT IS ROUTED THROUGH THE SEAT, WHERE IT IS CONNECTED TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM CIRCUIT. THE UPDATED SIDE AIRBAG MODULE ELIMINATES THE TWO-PIECE HARNESS SYSTEM, REPAIRING THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT AND THEREFORE ELIMINATING THE WARNING INDICATOR CONSTANTLY FLASHING. THIS REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SIDE AIRBAG MODULES, WHICH IS VERY COSTLY AND THIS ISSUE CREATES A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAIN SYSTEM IF EVER REQUIRED TO BE USED. IN ADDITION, NISSAN DOES NOT OFFER THE SIDE AIRBAG MODULES FOR PURCHASE TO MY EXTENT OF KNOWLEDGE. AFTER CONDUCTING MY OWN RESEARCH ON WEBSITES FOR NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS, THIS APPEARS TO BE AN EXTREMELY COMMON ISSUE THAT OCCURS ON THE 1998-1999 NISSAN MAXIMA VEHICLES. *TR
I HAVE A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA IN 2004 I WENT ON A TRIP HALF WAY DOWN WE STOP AT A BANK, AND WHEN WE GOT BACK IN THE CAR THE AIR BAG LIGHT DID NOT TURN OFF, BUT JUST KEPT BLINKING. UPON RETURNING I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY RESET THE LIGHT AND SAID THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SHOWED A FAULT (OPEN CIRCUIT). I DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT AT THIS POINT. THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AFTER A FEW MONTHS BUT I DID NOT TAKE THE CAR IN AGAIN TILL 2008 AND WANTED TO REPLACE THE PART THAT IS WHEN I FOUND OUT FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SIDE AIRBAGS WITH THIS CERTAIN MODEL. IT WAS A CONNECTION PROBLEM WITH THE CONNECTORS SHE COULD IT A DESIGN PROBLEM. THE SOLUTION WAS THAT THE NEW AIR BAG HAD ONE CONNECTION INSTEAD OF TWO WHICH SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I DID NOT GET IT REPLACE, BECAUSE I FELT THAT IT IS A RECALL ISSUE IF THEY KNEW THAT IT WAS A POOR DESIGN AND I BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE CHANGED OUT AT NO CHARGE ESPECIALLY BEINGING A SAFETY RESTRAINT ISSUE. I ALSO HAD A RECORD THAT CAME WITH THE CAR THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG HAD BEEN REPLACE NOT TO LONG AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, FIGURING THAT WOULD REMEDY THE VEHICLE DEFECT, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS OUT AFTER REPAIR, THE VEHICLE STILL DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,055. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 177,106. UPDATED 5/6/10 *CN UPDATED 07/09/10.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE AGAIN AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $709. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,278 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 2/17/09 *CN UPDATED 02/19/09. *JB
MY CAR IS A NISSAN MAXIMA 1998, IT HAS 120K MILES ON IT. THIS IS MY ONLY MEAN OF TRANSPORTATION; RECENTLY THE CAR JUST WON'T START. I HAVE TO KEEP TRYING SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL IT STARTS. I RECENTLY REPLACED THE 'STARTER' BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENS. I HAVE BEEN READING DIFFERENT INTERNET FORUMS THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS KIND OF PROBLEMS, THE DEALERS CHARGE ABOUT $1,000.00 TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COILS. THIS SINCE TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM, I DO NOT HAVE THIS MONEY. I THINK BECAUSE ON BEHAVE OF ALL PEOPLE HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS CARS. *TR
1988 NISSAN MAXIMA AUTO PART FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RACK AND PINION WENT BAD DUE TO THE INTERNAL SEALS LEAKING FLUID OUT OF THE RUBBER BOOTS AIR BLEED HOLES THAT DID NOT HAVE PROPER INSERTS IN THEM TO CONNECT TO THE HOSE LINE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHIN ONE WEEK OF INSTALLATION. *NJ THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE RACK AND PINION WAS DEFECTIVE. HOWEVER THE MECHANIC STATED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO BAD INSTALLATION. *JB
AIRBAG LIGHT STARTING FLASHING ON MY 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA GLE. DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS SERIOUS, DEALER WAS ABOUT $500 FOR A CHIP TO REPLACE. THIS IS THE SECOND 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS STAY ON CONTINUALLY, WHEN SHE TURNS ON THE HEADLIGHTS THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT TURNS ON AND STAYS ON, WHICH MADE HER VEHICLE APPEAR AS THOUGH IT WAS STOPPING. DURING DAY LIGHT HOURS WHEN SHE PRESSES THE BRAKE THE SIDE LIGHTS TURN ON AND THE RADIO LIGHT DIMS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. HE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF WHEN HE ARRIVED HOME AND IT FAILED TO RESTART. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STRUCK A POTHOLE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE POTHOLE CAUSED HIS VEHICLE TO BECOME OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND RESULTED IN A BENT CV JOINT AXLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 144,000.
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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