1992 Nissan Maxima

Routine

Owners filed 110 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility › power window devices and controls. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags › Frontal9
7010
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline8
010
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine8
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System7
000
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls6
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap6
000
Seats4
101
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear3
000
Fuel System, Gasoline3
000
Vehicle Speed Control2
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

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.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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 Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

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.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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 Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

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.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap95V244000
Filed Dec 15, 1995747,000 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A MIXTURE OF MUD AND SALT TO GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND WHEEL HOUSING. THE TRAPPED MUD AND SALT CAN RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND THE WHEEL HOUSING.

Risk. SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE MAY RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. IN ADDITION, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS MOUNTED TO THE WHEEL HOUSING AND IN THE EVENT OF SIGNIFICANT CORROSION, AND THE MOUNTING COULD FAIL IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN DEPENDING UPON THE EXTENT OF THE CORROSION.

Air Bags › Frontal94V007000
Filed Jan 12, 199465,000 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. IN SOME UNDERBODY IMPACTS THE AIRBAG SENSOR ACTIVATES AND SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE AIRBAG, LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG TO INFLATE.

Risk. AIRBAG INFLATION MAY OCCUR WHEN IT IS NOT NEEDED TO PROTECT THE DRIVER AND MAY RESULT IN MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER FROM THE INFLATING AIRBAG.

Remedy. A TUNNEL SENSOR OF DIFFERENT DESIGN WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 8, 2013NJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL SPEWED FROM THE FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 95V244000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 22, 2010188,419 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ADDING GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK HE SMELLED FUEL AND NOTICED IT LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VENT HOLES IN THE FUEL TANK WERE CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188419. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 188700.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 22, 200892,480 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A FUEL LEAK ON THE PIPE THAT CONNECTS TO THE GAS TANK DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THERE WAS ONLY ONE PERSON THERE WHO COULD PERFORM THE REPAIR. NISSAN HAS THE NECESSARY PART AND THE CONTACT CAN REPAIR IT HIMSELF, BUT THEY REFUSE TO SELL HIM THE PART. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR TWO MONTHS. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,480.

Seat BeltsCrash2 injured
Filed May 31, 2008139,000 milesOK

MY DAUGHTER OVER-CORRECTED AND ROLLED THE CAR 4 TIMES, WHICH SHE WAS EJECTED ON THE FIRST ROLL, BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT FAILED TO HOLD HER IN. SHE HAS MARKS ON HER NECK SHOWING WHERE THE SEATBELT BURNED HER BEFORE FAILING TO HOLD HER INSIDE THE CAR. SHE HAS OVER 200 STITCHES IN HER BODY, LUCKILY NO BROKEN BONES OR INTERNAL INJURIES. IT APPEARS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR CAME OPEN ALSO, POSSIBLY THE EXIT POINT, SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE SHE WAS EJECTED FROM. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed May 1, 2008PA

1992 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH CORROSION ON REAR WHEEL HOUSING AREA. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS CORROSION CAUSED THE FAILURE THE LEFT REAR SEATBELT RETRACTOR. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE RESULTED OF A RECALL THAT WAS PERFORMED. RECALL 95V244000. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, THERE HAD BEEN SOME INSTANCES WHEN IT APPEARED THAT THE REPAIRED AREAS HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY SEALED PERMITTING MUD AND SALT TO BE RETAINED AND THUS PRODUCING CORROSION. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED IN DEC 2002. THE CONSUMER STATED OVER FOUR YEARS FOLLOWING THE REPAIR, HE FOUND SIGNIFICANT CORROSION DAMAGED. THE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 7, 200887,000 milesGA

ENGINE SHUTS OF INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING FOR BRIEF MOMENTS (5-10 SEC.) SOMETIMES IN ISOLATED SINGLE EVENTS, SOMETIMES IN CLUSTERS. ENGINE COMPLETELY LOSES POWER THEN RETURNS. DASHBOARD AND RADIO CONTINUE TO WORK AS IF IT IS NOT ELECTRICAL. FEELS LIKE A FUEL DELIVERY PROBLEM. IT'S VERY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY OR WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC! NO CODES SHOW ON COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS. REPLACED FUEL FILTER AND COMPUTER. WHILE SEARCHING THE NET I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. NO KNOWN FIXES. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 2, 2007800 milesAZ

TL* - THE CONTACT SPENT OVER $3000.00 ON THE 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE HAD A VARIETY OF FAILURES FOR THE PAST YEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED ,BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED PROPERLY. ON 1/2/07 THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, AND THAT HE NEEDED TO GET A TOW TRUCK AND COME BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. THE REPAIR SHOP PUT A NEW ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE, AND IT FELT AS IF THE ENGINE HAS BEEN IN THE CAR OVER 10 YEARS NOW. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed Dec 27, 2006CA

I HAVE READ WHERE MANY NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH LEAKS IN THE FUEL FILLER TUBE DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION (BETWEEN '88 AND'94). I HAVE ALSO SEEN THAT NISSAN IS VERY SELECTIVE IN DECIDING WHICH CARS ARE COVERED BASED ON THE VIN. I ALSO SEE THAT MANY HAVE ASKED FOR HELP FROM A MR. LARRY LONG AT THE NHTSA AND THAT'S HE'S BEEN VERY HELPFUL. I AM FACING A SIMILAR SITUATION NOW. I KNOW THERE IS A LEAK IN MY FILLER TUBE, AND NISSAN SAYS MY 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA GXE DOES NOT HAVE ANY OUTSTANDING RECALLS. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED, AND THEY DID NOT TELL ME IF IT HAD BEEN FIXED OR NOT. IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET THIS MESSAGE TO MR. LARRY LONG OR WHOMEVER IS WORKING ON SITUATIONS LIKE THIS? A LEAK IN THE FUEL FILLER TUBE IS POTENTIALLY VERY SERIOUS -- AND EXPENSIVE TO FIX. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP AND CONSIDERATION. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 20, 2006154,182 milesCA

I HAD BOUGHT A CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP IN SAN DIEGO AND IT WAS DEFECTIVE FROM DAY ONE. THE DEALERSHIP SELLS ALL CARS AS IS SO I TOOK IT BACK TO HIM THE NEXT DAY TO HAVE HIM REPAIR IT. WE WENT BACK AND FORTH FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR AND HE ALWAYS SAID HE NEVER FOUND A PROBLEM WITH IT BUT YET, HE SEEMED TO ALWAYS BE DOING SOME KIND OF REPAIR. FINALLY, THE ENGINE BLEW AND I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO HIM. HE HAD IT FOR ONE MONTH AND SAID HE CAN'T FIX IT. HE SAID HE WOULD SELL ME ANOTHER ONE AND TAKE $1000 OFF THE OTHER ONE IF I COME UP WITH $700 TO PUT DOWN ON ANOTHER. I DID, HE SAID THIS CAR HAD A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR'S RPM'S KEEP ON GOING UP TO ABOUT 5000-6000 UNTIL IT FINALLY KICKS INTO GEAR. NOW HE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS ONE TOO. WHAT CAN I DO? *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed Oct 8, 2004190,000 milesMA

ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO, I HAD TO FIX A PROBLEM WITH A LEAK IN MY "FILLER PIPE" (GAS). I HAD DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM WHILE FILLING MY GAS TANK AT A LOCAL STATION. I HAD PREVIOUSLY READ NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 95V244000 AND THEREFORE BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO NISSAN DEALER WITH THE PRINT OUT OF THE RECALL TO GET THE SITUATION FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR 2 DAYS AND STILL HAD NOT STARTED ANY WORK ON IT... APPARENTLY THEY CONTACTED NISSAN WHO CLAIMED THEIR WAS NO RECALL ON MY CAR. I CONTACTED NISSAN MYSELF BOTH VIA EMAIL AND PHONE AND GOT THE SAME ANSWER FROM THEM... THAT NO RECALL EXISTED. SO I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY REGULAR REPAIR SHOP AND HAD THE ISSUE FIXED. I SEE THE RECALL IS STILL POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE. DO YOU THINK I SHOULD TRY AND CONTEST THIS REPAIR WITH NISSAN... OR COULD I EVEN CONTINUE TO INSIST THERE IS A RECALL IN EXISTENCE ON MY 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA? I ALSO WANTED TO POINT OUT ANOTHER PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIP & NISSAN HAD WITH MY CAR... THEY TELL ME THAT MY VIN IS INVALID WHICH YOUR SITE DID TO, WHEN I TRIED TO SUBMIT IT. YOU SITE CLAIMS THAT "DIGIT" #9 WAS INVALID. EVEN THE DEALERSHIP READ MY VIN THE SAME WAY I DO : [XXX], ALTHOUGH, I HAD TO SUBMIT A ZERO FOR AN "O" TO GET THE VIN TO GO THROUGH ON THIS WEBSITE. DIGIT #9 DEFINITELY LOOKS LIKE AN "O" ON MY VIN. THANK YOU, -[XXX]. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Seat Belts › FrontCrash2 injured
Filed Oct 7, 2004MS

I WAS THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IN A 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A TREE. I WAS WEARING MY LAP AND PASSIVE SHOULDER RESTRAINT. THE PASSIVE SHOULDER RESTRAINT CRUSHED MY LARYNX. *NM

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Oct 30, 2003130,000 milesTN

BOTH BACK WINDOWS FELL / STUCK DOWN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED, AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO FIND THE PART. I WENT TO/ CALLED ALL JUNK YARDS/ AUTO SHOPS IN TOWN, NO ONE HAD THE PART. IT IS AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM.*AK

Fuel System, Other › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Oct 30, 2003150,000 milesTN

WHEN IDLING/ DRIVING A STRONG GAS SMELL FILLS THE CAR. IT IS ALMOST UNBEARABLE. I HAVE A TODDLER AND THIS PROBLEM WORRIES ME GREATLY.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed Oct 8, 2003PA

FUEL FILLER & CORROSION REPAIR RECALL.*MR. PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (95V244000) THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CORROSION AS STATED IN THE RECALL AND THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY . THE CONSUMER IS NOW SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT &696.87. ALSO THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS CONTAINED RUST. *JB

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Sep 12, 200346,115 milesCA

WHILE TRAVELING ON A SIDE STREET AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON THE FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. *AK THE FUEL SYSTEM LEAKED. THE VEHICLE TOTALED. (THE FIRE MOBILE PROP OUTSIDE) THE PROBLEM OCCURRED IN THE ENGINE GEAR AND THE WHEEL AREA. (SHORT CIRCUIT) *SCC *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed Aug 5, 2003174,000 milesNC

MY 1992 MAXIMA IS LEAKING FUEL NEAR THE FILLER TUBE. THE DEALER SAYS THE FUEL FILLER TUBE IS CORRODED AND THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACEMENT. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE MAXIMA YEARS 89-94 HAVE A RECALL FOR THE CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE, BUT ONLY FOR CERTAIN STATES (NC IS NOT INCLUDED). NISSAN REFUSES TO PAY BECAUSE THEY SAY MY VIN IS NOT IN THEIR DATABASE FOR THE RECALL, BUT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I DO NOT SEE HOW THE REGISTERED STATE OF THE CAR AFFECTS THE RECALL STATUS. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN WITH WEATHER SIMILAR TO THE STATES LISTED ON THE RECALL.*AK

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices
Filed Jul 2, 2003AZ

WHEN GAS TANK IS A QUARTER OR LESS FULL, GAS FUMES ARE PUMPED INTO GARAGE UNTIL IT REEKS OF FUMES. IT SMELLS STRONG ENOUGH TO WARRENT CAUTION WITH IGNITION SOURCES AND IS SURELY AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed Apr 28, 2003TN

IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR A MIXTURE OF MUD AND SALT TO GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND WHEEL HOUSING. THE TRAPPED MUD AND SALT CAN RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND THE WHEEL HOUSING. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. RECALL # 95 V 244 000

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System
Filed Sep 30, 2002CA

CONSUMER STATES HAS HAD TO REPLACE FUEL INJECTOR 2X. CONSUMER STATES FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM IS FAULTY. NLM

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 24, 200250,000 milesSC

LH TOURING, P205/65R15, DOT UNKNOWN, REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT WITH 50000 MILES ON A 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA. TREAD SEPARATION ON PASSENGER REAR TIRE AT 70 MPH, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.*JB

20 of 110 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20231000Routine
20225010Routine
20213000Routine
202022100Routine
201918100Routine
201836210Routine
2017103420Routine
2016142840Routine
20151000Routine
201496010Routine
201362010Routine
2012107020Routine
2011106010Routine
2010275120Above average
2009339120Above average
200878000Routine
2007129110Routine
2006576240Above average
20059482100Above average
20041,4252162Fatalities reported
2003206421Fatalities reported
2002205906Fatalities reported
2001172740Routine
2000360362Fatalities reported
1999165450Routine
19981136121Fatalities reported
19971026160Routine
199696530Routine
1995152550Routine
199489530Routine
199378640Routine
1992 — this page110530Routine
199176420Routine
1990106430Routine

Compare every Maxima year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.