1999 Nissan Maxima

Routine

Owners filed 165 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system › ignition. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
79,000 milesMedian miles at failure

89 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System › Ignition38
000
Engine and Engine Cooling13
100
Electrical System12
020
Electrical System › Ignition › Module9
000
Unknown or Other8
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine8
010
Air Bags › Frontal6
401
Power Train › Automatic Transmission5
000
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch5
000
Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control Module5
000

4 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 Lighting › Headlights08E050000
Filed Aug 11, 20081,921 vehiclesK2 Motor Corporation

Defect. K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/RegulatorFire
Filed Sep 3, 201996,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED FLAMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH ICE WATER SHE HAD INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE 1997 AND 1998 MODELS WERE INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS A 1999, SHE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH THE RECALL. AUTONATION NISSAN MARIETTA (925 COBB PKWY SE, MARIETTA, GA 30060, 770-674-6081) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 20, 2017TX

CAR HAD JUST BEEN SHUT OFF FROM RUNNING TO STORE I RAN INSIDE MY HOUSE REAL QUICK CAME BACK OUT TO LEAVE AGAIN BUT CAR DIDN'T START. BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. SMELLED LIKE ELECTRICAL PARTS WERE BURNING SO I OPENED HOOD TO NOTICE FIRE COMING FROM ALTERNATOR. I USED MY SHIRT TO PUT OUT AND DURING INSPECTION OF DAMAGE FOUND THE FIRE BURNED WIRE HARNESSES AND PART OF VALVE COVER ASSEMBLY WHERE OIL CAP IS LOCATED. THIS IS AN ORIGINAL OEM PART AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 118,000 ORIGINAL MILES. FOUND THAT A RECALL WAS DONE ON THE YEARS PRIOR FOR SAME ISSUE BUT DEALER STATED THEY WOULD NOT DO NOTHING DUE TO NO RECALL. ALTERNATOR S DON'T JUST CATCH FIRE...

Air Bags
Filed Aug 21, 2016NY

POSSIBLE "TAKATA RECALL." THESE PARTICULAR MAKE, MODELS AND YEAR, VEHICLES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WHERE THE AIRBAGS HAVE NOT DEPLOYED AFTER HAVE HIGH SPEED ACCIDENTS. I AM VERY SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER AND TWO OTHER SEPARATE AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOPS THAT THE AIR BAGS MUST BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF OVER $500.00, TO INSURE THEIR INTEGRITY AND THAT THEY WILL PROPERLY DEPLOY IN THE UNFORTUNATE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. RIGHT NOW I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO THE FACT THE FAILED AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED! I HAVE SEEN THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY CARS OF THIS SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR THAT HAVE COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME NATURE, EXHIBITING THE SAME AIRBAG FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ANOMALIES AND WORST OF ALL, MANY OF THEM NOT DEPLOYING AFTER HIGH SPEED ACCIDENTS WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE! PLEASE INCLUDE THESE VEHICLES IN THE TAKATA RECALLS, AS IT HAS SHOWN TO HAVE AN SIGNIFICANT MANUFACTURES DEFECT, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY CLAIM SOME LIVES IF NOT ADDRESSED ASAP; PLEASE DO NOT LET ME OR SOMEONE ELSE LOSE THEIR LIFE DUE TO THIS ISSUE NOT BEING ADDRESSED APPROPRIATELY AND IMMEDIATELY! I TRUST THAT THIS INFORMATION WILL LAND ON THE DESK OF SOMEONE WHO WILL ESTABLISH THE FACTS I HAVE PRESENTED HERE TODAY AND TAKE THE PUBLIC'S SAFETY TO HEART AND DON'T LEAVE THIS ISSUE UP TO WHATEVER FATE MAY COME OF IT! THANK YOU FOR HEARING MY VOICE, IT REPRE

Air Bags
Filed Dec 2, 2015MN

TAKATA RECALL.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 18, 2015147,000 milesMD

I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A RED LIGHT GOING UP HILL. WHEN I REACHED THE TOP OF THE HILL AND LET OFF THE PETAL, THE CAR CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED. THE BRAKE PETAL WAS STIFF AND UNRESPONSIVE. THERE WAS NOTHING UNDER THE PETAL. AS I WAS QUICKLY APPROACHING ANOTHER RED LIGHT WITH STOPPED TRAFFIC. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND ROUNDED THE YIELD INTO A DESERTED PARKING LOT DOING ABOUT 80MPH. THE CAR SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BLOW UP. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND REMOVE THE KEYS. THE CAR CONTINUED TO TRAVEL WHEN TURNED OFF WITH THE BRAKE UNRESPONSIVE. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I CLICKED IT OVER AND THE CAR CONTINUED ITS BEHAVIOR. I QUICKLY TURNED THE CAR OFF. REMOVED THE KEY AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. I INFORMED HIM OF THE PROBLEM AND ASKED HIM NOT TO START THE CAR. WHEN MY MECHANIC RECEIVED THE CAR HE INFORMED ME THAT THE STUD THAT HOLDS THE HARNESS AWAY FROM THE THROTTLE COMPONENTS HAD BROKEN OFF AND LODGED DOWN IN THERE HOLDING THE ACCELERATOR IN AN OPEN POSITION. BECAUSE THE CAR BELIEVED THE ACCELERATOR WAS BEING DEPRESSED, RENDERED THE BRAKE INACTIVE. I WAS TERRIFIED AND DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE. I THOUGHT ABOUT SELLING, ' THE CAR THAT ALMOST KILLED ME ', BUT WE OWN 2 OF THEM. MY 1999 AND MY HUSBAND'S 2000. I HAVE THE LUXURY EDITION AND IT HAS BEEN A VERY GOOD CAR. JUST FEEL I HAVE BEEN TAINTED BY THE EXPERIENCE EVEN AFTER MY MECHANIC REMOVED THE OTHER STUD AND CALLED IT A FREAK ACCIDENT. OBVIOUSLY I'M STILL THINKING ABOUT IT. AND YES I DID LOOK A

Engine
Filed Jun 17, 2015130,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR, THE KNOCK SENSOR AND THE COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE KNOCK SENSOR, SOLENOID CONTROL AND THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. MA 08/13/15 UPDATED 10/25/2017*CN

Electrical System
Filed Aug 4, 2014VA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 22, 2013NY

EXCESSIVE RUSTING TO THE RADIATOR SUPPORT COMPONENT. WHILE REGULAR OIL CHANGE TIME, A MECHANICS NOTICED THE EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF A BODY PART THAT SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR. THIS IS VITAL PART THAT SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR. IT COULD BE DANGEROUS IF RADIATOR DROPS WHILE DRIVING ON ANY HIGHWAY AT STATED SPEED. NISSAN MAXIMA HAS MULTIPLE RUSTING ISSUE WITH BODY FOR THIS GENERATION OF CAR. PROBLEM WITH RADIATOR SUPPORT IS ONE OF THE DANGEROUS SINCE IT CAN KILL OR HURT MANY IF RADIATOR FALLS DUE TO RUSTED SUPPORT. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 22, 2013NY

AFTER FILLING GAS TO THE FULL TANK, CAR WAS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE. SOON GARAGE SMELLED LIKE A GAS SPILL/LEAK. LOOKED AROUND AND UNDER THE CAR FOR LEAKAGE. NO VISIBLE SIGN OF LEAK. HAD TO MOVE THE CAR OUTSIDE THE GARAGE TO AVOID FILLING THE GARAGE WITH GASOLINE SMELL AND FUMES AND AVOID ANY POSSIBLE HAZARDS TO HOUSE AND HUMAN. NEXT DAY, TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. MECHANICS CHECKED IT OUT AND MENTIONED THAT GAS FILLER PIPE (METAL PIPE BETWEEN GAS FILLING HOLE TO GAS TANK) IS RUSTED AND HAS HOLES FROM WHERE THE GAS LIQUID ESCAPED AND SMELLED. IF I HAD LEFT THE CAR IN GARAGE FOR OVERNIGHT, WHICH COULD HAVE FILLED UP GARAGE WITH GASOLINE FUMES AND COULD HAVE CREATED HAZARDS CONDITION. ALSO, HAVING HOLE IN THE FILLER PIPELINE IS ALSO A POTENTIAL HAZARDS SINCE GAS SPILLING CAN HAPPEN ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAN ALSO CREATE FIRE HAZARDS SITUATION IF THERE IS ANY SPARK NEAR BY. SPILLING WOULD NOT BE VISIBLE UNLESS HOLE GETS BIGGER AND MASS AMOUNT OF GAS RUSHES OUT. IN ANY CASE, GAS LEAK IS DANGEROUS TO ENVIRONMENT AND HUMANS. NISSAN SHOULD PROVIDE THE FIX AT NO CHARGE TO CUSTOMERS. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 27, 201371,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE RETRACTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 9, 2012106,020 milesPA

GARAGE-KEPT SINCE NEW 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS DEVELOPED SEVERE RUST/BODY ROT IN THE "RADIATOR SUPPORT MEMBER" WHICH ALSO ATTACHES FRONT ENGINE MOUNT POINTS. THIS DAMAGE WAS CAUGHT DURING AN OIL CHANGE WHEN THE PROTECTIVE PLASTIC SHIELD WAS REMOVED - WHICH EXPOSED THE DEGREE OF DANGER. INATTENTIVE OWNERS COULD MISS THIS ENTIRELY AND THE ENGINE COULD LITERALLY RIP FROM THE CAR OVER SEVERE BUMPS! BE SURE TO CHECK UNDER YOUR RADIATOR! *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Dec 2, 2011170,000 milesTX

STARTED THE CAR. HEARD A STRANGE NOISE WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ABOUT 10 MPH, THEN SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, STOPPED THE CAR AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE ENGINE. TURNED THE CAR OFF, OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS ON FIRE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, FOUND SEVERAL CASES WHERE THE 1999 MAXIMA HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE ALTERNATOR CATCHING ON FIRE, IN SOME CASES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BURN. ALSO FOUND OUT THAT NISSAN HAD A RECALL ON THE 1998 MAXIMA FOR ALTERNATOR FIRES. CALLED NISSAN ABOUT THE PROBLEM. A NISSAN REP CALLED BACK AND CALLED IT A "THERMAL INCIDENT." I EXPLAINED THAT A FIRE IS NOT A "THERMAL INCIDENT" BUT IS A FIRE (THIS IS LIKE DESCRIBING A SHOTGUN WOUND AS ACUTE LEAD POISONING). THE NISSAN REP SAID THAT DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE, ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN. I EXPLAINED THAT I UNDERSTAND THAT COMPONENTS DO FAIL OVER TIME, BUT THAT A FIRE IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THIS EVENT COULD HAVE CAUSED A HOUSE TO BURN DOWN OR A CAR ACCIDENT. THE NISSAN REP SAID THAT THE LIFE OF A NISSAN IS 100,000 MILES AND BASICALLY SAID THAT ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN AFTER THAT. I ASKED HER IF THAT WAS NISSAN'S POSITION AND SHE ASSURED ME THAT SHE SPOKE FOR NISSAN. I EXPLAINED THAT I HAD SEVERAL CARS WITH OVER 100,000 MILES AND THAT I HAD REPLACED COMPONENTS, BUT NONE OF THE VEHICLES CAUSED A FIRE. SEARCH THE INTERNET FOR MAXIMA ALTERNATOR FIRE--THERE ARE SEVERAL INSTANCES FOR YEARS BEFORE AND INCLUDING 1999. THIS SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 15, 2011182,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL MOMENTARILY BEFORE STALLING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT TWO OXYGEN SENSORS FAILED. THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTERS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT EITHER THE ENGINE WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL OR THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. UPON EXAMINING THE VEHICLE FURTHER, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT A LOT OF WATER WAS BEING STORED WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENTS DUE TO A CLOGGED HOSE. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE HOSE AND DRAINED THE WATER FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED SINCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jul 17, 201180,000 milesNY

I AM A NISSAN TECHNICIAN, AND I HAVE BECOME CONCERNED WITH THE AMOUNT OF FOURTH GENERATION (1995-1999) MAXIMAS I HAVE SEEN WITH SUBSTANTIAL RADIATOR SUPPORT RUST. THIS OF COURSE CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THE CROSSMEMBER, WHICH ATTACHES TO THE SUPPORT TO FORM THE LOWER ENGINE CRADLE. IN MANY INSTANCES, THE RUST GETS SO BAD THE CROSSMEMBER DROPS AND CAUSES A VERY REAL DANGER FOR DRIVERS, AND OTHERS -- IF THE CROSSMEMBER WERE TO GET CAUGHT ON THE EDGE OF A NASTY POTHOLE AS THE CAR GOES OVER, AN ACCIDENT IS GUARANTEED. THE EASY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO BRING THESE CARS BACK, AND JUST SECTION IN A PIECE OF GOOD STEEL, TAP IT, AND BOLT THE CROSSMEMBER BACK UP, AND UNDERCOAT THE REPAIRED AREA. THIS ISSUE CAN BE RECTIFIED, AND MANY CARS CAN BE SAVED FROM THE SCRAP HEAP, FOR THIS PROBLEM IS ENOUGH TO RENDER AN OTHERWISE TROUBLE-FREE CAR UNFIT FOR THE ROAD. I HOPE THIS ISSUE IS CONSIDERED, AND ACTED UPON BY NHTSA & NISSAN, SINCE IT OCCURS ONLY IN CONDITIONS OF HIGH SALT\CALCIUM WINTER ROADS. I AM NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE OCCURRING OUTSIDE OF WHAT IS TERMED THE RUST BELT - SO ITS NOT AS IF AN EXORBITANT NUMBER OF CARS WOULD REQUIRE REPAIRS. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 19, 2011138,000 milesFL

LURCHING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. BRAKING DID NOT SLOW THE CAR! TERRIFYING! USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW ENOUGH TO PULL OVER AND TAKE NEXT EXIT. COULD NOT STOP AT STOP SIGN OF EXIT RAMP. PULLED INTO GAS STATION AND CHANGED AUTO TRANSMISSION GEAR. STOPPED WITH A VIOLENT LURCH AND THUD. TURNED ENGINE OFF. AAA WAS ABLE TO START CAR AND LOAD ONTO TOW RAMP. TAKEN TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND "NO CODES." DRIVING AND INSPECTION DID NOT FIND CAUSE. WHEN BROUGHT IT IN, SAID IT WOULD COST $98.00 TO CHECK IT OVER. AFTER NISSAN ENGINEER FROM NATIONAL DID INVESTIGATION, WOULD NOT RETURN OUR CALLS.. DEALER SAID CAUSE NOT FOUND- !CAR FINE TO DRIVE." CAR WAS THERE A WEEK. NO CHARGE. NO EXPLANATION. WHEN ASKED FOR TRADE-IN VALUE, GOT VERY LOW QUOTE. FELT LIKE A COVER-UP. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 14, 2011143,500 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION COILS FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE DEALER INSPECTED BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. A DIFFERENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THREE OF THE SIX ENGINE COILS FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 28, 2010133,310 milesMD

NEED 6 ENGINE COILS ON 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 2, 2010144,000 milesCO

1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT DISPLAYED AT APPROXIMATELY 140K MILES. COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED REPLACEMENT OF KNOCK SENSOR. REPLACED BY INDEPENDENT NISSAN MECHANIC. LIGHT REAPPEARED 1 WEEK LATER. MECHANIC CHECKED ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND FOUND IT TO BE OKAY. DUE TO KNOWN ISSUES WITH MAXIMA IGNITION COILS ALL 6 WERE REPLACED BY SAME INDEPENDENT NISSAN MECHANIC. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AWAY FROM MECHANIC. DIAGNOSTICS WAS VAGUE, GENERAL MESSAGE. TOOK VEHICLE TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. DEALER INDICATED THAT USING AFTER MARKET COILS WAS THE PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT PROMISE THAT USING OFFICIAL NISSAN PARTS WOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. CONTACTED NISSAN NATIONAL OFFICE, BUT THE CORPORATE OFFICE REFUSES TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM. THE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH INTERFERENCE WITH THE COILS BUT NISSAN WOULD NOT REPLACE THE COILS. REPLACING PARTS AND DIAGNOSTICS FROM 3 MECHANICS IN ADDITION TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP COST OVER $2000.00. AT PRESENT, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON WITH THE VAGUE CODE AND NISSAN HAS NO IDEA OF HOW TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 23, 201061,000 milesCA

1999 NISSAN MAXIMA, IGNITION COIL FAILURE AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON. CAR LOOSES PICKUP, ROUGH IDLING AND KNOCKING. *TR

Equipment
Filed May 17, 2010200,000 milesAZ

I BOUGHT A NISSAN MAXIMA 1999 FOR MY DAUGHTER ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT SHE GOT IN HER CAR ONE MORNING AFTER JUST HAVING HER VEHICLE AT A MECHANIC FOR A CHECK UP/SERVICE. THEY TOLD HER THE CAR WAS FINE. SHE THEN PROCEEDED DOWN THE ROAD TO THE FREEWAY, STOPPED FOR GAS AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. PANICKED BY THE 'AREA' OF TOWN SHE WAS IN I HAD A TOW TRUCK FROM AAA DISPATCHED TO MEET HER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE KEY TO THE VEHICLE HAD BECOME DEPROGRAMMED. I PROCEEDED TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO HELP ME UNLESS I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEM. A SCAM ALERT TO ENSURE THAT YOU MUST USE A DEALERSHIP AT HIGH COST. MY FEAR IS THAT SHOULD MY DAUGHTER BE HEADED THROUGH THE ARIZONA DESERT IN 120 HEAT AND THIS SAME SITUATION WOULD HAVE COME UP WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO CONTACT SOMEONE, HER (OR ANYONE ELSE'S) LIFE COULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER. I FIND THIS KEY MALFUNCTIONING TO BE A SEVER SAFETY HAZARD AND THAT MORE PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT THEY COULD ENDANGER THEIR LIVES IF THE KEY MALFUNCTIONS AND THEY ARE NOT NEAR A DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. I HAVE ANOTHER NISSAN FX45 THAT I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE FOR FEAR THAT THE KEY COULD MALFUNCTION IN A SIMILAR MANNER LEAVING ME STRANDED AS WELL. *TR

20 of 165 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
1999 — this page165450Routine
19981136121Fatalities reported
19971026160Routine
199696530Routine
1995152550Routine
199489530Routine
199378640Routine
1992110530Routine
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.