1999 Nissan Maxima

Routine

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

Not among the Nissan Maxima years to avoid. Which Nissan Maxima years to avoid →

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

89 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 1999 Nissan Maxima problems

73 of the 165 complaints (44%) are about the electrical system.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System › Ignition38
000
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine13
100
Electrical System12
020
Electrical System › Ignition › Module9
000
Unknown or Other8
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine8
010
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags6
401
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · 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.

All 4 campaigns on file, newest first.

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

Electrical System
Filed Apr 14, 201066,335 milesWI

I HAD CHECK IGNITION LIGHT ON WHILE MY 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND FOR YEARS AFTER THAT. YOU GET TIRED OF GOING BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM IS NEVER SOLVED. THE PROBLEM TURNS OUT TDO BE THE IGNITION COILS; ALL REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $800.00. THE RECEIPT IS IN THE CAR AND I CAN PRODUCE MY EXACT COST OF REPAIR IF A RECALL WOULD BE ISSUED. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. MY LIGHT HAS NOT COME ON SINCE REPLACING ALL THE COILS. HOPEFULLY MY COMPLAINT WILL BE THE ONE THAT BEGINS AN ACTION BY YOU. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 8, 2010127,500 milesMI

THE IGNITION COILS ARE DEFECTIVE. THE COILS WILL, AFTER A BRIEF TIME, BEGIN TO MISFIRE AGAIN EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED. MANY PEOPLE HAVE BLOGGED WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 27, 2010119,460 milesIL

THE COILS ON MY NISSAN MAXIMA 1999 CAN NEVER GET FIXED. THIS A "NISSAN PART" PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I HAVE THE CAR FOR ALMOST 6 YEARS AND THE COILS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE I FIRST GOT THE CAR. THE DO NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBLY ON THIS AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS NOT BEING RESOLVED BY ANYBODY. PLEASE LOOK ON THE INTERNET AND YOU WILL SEE THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE BEING RIPPED OFF BY THE NISSAN DEALERS. I WILL GIVE YOU A WEBSITE AND YOU WILL SEE THAT I AM NOT TELLING YOU JOKES. HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/NISSAN/MAXIMA/R64073/. AGAIN, THERE IS NO SOLVE TO THIS PROBLEM, EVEN IF WE CHANGE THE COILS TEN TIMES, THE PROBLEM WILL STILL REMIND. PLEASE, YOU ARE THE GOVERNMENT AND THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I HOPE THIS HELPS TO GET MORE PEOPLE AND FINALLY MAKE THEM PAY FOR THIS PART IGNITION COILS ARE A DEFECTIVE PARTS ON NISSAN MAXIMAS 1999!!!!!! *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 22, 201069,000 milesME

I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY GIRLFRIEND'S PURCHASE OF A 99 MAXIMA GLE. THE CAR RUNS VERY ROUGH AND ALMOST STALLS EVERYTIME YOU BRAKE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS I HAVE FOUND 1000'S OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. APPARENTLY THE COIL PACKS GO BAD FREQUENTLY. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR STOPPING AND ACCELERATION INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. VERY,VERY DANGEROUS. THERE REALLY SHOULD BE SOME ACTION BY NISSAN TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.ASAP ANYTHING INFO YOU HAVE ON THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE HELPFUL TO US. THANK YOU *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 14, 2010160,000 milesFL

1999 NISSAN MAXIMA - RUNS ROUGH AND LOSES POWER. HAS LESS POWER WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM STOP SIGN INTO INTERSECTION. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER 1 YEAR. IGNITION COIL PROBLEMS NEED TO REPLACE ALL 6 COILS, HAVE REPLACED EGR VALVE, O2 SENSORS AND PLUGS TO NO AVAIL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed May 15, 2009125,000 milesIL

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EGR. THE EGR VALVE ON MY 1999 HAS BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIME AND THE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AFTER FEW THOUSAND MILES. THIS PLUS THE COIL ISSUE IS WIDE SPREAD AND THERE IS NOTHING ANYBODY HAS DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 4, 2009OH

I PURCHASED A 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA GLE 4 DOOR AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT HAS BEEN ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE AND HAD A "COLD PULL" PERFORMED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPARK PLUG ON CYLINDER 5 WAS "TRIGGERING" THE KNOCK SENSOR RESULTING IN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT TO BE ON. I WENT ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE KNOCK SENSOR AND THE SPARK PLUGS FOR THIS CAR AND SEEN MORE COMMENTS FROM OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE FOR THE SAME CAR. COMMENTS STATING THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE COILS AND IT WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX FOR THE RECURRING ISSUE. THIS IS THE FIRST CAR I HAVE OWNED AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE CAR ENSURED THAT THE MAINTENANCE OF THE CAR WAS UP-TO-DATE. FOR THIS CAR TO BE TEN YEARS OLD IT IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, (KBB VALUE $4500), ASIDE FROM THE SPARK PLUG AND KNOCK SENSOR ISSUE. WILL THERE BE A RECALL TO SERVICE THE THOUSANDS OF 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA'S WITH THIS ISSUE? I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY ANYWHERE FROM $800 - $1,000 TO HAVE ALL OF THE COILS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE SPARK PLUGS, ONLY FOR IT TO BE A TEMPORARY RESOLUTION TO THE RECURRING ISSUE. I AM ON A FIXED INCOME (SS) AND AFTER PAYING FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES, CAR INSURANCE, LIVING COSTS, I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A TEMPORARY RESOLUTION. PLEASE RECALL THE 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA'S, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL CAR. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 2, 2009120,000 milesWI

CAR BEGAN RUNNING VERY ROUGH. NEEDED IGNITION COIL REPLACEMENT. $800.00 WHY DOES EVERY MAXIMA HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM? *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 6, 2009NY

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND REGARDLESS OF WHAT I DO TO FIX IT, IT JUST COMES BACK ON. I HAVE HAD DIAGNOSTIC TESTS RAN ON IT AND IT HAS COME UP AS SOMETHING DIFFERENT EVERYTIME I FIX THE PROBLEM IT GIVES ME. SO FAR I HAVE FIXED TWO IGNITION COIL PACKS, A NOC SENSOR AND A COUPLE OTHER THINGS RELATED TO EMISSIONS. I HAVE SPENT AROUND $800 TO FIX THESE THINGS AND I AM NOW AM GETTING A CODE THAT SAYS THERE IS AN IGNITION MISFIRE. THE SHOP THAT I AM TAKING IT TO HAS TOLD ME THAT IT'S A PROBLEM THAT THEY CAN NOT FIGURE OUT AND THEY HAVE RESEARCHED IT AND BEEN TOLD THAT NISSAN CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT EITHER. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 5, 2009AL

I HAVE A 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA AND HAVE 145,000 MILES ON IT. IGNITION COIL HAS GONE BAD AND NISSAN WANTS TO CHARGE ME 1200 DOLLARS TO REPLACE. IT SEEMS I HAVE READ THIS AS A PROBLEM IN ALOT OF MAXIMA'S. CONSIDERING RECALLING THIS ISSUE IN OLDER MAXIMAS? *TR

Tires
Filed Oct 25, 2008142,421 milesOH

AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE, I REPLACED A TOYO TIRE (WITH LESS THAN 35,000 MILES ON IT) ON MY 1999 MAXIMA. AN EXTERIOR BUBBLE BEGAN TO APPEAR IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE PASSENGER-SIDE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 15, 2008101,000 milesAL

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE MISFIRING DUE TO THE COIL PACKS THAT SIT ON THE CYLINDERS. I HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL COILS AND THAT WAS A SHORT TERM FIX. NOW I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE LURCHING DURING IDLE AND WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE SHOP AND THEY REPLACES 4 COILS BUT THE CAR STILL JERKS WHEN IDLING AND RIGHT AFTER ACCELERATION. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Aug 31, 2008IL

I HAD THIS 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA SINCE YEAR 2000. THE FOLLOWING EXPENSES I INCUR WAS REPLACING 6 IGNITION COILS AT THE NISSAN DEALER COSTING OVER $700.00 WHERE THEY ADVISE ONLY ONE COIL WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY AFTER TAKING MY CAR IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC BECAUSE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE CHECK AND REPLACED THE EGR VALVE THREE TIME(COST OVER $1100.00 FOR THE FIRST REPLACEMENT), REPLACED THE STARTER, FUEL FILTER. NOW THE SAME LIGHT IS ON RIGHT NOW. NO ONE SEEM TO KNOW IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT (YES , I BELIEVE) OR WHAT IS THE PROBLEMS WITH MISSED READING TEST RESULTS. WHAT'S NEXT REPLACE THE CAR? NEED HELP BEFORE I DONE REPLACE THIS CAR OR SOMEONE GETS INQUIRE BECAUSE OF DEALER, MANUFACTURER AND TECHNICIANS DON'T KNOW THE RESOLUTION. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 31, 200888,000 milesSC

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, IT STARTED TO MISS, SPUTTER, RUN BAD, VIBRATE AND ALMOST TURN OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER HAVING THE CODES READ (P1320) AND RESEARCHING DTC P1320 AND/OR SPARK KNOCK (DETONATION) DUE TO IGNITION COIL (S). I FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL YEARS OF MAXIMAS. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE NEWER COILS WITH A GRAY DOT, THAT IS TO BE USED TO REPLACE THE OLDER DEFECTIVE ONES. NOT ONLY ARE THE BAD ONES RECOMMENDED FOR REPLACEMENT, BUT ALL 6 ARE RECOMMENDED FOR REPLACEMENT. WHY IS THIS? I BELIEVE IS WAS BECAUSE OF A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE PARTS. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED SEVERAL OF THESE COILS AND IT DON'T TAKE LONG BEFORE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON, AND THE CAR IS ONCE AGAIN MISFIRING AND GETTING BAD GAS MILEAGE BECAUSE OF CODE P1320, ANOTHER BAD COIL. NISSAN SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THIS CONTINUOUSLY ONGOING PROBLEM . THIS MISFIRING ON INTERSTATES AND BUSY ROADS AT HIGH SPEEDS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS, BECAUSE IT SLOWS THE CAR DOWN ALL OF A SUDDEN AND COULD RESULT IN A REAR END CRASH. THIS MISFIRING ALSO RESULTS IN FUEL NOT BEING BURNED IN THE CYLINDER AND IS WASTED. *TR

Fuel System, Other
Filed Aug 27, 2008142,000 milesOH

I HAVE A 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA, 5-SPD, WITH 142K MILES. GENERALLY THE CAR IS A TREAT TO DRIVE AND I HAVE HAD NO SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS TO DATE WITH ITS OPERATION. HOWEVER, UPON TRAVELING WESTWARD, FROM VA ALONG I-70 IN OH, THE CAR SIMPLY CUT OUT FROM ITS CURRENT SPEED AND STOPPED ACCELERATING AND BEGAN TO HESITATE AND BUCK. IT WAS AS THOUGH THE IGNITION COILS BRIEFLY STOPPED WORKING OR THE FUEL FILTER SUDDENLY BECAME CLOGGED WITH PARAFFIN. SINCE MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, THIS WAS A BIT DISCONCERTING. I IMMEDIATELY MOVED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL FOR MORE FUEL. THAT ACTION WORKED BRIEFLY, BUT THEN THE CAR BUCKED REPEATEDLY AGAIN. WE WERE ABLE TO MANAGE THE REMAINING 80 MILES TOWARD HOME THEREAFTER. I FEEL THAT EITHER THE IGNITION COILS ARE MALFUNCTIONING W/O WARNING, OR THAT SOME OTHER MECHANISM OF FUEL FEED SYSTEM IS FAILING ALSO W/O WARNING. THE CAR DOES NOT KNOCK OR PING, MAYBE THE GASOLINE OR FUEL INJECTORS ARE FOULING (HOWEVER, I USE 87 RON GRADE GASOLINE, AND OFTEN ADD OCTANE BOOSTERS, I ALSO CLEAN THE FUEL INJECTORS BY RUNNING CHEVRON'STECHRON ABOUT EVERY 3500 MILES). THIS MAY SIGNIFY A SEVERE PROBLEM LURKING; I HOPE YOU CONSIDER ISSUING A RECALL FOR THE 1999 MAXIMA. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 4, 2008126,000 milesTX

THREE FAULTY IGNITION COILS IN 1 1/2 YEARS. TWO IN LESS THAN ONE MONTH ON MY 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA GLE. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 11, 2008NY

I HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH AL 6 IGNITION COILS OF MY 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT I NO LONGER HAVE. I HAVE WRITTEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Dec 27, 2007100,000 milesTX

WITH MY 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA SE V6, EGR VALVE RELATED ISSUES WERE DETECTED AND ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO COME UP SOON AFTER THE IGNITION. ACCORDING TO NISSAN DEALER, OXYGEN SENSORS AND EGR VALVES WORK IS NEED THAT WOULD COST $1800 OR MORE. AT THAT TIME THE CAR MILEAGE WAS AROUND 80,000. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO FIX THAT. BUT LATER ONE OF THE ROD IN THE ENGINE BROKEN, FIRE STARTED UNDER THE ENGINE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 70 M/H ON THE HIGHWAY. MY FAMILY WAS IN A GREAT DANGER AND WE WERE LUCKY TO SURVIVE WITH THE HELP OF POLICE AND FIRE ENGINE WHEN SOMEONE CALLED 911. THERE HAS BEEN ANOTHER COMPLAIN ABOUT EGR VALUE ON NHTSA WEB SITE BY ANOTHER NISSAN MAXIMA OWNER. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Dec 12, 2007OK

IGNITION COIL FAILURE, DEFECT AND REPLACEMENT. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Nov 18, 2007IN

THE IGNITION COILS ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Nov 14, 200774,878 milesTX

MY 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA WILL DISPLAY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT AND CANNOT BE RESET. I HAVE REPLACED THE IGNITION COILS AND SPARK PLUGS PLUS THE AIR TEMP SENSOR. THIS CODE P1320 IS ALWAYS ON AND THERE SEEMS TO BE MANY OTHER NISSAN OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Nov 11, 200770,000 milesVA

MIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. KNOCK AND SPARK FAILURE TROUBLE CODES. ERRATIC IDLE AND POWER SURGE AT OR ABOUT 2000 RPM. IN SOME CASES THE IDLE HAS BEEN ERRATIC ENOUGH FOR THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE PROBLEM IS NOT CONSISTENT AND IS TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT. COLD MORNINGS (LESS THAN 50 DEGREES F) CREATE THE MOST PROBLEMS. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ON ACCELERATION HAS PROVEN DANGEROUS. REPLACED IGNITION COIL PACKS, SIX PER CAR. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 23, 2007118,000 milesOH

I HAVE A 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT ALL 3 O2 SENSORS WERE BAD, AND THEY COULD BE REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $700. A WEEK LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON, AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT IT IS THE #3 CYLINDER MISFIRING, AND THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING ALL 6 IGNITION COILS FOR APPROXIMATELY $1200. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE IGNITION COILS, AND REALLY DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY THEM AGAIN FOR SOMETHING THAT I FEEL SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THEM ANYWAY. *TR

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Sep 24, 2007128,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS SUMITOMO, SIZE 21555HR16 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT TIRES CRACKED ON THE SIDEWALLS AND THE TREAD. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN MAY OF 2007. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE DOT WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 10/23/07 *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 10, 2007158,000 milesCO

CHECK ENGINE KEPT COMING ON. MACHINES KEPT TELLING US IT WAS CYLINDER 2 MISFIRE. WE REPLACED FUEL FILTER, SPARKPLUGS, SPARKPLUG COIL WITH NO RESULTS. WENT TO DEALER, THEY PUT CAR ON MACHINE. THEY HAD TROUBLE FINDING PROBLEM. THEY HAD TO SEARCH BY HAND, WITH NO RESULTS. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS AN ELEC. PROBLEM THAT WAS INTERMITTENT. LIGHT WENT OUT WITHOUT FIXING ANYTHING. HAS NOT COME BACK AGAIN YET. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Sep 7, 2007NC

PRIOR TO GETTING MY 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA INSPECTED, THE 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT TURNED ON AND I EVENTUALLY FOUND OUT THAT THE LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE A FEW OF MY IGNITION COILS ARE NO LONGER WORKING. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS WILL BE ABOUT A $1500 REPAIR (BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE ALL OF THE COILS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T DETECT WHICH ONES ARE OUT) AND I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT WHO DOESN'T MAKE MUCH MORE THAN TWICE THAT IN A YEAR. I WAS RESEARCHING ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY CHEAPER IGNITION COILS I COULD PURCHASE, AND CAME TO FIND OUT THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT A PETITION HAS BEEN CREATED WITH OVER 3,000 SIGNATURES(HERE IS THE PETITION: HTTP://WWW.PETITIONONLINE.COM/MOD_PERL/SIGNED.CGI?NIS_IGN&851). I AM GOING TO CONTACT MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP TOMORROW (AS I WAS BUSY GETTING ESTIMATES FROM OTHER MECHANICS EVER SINCE I FOUND OUT ABOUT MY FAILED IGNITION COILS UNTIL TODAY WHEN I LEARNED THAT MANY OTHERS WITH '99-'03 NISSAN MAXIMA'S HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM) AND HOPEFULLY SOMETHING WILL BE DONE, BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING I BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD DO WHAT'S MORALLY RIGHT AND ISSUE A RECALL. *JB

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Jun 23, 2007IA

MY 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA SE HAD ONE COIL REPLACED IN 2003. THIS YEAR I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AS WELL. MY AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES CONSTANTLY AND MY CLOCK GOES IN AND OUT OF SERVICE. MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR RUNS VERY ROUGH. WHEN IDLING IT SOUNDS LIKE A CHOKING PIECE OF CRAP AND ON THE HILLS THE LIGHT FLASHES. I WAS TOLD I HAD A BAD COIL AGAIN AND TOOK IT FOR A DIAGNOSTIC THAT SAID MULTIPLE MISFIRE AND REPLACE ALL SIX COILS. I HAVE READ COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT ABOUT COILS. WHEN I BOUGHT MY MAXIMA NEW I THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A CAR THAT WAS RELIABLE BUT I AM HEARING THAT COIL REPLACEMENT IS THE RULE NOT THE EXCEPTION. I ALSO HAVE REAR BRAKE NOISE....SINCE YEAR THREE OF OWNING THE CAR. I HAVE REPLACED TWO SETS OF BRAKE PADS AS WELL. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed May 14, 2007TN

ANYONE CAN SPEND JUST A MOMENT OF TIME ON THE INTERNET AND FIND THAT NISSAN MAXIMAS FROM 1999 TO 2003 , PERHAPS A LENGTHIER TIME PERIOD, MINE IS A 1999. HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION COILS AND STARTERS. YET NO RECALL HAS EVER BEEN ISSUED! I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF CONSUMER WEBSITES OF PEOPLE REPORTING THESE PROBLEMS WITH COILS AND STARTERS. I JUST HAD TO REPLACE STARTER AND COILS. SOME PEOPLE REPORT REPLACING THEM EVERY 10,000 - 20,000 MILES!!! THIS IS A PRICEY REPAIR AT ABOUT $1000 TO $1500 PER EVENT! PLEASE URGE NISSAN TO RECALL THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND REFUND THOSE WHO HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THIS SERVICE.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Apr 14, 200750,000 milesFL

I HAVE 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA AND IT STARTED GIVING PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION COIL WHEN IT HAD ONLY 50000 MILES AND THE MECHANICS WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND WHICH COIL WAS HAVING THE PROBLEM, AND FINALLY ASKED ME TO CHANGE ALL THE SIX COILS FOR AROUND $1000.00. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THIS IS SEEN IN MANY MAXIMA'S AND INFINITY I30. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 20, 2007132,300 milesOH

I HAVE A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM WITH MY 133,000-MILE, 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. IT MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE CRANK SENSOR ON NEWER MAXIMA, A STEERING COLUMN LOCK, A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH, FAULTY CLUTCH DEPRESSION SWITCH, AND THE ANTI-THEFT KILL SWITCH, PERHAPS EVEN A RANDOM GROUND. THE PROBLEM WAS CONCEIVABLY CATASTROPHIC.*AK UPON ENTERING MY CAR USING THE REMOTE, OCCASIONALLY THE CAR WON'T RESPOND, AND MUST BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY. IN THESE INSTANCES, NEITHER THE DOME LIGHTS NOR THE HEADLIGHTS SHINE. WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS ROTATED TO THE START POSITION, AS THE CLUTCH IS BEING DEPRESSED, SOMETIMES THE GAUGE LIGHTS APPEAR AND THEN QUICKLY FADE AND DISAPPEAR; THE CAR JUST DOESN'T CRANK. A FAINT, DIMINISHING TELLTALE BUZZING SOUND CAN BE HEARD. WHAT'S WORSE, THIS CAN HAPPEN SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING, IN WHICH CASE THE CAR'S STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND THE BRAKES BECOME INOPERABLE. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON THREE OCCASIONS, TWICE WHILE DRIVING IN A MALL PARKING LOT (FEBRUARY AND MARCH ''07) AND THE OTHER TIME (JUST LAST WEEK) WHILE TURNING INTO MY NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY, TO TAKE OUT HER OAK TREE. THE IGNITION CRANK SENSOR MUST SLIP INTO AN INOPERABLE MODE DURING DRIVING OR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR, OR THE ANTI-THEFT SWITCH SOMEHOW INTERFERES WITH STARTING, OPERATION OR DRIVING. MAYBE THE MASTER IGNITION COIL IS FAILING (BUT THAT DOESN'T EXPLAIN THE HEADLIGHT AND DOME LIGHT PROBLEMS). THE CLUTCH SWITCH MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN ITS PEDAL IS BEING DEPRESSED. SOMETIMES, I CAN RESTART THE

Complaints 1-50 of 165, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20231000Routine
20225010Routine
20213000Routine
202022100Routine
201918100Routine
201836210Routine
2017106430Routine
2016142840Routine
20151000Routine
201496010Routine
201362010Routine
2012107020Routine
2011106010Routine
2010275120Above average
2009339120Above average
200879000Routine
2007129110Routine
2006576240Above average
20059482100Above average
20041,4262162Fatalities 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.