1985 Nissan MAXIMA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
35 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
90,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 35 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 5.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 6 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors: 7; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 6; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 32 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 18 |
| 1996 | 10 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
1995: 18; 1996: 10; 2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 504163 · 1996-05-13 (May 13, 1996)
BRAKES FAILED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504163 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 980732 · 1996-03-14 (March 14, 1996)
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED OR LET UP, VEHICLE THUMPS AS VEHICLE WAS HIT AND CONTROL IS LOST. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 980732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033449 · 2003-08-25 (August 25, 2003)
FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS. ROYED INJECTORS AND OWER STEERING PUMP, NUMEROUS OIL SEALS, ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, ETC. IN ADDITION THERE WAS GENERAL SOOT ALL OVER THE ENGINE, WHICH WIIL NOT COME OFF.*AK FURTHERMORE, IT WAS A DANGEOUS SITUATION, AND HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPT.. NISSAN AGREED TO FIX/REPLACE FUEL INJECTORS "ONLY".
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484291 · 1995-07-17 (July 17, 1995)
ENGINE DAMAGED BY ELECTRICAL FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484291 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069981 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF ADMITTED DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS(ON RECALL). NISSAN REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS AT NO CHARGE, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE OTHER DAMAGED ITEMS SUCH AS, POWER STEERING, "SEVERE" SEAL DAMAGE CAUSING LARGE OIL LEAK, AND OTHER DAMAGES. I HAVE CALLED AND WRITTEN NISSAN. ALSO, NO APOLOGIES FOR MY INCONVENIENCES.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069981 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 729614 · 2000-08-30 (August 30, 2000)
I HAVE SINCE HAD MY LEAK REPAIRED AFTER LEARNING OF THE RECALL ON THE INTERNET (CAR POINT). I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY NISSAN OF THE RECALL IN 1995. I PAID TO FIX THE PROBLEM OF THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN APRIL OF 1995 BUT CAR STILL SMELLED LIKE GAS INTERMITTENTLY AND I WAS NEVER TOLD BY ANYONE THAT MY CAR COULD CATCH ON FIRE! THANKFULLY, THE PROBLEM IS FIXED WITH A NEW INJECTOR AND HOSE HARNESS SYSTEM, AND MY FAMILY AND MY HOME ARE NO LONGER IN DANGER OF FIRE BUT BUT I FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD PAY FOR PREVIOUS REPAIRS THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979675 · 1996-02-26 (February 26, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THEN SUDDENLY ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE, DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR LEAK, HAD PRIOR NOTICE OF GAS FUMES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979675 at NHTSA ↗