1990 Nissan MAXIMA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
61 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
130,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 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 61 complaints (11.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 16.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 8.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.6% |
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:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 7 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 2 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors: 7; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap: 7; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 7; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 2
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 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 50 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 | 11 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
1995: 11; 1996: 13; 2000: 9; 2001: 1; 2002: 9; 2003: 6; 2004: 5; 2005: 3; 2008: 2; 2011: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10000361 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
I SMELL BURNED WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE. I ISOLATED TO THE REAR CENTER BRAKE LAMP WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. BECAUSE THE SOCKETS WERE THE METAL CAN IN THE LAMP SOCKET MOVES OR SEPARATES FROM THE PLASTIC SOCKET HOUSING. IT IS VERY CLOSE TO THE RECALL 96V253004.
Owner-reported narrative. 146,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002771 · 2003-01-16 (January 16, 2003)
THE FUEL AND BRAKE LINES ON MY NISSAN MAXIMA ARE CORRODED AND DUE TO THE BRAKE LINE FAILURE I HAD A LOSS OF BRAKE POWER. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND CALL A TOW TRUCK, THANKFULLY. ALSO, THE FUEL LINES ARE CORRODED AND STARTED TO LEAK WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED MY CAR TO EXPLODE VERY EASILY. THE PLACMENT OF THESE LINES AND THE CARLESSNESS OF NISSAN MOTORS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT HERE. PEOPLE COULD DIE VERY EASILY FROM THESE CORRODED LINES.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002771 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044207 · 2003-10-17 (October 17, 2003)
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 95V244000 CONCERNING FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL DUE TO THE MODEL YEAR OF THE VEHICLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10044207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116714 · 2005-04-11 (April 11, 2005)
MY FUEL INJECTORS ARE TERRIBLE. CAR HAS NO ACCELERATION AND SMELLS OF GASOLINE. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT ONE INJECTOR WAS DEAD AT IDOL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10116714 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067727 · 2004-04-23 (April 23, 2004)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN MAXIMA'S MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 1989-1994. MANY MAXIMA OWNERS HAVE HAD THEIR TRANSMISSIONS FAIL AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION MORE THAN ONCE IN THEIR NISSAN MAXIMA'S.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10067727 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 731501 · 2000-09-15 (September 15, 2000)
TRANSMISSION STICKS IN REVERSE!*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 731501 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 508218 · 1996-09-04 (September 4, 1996)
RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED THROUGH HEATER CORE ONTO FLOOR CARPET, CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORT TO ECU AND EQUIPMENT UNDER FLOOR, RESULTING IN FIRE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 508218 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 717252 · 2000-01-12 (January 12, 2000)
WHEN TURNING LEFT AT SLOW SPEED THERE IS A CHATTER LIKE GROWL THAT WAS IN THE CAR AT DELIVERY. DEALER HAS ROAD TESTED CAR 5 TIMES, BUT REFUSED TO REPAIR WHILE IN WARRANTY. "WAIT UNTIL THE NOISE GETS WORSE". PER DEALER. AM CONCERNED WITH WIFE'S SAFETY AS PRIMARY DRIVER. COULD BE IN STEERING RACK WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND POSSIBLY BAD ACCIDENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717252 at NHTSA ↗