1998 Nissan MAXIMA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
89 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
110,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 41 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 89 complaints (12.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 12.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 9.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 3.4% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 11 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 6 |
| Tires | 6 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 4 |
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 11; Air Bags: 8; Electrical System: 7; Air Bags:Frontal: 6; Tires: 6; Air Bags:Side/Window: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Structure:Frame And Members: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 10
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 48 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 20 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 20; 2001: 5; 2002: 10; 2003: 11; 2004: 9; 2005: 3; 2006: 5; 2007: 3; 2008: 4; 2009: 1; 2010: 6; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 4; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 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 10005471 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
I WAS DRIVING ON A SNOW COVERED ROAD AND APPLIED MY BRAKES. I GOT NOTHING BUT INSTANT AND COMPLETE ABS, AND AFTER QUICKLY RELEASING AND REAPPLYING THE BRAKES, STILL HAD NOTHING BUT ABS. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 40,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005471 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060006 · 2004-02-28 (February 28, 2004)
BRAKES FAILED TO HOLD AND SMOKE CAME FROM REAR BRAKES. AT APPROX 7500 MILES, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE GRINDING AND SQEALING BRAKE SOUNDS.THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. CARS WAS TAKEN BACK ON TWO MORE OCCASIONS TO REPORT BRAKE SOUNDS. DEALERSHIP COULD REPRODUCE SOUNDS DURING TEST DRIVE AND SAID THE BRAKES WERE FINE. THE LAST INCIDENT WITH THE LOCK UP AND SMOKE, VEHICLE WITH APPROX.44,000 MILES WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING BRAKE RELINE AND REAR BRAKE CABLES AT A COST OF $400 PLUS. THE PROBLEM OF TOO MUCH BRAKE PEDAL WAS SAID TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060006 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017327 · 2003-04-22 (April 22, 2003)
THE BATTERY WAS CONSTANTLY DRAINED AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE DIM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155508 · 2006-04-17 (April 17, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 02V171000 REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 113,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155508 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026036 · 2003-07-14 (July 14, 2003)
I OWN A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA SE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR THE REVIEWS ON THE CAR HAD STATED THAT THE POWERTRAIN SHIFTING WAS HARD AND ROUGH.SINCE I HAD THE CAR IT HAS BEEN DOING JUST THAT . IT SHIFTS SO HARD SOMETIMES FROM A STOP THAT I FEEL THAT ITS NOT GOING TO GO INTO GEAR.ITS NOT DRIVEN HARD AT ALL, SO COULD SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON NOW FROM MY TORQUE CONVERTER CIRCUIT BEING INTERMITTENED.I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE…
Owner-reported narrative. 56,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026036 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10598005 · 2014-06-13 (June 13, 2014)
I JUST PURCHASED A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA, WENT TO CHANGE OUT THE FRONT BUMPER SKIN AND FENDERS AND AS I TOOK OFF THE BUMPER SKIN THE LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT IS RUSTED BEYOND BELIEF AND ONLY ONE OF THE BOLTS ON THE CROSS MEMBER HOLDING UP THE WHOLE ENGINE/TRANS AND THAT ONE IS RUSTED TOO. THERE IS A BIG HOLE WHERE THE RUST IS AND ITS AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY AS WELL AS HANDLING OF THIS CAR. I'M ACTUALLY SURPRISED THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAVEN'T FALLEN OUT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR ALREADY. THIS IS A PAIN TO FIX AND EXPENSIVE, I ALSO HAV…
Owner-reported narrative. 183,025 miles reported. Look up ODI 10598005 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10134029 · 2005-10-25 (October 25, 2005)
DT: THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ALTERNATOR, HOWEVER, NISSAN STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD HEAR A SOUND AND VIEWED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FIRE IN MIDDLE OF THE ALTERNATOR. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 15, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER KEPT THE BAD ALTERNATOR. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN# 02V171000. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ALTERNATOR. THERE WAS ALSO A VIBRATION IN THE STEE…
Owner-reported narrative. 64,336 miles reported. Look up ODI 10134029 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734788 · 2000-10-20 (October 20, 2000)
STEERING PULL TO RIGHT ALL THE TIME. AFTER FOUR ALIGNMENTS, MANY TIRE ROTATIONS AND WHEEL BALANCING, AND NEW TIRES THE CAR CONTINUES TO PULL TO THE RIGHT . PULLS BOTH AT LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10415428 · 2011-07-27 (July 27, 2011)
I HAVE A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE ALL SIX COILS, MAF MASS AIRFLOW, ALL SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, ALL THREE O2 SENSORS IT STALLS, RUNS ROUGH, AND CUTS OFF. NOW IT WILL NOT START. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND NOONE SEEMS TO WANT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES THE CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING INCLUDING ME. SEEMS LIKE NISSAN NEEDS A RECALL ON THESE PARTS IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE CAR TO SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10415428 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8016200 · 2002-08-13 (August 13, 2002)
VEHICLE STALLED AND STARTED SMOKING IN A BUSY INTERSECTION WHILE MAKING A TURN. ENGINE FAILED WITH NO DASBBOARD WARNING LIGHTS. VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED FOR A LOOSE WIRE IN ALTERNATOR WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE TO VEHICLE. CONSUMER JUST RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 02-V-171-000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8016200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8002309 · 2002-01-16 (January 16, 2002)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT STARTED SMOKING, CONSUMER CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED A FIRE. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, AND VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER STATED THAT FRONT FUEL INJECTOR WAS LEAKING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8002309 at NHTSA ↗