1998 Nissan MAXIMA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10008142 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)
HEADLIGHT HARNESS CONNECTORS BURNED OUT IN 3 MONTHS CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD FOR NIGHT DRIVING. I HAVE REPLACED THE RIGHT AND LEFT HARNESS 6 TIMES AND THEY CONTINUE TO BLOW. THE REPLACEMENT HARNASSES ARE OEM REPLACEMENT PARTS AND WERE PURCHASED FROM THE NISSAN DEALER.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,788 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008142 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012284 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)
LETTER ON BEHALF OF ANTHONY A ABELE CONCERNING NON DEPLOYMENT OF FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS DURING A CRASH INVOLVING 1998, NISSAN MAXIMA. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012284 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 10022332 · 2003-06-04 (June 4, 2003)
CONSUMER'S SON WRAPPED THE SEAT BELT AROUND HIS WAIST, THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED AND HAD TO BE CUT OFF. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022332 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023646 · 2003-06-24 (June 24, 2003)
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. REQUIRED A NEW GAS SENSOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 35,302 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023646 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023648 · 2003-06-24 (June 24, 2003)
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF GAS SENSOR, OXYGEN SENSOR AND FUEL RECOVERY VALVE ASSEMBLY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 47,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023648 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 ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V171000 · Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Reported: 2002-06-24 (June 24, 2002)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ONE OF THE DIODES USED IN THE ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHEN BUILT. THIS CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE DIODE AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD MELT THE PLASTIC HOUSING.
Consequence: IF THE COMBUSTIBLE GAS EMITTED BY THE MELTING PLASTIC DOES NOT DISPERSE DUE TO AIR FLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT COULD IGNITE AND IN TURN IGNITE THE FAN GUIDE IN THE ALTERNATOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
NHTSA campaign record ↗