no report yet
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk. 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…
1998 Nissan MaximaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 113 owner complaints about the 1998 Nissan Maxima, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 7, 2021. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1998 Nissan Maxima has problems
113 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
24Air bags8 crash/fire/injury
24Electrical system9 crash/fire/injury
10Service brakes, hydraulic
8Structure
6Visibility
6Power train
6Suspension
6Tires
5Vehicle speed control
2611 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 24 | 8 |
| Electrical system | 24 | 9 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 10 | 0 |
| Structure | 8 | 0 |
| Visibility | 6 | 0 |
| Power train | 6 | 1 |
| Suspension | 6 | 1 |
| Tires | 6 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 3 |
| 11 other systems | 26 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
1998 Nissan Maxima recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.
Best & worst years
1998 vs. every other Maxima year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Maxima median. How we score
'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1998 Nissan Maxima safety ratings
1998 Nissan Maxima 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Maxima owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH AND TRAVELED OVER A PATCH OF ICE. THE VEHICLE THEN SPUN AROUND AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT CRASHED HEAD FIRST INTO AN…
WAS DRIVING A (BOUGHT NEW) 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH OPTIONAL SIDE AIR BAGS ON LEATHER SEATS IN APR 2003. THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER A SIDE IMPACT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ON FRONT BUMPER AND LEFT FRONT WHEEL. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY ACCIDENT. I SUFFER FROM NECK INJURY FROM HITTING THE DRIVER…
AFTER RECLINING MY SEAT, THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LAMP STARTED TO BLINK AND HAS REMAINED BLINKING EVER SINCE. AFTER DIAGNOSING THE SIDE AIRBAG MODULE IN THE SEAT TO BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I FOUND A NISSAN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, NTB00-043, APPLYING TO ALL 1998-1999 NISSAN…
Own a 1998 Maxima?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.