1998 NISSAN MAXIMA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
133
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
15
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA
The 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA has received a total of 133 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 15 technical service bulletins have been issued by Nissan North America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (11 complaints), Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator (11 complaints), and Air Bagsfrontal (8 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA, potentially affecting up to 310,851 vehicles.
Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →Recall 08E050000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 1,921 vehicles affected
Defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
View full details →Recall 06E049000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 27,176 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
View full details →Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
View full details →Recall 02V171000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
| 161,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA
133 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 1998 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while attempting to lift the vehicle onto a jack, the rocker panels started to cave in due to severe corrosion and rusting. The cause of the corrosion was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
I WISH TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUT-OF-POCKET COST OF REPAIR AND INSTALLATION OF NEW PARTS FOR THE VEHICLES ALTERNATOR HAVING CAUGHT ON FIRE. ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 24, 2014, MY REQUEST WAS SUBMITTED TO NISSAN OF NORTH PER NISSAN MANUFACTURERS RECALL INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL ISSUED IN 2001 WAS STILL OPEN ON THE VEHICLE BY VIN NUMBER. ALL PERTINENT DOCUMENTATION WAS PROVIDED BY FAX AND PHONE TO THE NISSAN SAFETY COMPLAINT UNIT. AS INSTRUCTED BY THE INVESTIGATING AGENT, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND REIMBURSEMENT. IT HAS BEEN FIVE WEEKS (SINCE DECEMBER 23, 2014) OF DELAY AND BROKEN PROMISES, AND I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT. (THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND BEGAN TO SMOKE; AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE GARAGE, THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE AS AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO START THE VEHICLE.) PLEASE PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT OF REPAIR COSTS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PRESENCE OF FIRE COMING FROM THE ALTERNATOR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
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 HAVE DONE LOTS OF RESEARCH ON THIS AND A WHOLE LOT OF THEM HAVE SAME ISSUE. WHAT CAN/ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS? *JS
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 HAVE DONE LOTS OF RESEARCH ON THIS AND A WHOLE LOT OF THEM HAVE SAME ISSUE. WHAT CAN/ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS? *JS
Safety Rating for the 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA
Nissan North America, Inc. has issued 15 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
NTB98-067a — EQUIPMENT
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN MAXIMA POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE LEAKS Service Campaign ID # P8140 is no longer active. ï· Repair orders opened after this bulletinâs published date are no longer eligible for reimbursement under Campaign ID # P8140. ï· Discard all previous versions of NTB98-067.
NTB01023 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INFORMATION REGARDING ESSENTIAL TOOL: THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR TEST CONNECTOR. *SLC
NTB99014A — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SOME VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A SITUATION WHERE THE SHIFT HANDLE IS HARD TO MOVE OR OPERATE. THIS PROBLEM MAY BE WORSE DURING HOT WEATHER. *TT
NTB00043 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT THE SRS LIGHT FLASHING, WITH SELF DIAGNOSIS INDICATING EITHER SIDE MODULE LH [OPEN] (CODE DA) OR SIDE MODULE RH [OPEN] (CODE 7A). *TT
NTB99082 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THIS BULLETINS STATES THAT THE SECOND SASH GUIDE WAS DELETED FROM THE SERVICE PART SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, HOWEVER; DELETION OF THE SECOND SASH GUIDE DOES NOT AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. *TT
NTB98008B — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
SUBJECT REGARDING EGI HARNESS WIRE BREAKAGE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR PROCEDURE. *TT
NTB99024 — STRUCTURE:BODY
REPAIR PROCEDURES FOR VEHICLES EXHIBITNG WIND NOISE. *TT
NTB98111 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLES WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EXHIBITS A HESITATION OR THROTTLE SHOCK AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS GENTLY APPLIED AND THEN RELEASED. *TT
NTB9100 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CONDITIONS WITH LEFT REAR DOOR DOESN'T UNLOCK WITH REMOTE. *YC
NTB98081 — SUSPENSION
VEHICLES EXHIBITING STEERING PULL AND / OR DRIFT WHEN DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *YC
Showing 10 of 15 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the NISSAN MAXIMA
- 1993 NISSAN MAXIMA — 102 complaints
- 1994 NISSAN MAXIMA — 128 complaints
- 1995 NISSAN MAXIMA — 195 complaints
- 1996 NISSAN MAXIMA — 117 complaints
- 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA — 123 complaints
- 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA (current)
- 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA — 215 complaints
- 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA — 467 complaints
- 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA — 225 complaints
- 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA — 278 complaints
- 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA — 249 complaints
Other NISSAN Models
- NISSAN ALTIMA — 20,037 total complaints
- NISSAN PATHFINDER — 10,111 total complaints
- NISSAN ROGUE — 9,608 total complaints
- NISSAN SENTRA — 8,129 total complaints
- NISSAN MURANO — 7,410 total complaints
- NISSAN VERSA — 4,436 total complaints
- NISSAN FRONTIER — 4,425 total complaints
- NISSAN TITAN — 4,412 total complaints