Model year record

1990 Nissan Maxima recalls & problems

The 1990 Nissan Maxima has 4 safety recalls and 106 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (39 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints106filed by owners

Crashes · fires7 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths7 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasolineDec 15, 1995

Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap

Recall 95V244000747,000 vehicles

Problem: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A MIXTURE OF MUD AND SALT TO GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND WHEEL HOUSING. THE TRAPPED MUD AND SALT CAN RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND THE WHEEL HOUSING.
Risk: SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE MAY RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. IN ADDITION, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS MOUNTED TO THE WHEEL HOUSING AND IN THE EVENT OF SIGNIFICANT CORROSION, AND THE MOUNTING COULD FAIL IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN DEPENDING UPON THE EXTENT OF THE CORROSION.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1990 Nissan Maxima 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Maxima

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

Maxima

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system › Injectors; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	39	1	2	0	130,000 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield	22	1	0	1	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission › Floor shift assembly	11	0	0	0	—
Exterior lightingBrake lights; Brake lights › Switch	9	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	9	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Foundation components › Disc › Caliper	7	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Anchorage; Front › Webbing	6	1	0	3	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner; Mid/rear assembly	6	1	0	1	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Ignition	6	0	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch; Trunk lid › Lock	4	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	3	2	0	2	—
SteeringColumn locking › Anti-theft device; Rack and pinion	3	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL SMELL BEING EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL FILLER ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 95V244000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR
Feb 15, 1996 · 70,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION WITHIN THE FUEL FILLER NECK, WHICH CAUSED A FUEL LEAK AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V244000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
Nov 1, 2011 · 135,000 miles
Structure › Body
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT EXAMINED HIS VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED. ALSO, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE RUSTED WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 185,149.
Aug 11, 2008 · 185,149 miles
Seat belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE CLEANING THE TRUNK, THE CONTACT REMOVED THE CARPET IN ORDER TO VACUUM. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS RUSTED. HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 52V244000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Nov 22, 2007 · 128,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
I HAVE A GAS LEAK AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 95V244000. RECALL DATE WAS 12/15/95. I TOOK MY 1990 NISSAN MAXIMA TO THE DEALER REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL ON MY VIN EVEN THOUGH I HAD A PRINT OUT OF THE RECALL FROM YOUR WEB SITE. THIS COULD PRESENT A FIRE HAZARD.
Jul 5, 2005 · 54,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Injectors
MY FUEL INJECTORS ARE TERRIBLE. CAR HAS NO ACCELERATION AND SMELLS OF GASOLINE. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT ONE INJECTOR WAS DEAD AT IDOL.*AK
Aug 10, 2004
Seats › Mid/rear assembly
DRIVER NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WATER CAME IN FROM THE WHEEL WELDS AND STARTED LEAKING ONTO THE REAR SEAT. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH REAR SEATS AND BOLTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK
Mar 29, 2005
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE LEFT DRIVER 'S SIDE SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE RUSTED. THIS CAUSE NO SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BELTS. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED REPLACING ON THE OWNER EXPENSE. NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Jul 15, 2004

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.