1990 Nissan Maxima: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 106 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (30% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2011
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2008
“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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2005
“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”Owner report · Seats · Mar 2005
“My fuel injectors are terrible. Car has no acceleration and smells of gasoline. My mechanic said that one injector was dead at idol.*ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2004
“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”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2004
“While fueling gasoline it splashed back from the filler neck onto the ground. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the filler neck hose needed to be replaced. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2004
“Nissan maxima 1990: recall inspection was done ~1999 regarding possible defective gasolie filler pipe (campaign#95v244000). Since then, small leaks after top off, and now getting worse. It poured out for 2-3 min last time I filled the tank. I called nissanusa at gardena,ca for permission to respect and the lady twho answered the phone refused to grant it. I am a little afraid to drive the car now; try my best not to. I would like to ask you to help me get permission to have a free inspection at my local dealership. Thanks for a reply. Sincerely paul chan pkc228@cox.net. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2004
“Automatic transmission is not able to shift into reverse. Apparently this is a very common problem with nissan maxima's manufactured between 1989-1994. Many maxima owners have had their transmissions fail and have had to replace the transmission more than once in their nissan maxima's.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN DEPENDING UPON THE EXTENT OF THE CORROSION.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1990 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Maxima by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Nissan Maxima reliable?
NHTSA has 106 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Nissan Maxima. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Nissan Maxima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 130,000 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Nissan Maxima have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.