1991 Nissan Maxima: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 76 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (18% 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 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 nissan maxima. The contact stated that the rear seat belt assembly was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 370,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 nissan maxima. The contact stated that the straps connected to the fuel tank fractured because of corrosion and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic discovered that the filler cap assembly was corroded and that the muffler could not be replaced because of the fuel leak caused by the corrosion from the tank assembly. The mechanic referenced NHTSA campaign number: 95v244000 (fuel system), but the contact was told by the manufacturer that the recall was expired and the vehicle was not included. In addition, the odometer was inoperable. The failure and current mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2011
“Tl* the contact owns 1991 nissan maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic shop for concerns with the fuel lines. The mechanic advised that there was rust and corrosion of the tank, which would need replacing along with the pipe filler. The dealer was contacted and stated that her VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 95v244000, (fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap). The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall and offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 186,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“We have a 1991 nissan maxima. On tuesday, dec. 13, 2004 it burned up under the hood and melted everything to a crisp. The fire department said they were not sure if it was the fuel injector that caused it to ignite. We were on our way to school, and it smelled like gas fumes, then it quelled down, about 10 minutes later it started to smoke. We opened the trunk first to get a rag and then the hood turned black, and in 1 minute. It started to blaze. None of the body of the car was damaged except the hood, and everything under it melted to a crisp. Could this be a defect please give me a guess. Thanks for your time. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2004
“Crash. While backing out of parking spot in driveway. Engine went full throttle 30 feet across driveway and struck a tree. Both feet on brakes trying to stop car. Drivers seat broke. Car is not repairable. Exact same accidents as oci claim #'s 483257 and 889677. *la”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2004
“While driving vehicle fish tailed. This resulted in consumer losing control of the vehicle. It went over a ravine, flipped twice, hit a tree, and a concrete wall before landing in a creek. Upon impact, driver's side air bag failed to deploy. Vehicle is totaled. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2004
“I have a 1991 nissan maxima. It is leaking fuel from the fuel injectors and I am afraid it may catch on fire. Please help me. *la”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2003
“Consumer put hood up and hydraulic hood struts gave way, and consumer's head got stuck underneath the vehicle. Also, nose was scratch up and swollen.*ak”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2002
“Upon placing my daughters carseat in the middle of my backseat the seatbelt fell completely apart. Therefore that makes me think something is faulty with it. If it came apart that easily from me trying to buckle in the carseat what would happen if someone hit me. My daughter could have been seriously injured or worse killed if this had happen in a collision. I f my car did this how many others will it happen to and will any children have to die before anything is done. I only want for my family to be safe and therefore I try to do the right thing by placing my daughter in the middle of my back seat.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2001
“Vehicle accelerated suddenly when the consumer took foot off of brake pedal and lightly touched accelerator pedal. Vehicle went out of control to left, impacted a parked vehicle, and continued to accelerate into a concrete pillar. Insurance adjuster determined that driver was at fault by looking at the vehicle. A dealership nor a mechanic hav examined vehicle to determine a cause of defect. Please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - 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 1991 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 1991 Nissan Maxima reliable?
NHTSA has 76 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Nissan Maxima. The most complained-about area is seat belts (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Nissan Maxima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 186,000 miles or less.
Does the 1991 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.