1998 Nissan Maxima: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 113 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (21% 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 113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2021
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2014
“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”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“I would like to know why nothing has been done about nissan maxima's rusting and deteriorating radiator support (lower tie bar) that has been a problem from the mid 90's threw today's cars. There should be a recall on this issue and it should extend to all cars still being driven today. I have put a lot of money into my 98 not knowing of this defect. The year of the car has nothing to do with this problem, since it is continuing on brand new cars with as little as 50,000 miles on them. As a tax paying, car buyer. I believe if they are not willing to fix these issues. Then you need to force them to do the right thing. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2013
“I failed state inspection because my engine core support is rotted. I am not the only person here who has complained about this happening in this model car. *tr”Owner report · Engine · May 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 nissan maxima. The contact stated that he attempted to activate the air conditioner but it would not start. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and they stated that the a/c control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 185,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2013
“Engine core support rotted rusted and split in half. Engine and radiator could fall out and cause crash. This is a nys vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2012
“I have a 1998 nissan maxima I now have to replace all six coils, maf mass airflow, all spark plugs and wires, all three o2 sensors it stalls, runs rough, and cuts off. Now it will not start. I have read numerous complaints about this problem and noone seems to want to resolve the issues the customers are having including me. Seems like nissan needs a recall on these parts it is very dangerous for the car to shut off in the middle of traffic. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2011
“1998 nissan maxima with rusted and fractured front radiator/engine motor mount support strut. The engine is now unstable and increasing rattling from beneath the hood, especially on bumpy roads. The car does not appear safe to drive. This car was purchased relatively recently and this issue was not apparent on inspection at time of purchase. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 nissan maxima. The contact was driving approximately 30 mph, when the check engine light came on. The contact stated the vehicle was taken for an oil change, figuring that would remedy the vehicle defect, but to no avail. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic and repair. The dealer stated that owner of the vehicle would have to pay for repairs. The contact stated that even though the check engine light was out after repair, the vehicle still defective. The failure mileage was 177,055. The current mileage was 177,106. Updated 5/6/10 *cn updated 07/09/10.*jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
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."
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.
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 1998 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 1998 Nissan Maxima reliable?
NHTSA has 113 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Nissan Maxima. The most complained-about area is air bags (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Nissan Maxima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 110,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Nissan Maxima have open recalls?
6 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.