1999 Nissan Maxima: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 165 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (47% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 165 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Car had just been shut off from running to store I ran inside my house real quick came back out to leave again but car didn't start. Battery light came on and I noticed white smoke coming from under hood. Smelled like electrical parts were burning so I opened hood to notice fire coming from alternator. I used my shirt to put out and during inspection of damage found the fire burned wire harnesses and part of valve cover assembly where oil cap is located. This is an original oem part and the car only has 118,000 original miles. Found that a recall was done on the years prior for same issue but dealer stated they would not do nothing due to no recall. Alternator s don't just catch fire...”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 nissan maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, who stated the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2014
“Excessive rusting to the radiator support component. While regular oil change time, a mechanics noticed the excessive rusting of a body part that supports the radiator. This is vital part that supports the radiator. It could be dangerous if radiator drops while driving on any highway at stated speed. Nissan maxima has multiple rusting issue with body for this generation of car. Problem with radiator support is one of the dangerous since it can kill or hurt many if radiator falls due to rusted support. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 nissan maxima. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger side seat belts would not retract. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the retractor would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2013
“Garage-kept since new 1999 nissan maxima has developed severe rust/body rot in the "radiator support member" which also attaches front engine mount points. This damage was caught during an oil change when the protective plastic shield was removed - which exposed the degree of danger. Inattentive owners could miss this entirely and the engine could literally rip from the car over severe bumps! Be sure to check under your radiator! *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2012
“The ignition coils are defective. The coils will, after a brief time, begin to misfire again even after being replaced. Many people have blogged with this same problem. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 nissan maxima. The contact stated that the ignition coils failed on the vehicle. The failure caused the check engine light to illuminate and the vehicle to lose power. The dealer inspected but could not find anything wrong. A different mechanic stated that three of the six engine coils failed. The failure mileage was 143,500 and the current mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2010
“I'm very disappointed in my girlfriend's purchase of a 99 maxima gle. The car runs very rough and almost stalls everytime you brake. After researching this I have found 1000's of complaints about this issue. Apparently the coil packs go bad frequently. This is a problem for stopping and acceleration into oncoming traffic. Very,very dangerous. There really should be some action by nissan to correct this problem.asap anything info you have on this problem would be helpful to us. Thank you *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2010
“1999 nissan maxima - runs rough and loses power. Has less power when pulling away from stop sign into intersection. Has been happening for over 1 year. Ignition coil problems need to replace all 6 coils, have replaced egr valve, o2 sensors and plugs to no avail. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2010
“1999 nissan maxima, ignition coil failure and service engine soon light on. Car looses pickup, rough idling and knocking. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - 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 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.
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.
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 1999 Nissan Maxima reliable?
NHTSA has 165 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Nissan Maxima. The most complained-about area is electrical system (47% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Nissan Maxima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 79,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 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.