NHTSA has 113 owner complaints on file for the 1998 Nissan Maxima[1]. The air bags and the electrical system top the list with 24 complaints each[2][3].
Most reported problems
Here is what owners reported, starting with the biggest groups. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name more than one part.
- Air Bags. 24 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe air bags that stayed shut in hard frontal crashes. Others describe an air bag warning light that kept coming back after repeated shop visits.
- Electrical System. 24 complaints[3]. Owners describe burned wiring, a battery that failed badly, and a car that stalled and smoked at an intersection. Headlight connectors that kept burning out also come up.
- Brakes. 10 complaints[6]. Owners describe grinding noises when the pedal is released and a rear cable that would not let go.
- Structure. 8 complaints[7]. In the stories we read, owners found the support that holds the radiator and engine rusted through or split, often after buying the car.
- Engine. 7 complaints[8].
- Visibility. 6 complaints[9].
- Suspension. 6 complaints[10].
- Power Train. 6 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 1998 Maxima is necessarily included.
- Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator (02V171), June 2002. About 161,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names.[12]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR None[14].
How 1998 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 152 | 0 |
| 1996 | 96 | 0 |
| 1997 | 102 | 1 |
| 1998 | 113 | 1 |
| 1999 | 165 | 0 |
| 2000 | 360 | 0 |
| 2001 | 172 | 3 |
| 2002 | 205 | 6 |
| 2003 | 206 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1,426 | 2 |
| 2005 | 948 | 2 |
| 2006 | 576 | 2 |
| 2007 | 129 | 1 |
| 2008 | 79 | 0 |
| 2009 | 339 | 1 |
| 2010 | 275 | 1 |
| 2011 | 106 | 0 |
| 2012 | 107 | 0 |
| 2013 | 62 | 0 |
| 2014 | 96 | 0 |
| 2016 | 142 | 8 |
| 2017 | 106 | 4 |
| 2018 | 36 | 2 |
| 2019 | 18 | 1 |
| 2020 | 22 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 |
| 2022 | 5 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Maxima show 113 complaints and 1 recalls for 1998[4]. Among the 28 model years listed, 14 have fewer complaints than 1998 and 13 have more[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2023 (1) and the most are for 2004 (1,426)[4]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 1998 Maxima?
The 1998 Maxima shows 113 complaints on file[1]. Air bags and the electrical system lead the list[2][3], and 8 of the air bag complaints mention a crash[2], while 9 of the electrical complaints mention a fire[3]. Some of the 8 structure complaints describe a rusted front support, which is worth checking on a car this old[7]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what owners describe, not a score. If you are shopping for one, check the air bag light, the wiring and the front structure with care.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 1998 Nissan Maxima?
- Air bags and the electrical system each have 24 complaints[2][3]. Brakes follow with 10[6] and structure with 8[7].
- Has the 1998 Nissan Maxima been recalled?
- Yes. The by-year facts show 1 recall for this model year[4]. The Recalls section on this page lists it.
- How many complaints does the 1998 Nissan Maxima have?
- NHTSA has 113 owner complaints on file[1].
- Is the 1998 Nissan Maxima reliable?
- Owner reports include air bag, electrical and rust trouble[2][3][7]. See the by-year section on this page to compare it with other years of the same model.
- What is the gas mileage of the 1998 Nissan Maxima?
- See the Fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Nissan Maxima
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 113 owner complaints on file for the 1998 Nissan Maxima (13 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 9 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 24 complaints name the air bags component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,263). NHTSA vehicle records
- 24 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 9 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 130,498). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Maxima model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Maxima, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 10 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 149,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 148,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 02V171, filed June 24, 2002: Electrical System › Alternator / Generator / Regulator. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Maxima, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records