NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 115 owner complaints for the 1998 Nissan Maxima. Most complaints involve electrical system (24) and air bags (24). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Maxima model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 102 |
| 1997 | 110 |
| 1998 | 115 |
| 1999 | 174 |
| 2000 | 376 |
| 2001 | 181 |
| 2002 | 220 |
| 2003 | 206 |
| 2004 | 1,426 |
| 2005 | 948 |
| 2006 | 576 |
| 2007 | 129 |
| 2008 | 79 |
| 2009 | 339 |
| 2010 | 275 |
| 2011 | 106 |
| 2012 | 107 |
| 2013 | 62 |
| 2014 | 96 |
| 2016 | 142 |
| 2017 | 106 |
| 2018 | 36 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
“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.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH AND TRAVELED OVER A PATCH OF ICE. THE VEHICLE THEN SPUN AROUND AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT CRASHED HEAD FIRST INTO AN UNKNOWN OBJECT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED KNEE AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE WERE PRESENT ON SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE SERVICED TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.”
“BRAKES FAILED TO HOLD AND SMOKE CAME FROM REAR BRAKES. AT APPROX 7500 MILES, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE GRINDING AND SQEALING BRAKE SOUNDS.THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. CARS WAS TAKEN BACK ON TWO MORE OCCASIONS TO REPORT BRAKE SOUNDS. DEALERSHIP COULD REPRODUCE SOUNDS DURING TEST DRIVE AND SAID THE BRAKES WERE FINE. THE LAST INCIDENT WITH THE LOCK UP AND SMOKE, VEHICLE WITH APPROX.44,000 MILES WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING BRAKE RELINE AND REAR BRAKE CABLES AT A COST OF $400 PLUS. THE PROBLEM OF TOO MUCH BRAKE PEDAL WAS SAID TO BE THE NORM. BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WAS NEVER THIS MUCH WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.*AK”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxima Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Maxima Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
6 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 115 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (24), air bags (24), service brakes, hydraulic (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1998 Nissan Maxima at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).