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1988 Nissan Maxima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1988 Nissan Maxima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 99.

About this comparison →
60Owner complaints

Model-year median: 99

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
54
198560
1986176
198760
198862
1989106
199076
1991
Compare all Maxima years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Fuel System, Gasoline
28Engine And Engine Cooling
12Seat Belts
7Electrical System
6Steering
3
All reported categories
Vehicle Speed Control
2Visibility
2Exterior Lighting
1Power Train
1Structure
1Suspension
1Tires
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 60 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports32 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2001
Electrical SystemFire

TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND THEN WENT INSIDE OF STORE. THEN, SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER GLOVE COMPARTMENT. TRIED TO OPEN HOOD, AND FIRE WAS COMING FROM HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877677

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THERE WAS SMOKE, WENT HOME TO CHECK, CAR WAS ON FIRE . FIRE WAS A RESULT OF A RECALL ON THE FUEL INJECTORS. NISSAN DOES NOT WANT TO REIMBURSE FOR REPAIRS. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #803294

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SMELLED SMOKE, PULLED VEHICLE OVER, OPENED HOOD AND CAR WAS ON FIRE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #803222

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNDER THE DASH COMPARTMENT FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT, WIRIES COMPLETE BURNED GOING TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #980771

Mileage unknown · May 11, 1995
Electrical SystemFire

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE CAR WAS PARKED, WILL PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. TT

NHTSA ODI #965161

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 1995
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TT

NHTSA ODI #958682

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA94018 · Fuel Injector Assembly Leakage

Opened Jun 23, 1994 · Closed Nov 8, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.SERVICE CAMPAIGN 95I-006.

PE94018 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Feb 22, 1994 · Closed Jun 23, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available