Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
20–25K
525–50K
650–75K
575–100K
13100–150K
10150K+
41 reports with mileage · 72 unknown
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.
Air Bags. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports12 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
113 reports
52,300 miles · Mar 2, 2004
Air Bags
THE ABS DASH-OARD WARNING LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN SANTA FE NM. THEY TOLD ME THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED IN THE DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE, AND THAT REPLACING THE MODULE WOULD BE NECESSARY, AND THAT THE DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MAY OR MAY NOT WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. APPROXIMATE COST, $300, P…
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THE ABS DASH-OARD WARNING LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN SANTA FE NM. THEY TOLD ME THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED IN THE DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE, AND THAT REPLACING THE MODULE WOULD BE NECESSARY, AND THAT THE DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MAY OR MAY NOT WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. APPROXIMATE COST, $300, PLUS $72/HOUR LABOR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10060183
7,500 miles · Feb 28, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 WER…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10060006
110,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Air Bags
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE AIRBAG MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED.THE FIRST TWO TIMES WERE UNDER WARRANTY AND WERE DEFECTS, NOW THAT I AM AT 110000 KM I AM TOLD IT IS NOT A DEFECT AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT THEREFORE HOW IS IT THAT THE AIRBAG MODULES KEEP HAVING A PROBLEM?
NHTSA ODI #10071274
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2003
Tires
PROBLEMS WITH BIG O TIRES.*MR THE VEHICLES TIRES EXPERIENCED AN IRREGULAR WEAR PATTERN. *NLM
I OWN A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA SE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR THE REVIEWS ON THE CAR HAD STATED THAT THE POWERTRAIN SHIFTING WAS HARD AND ROUGH.SINCE I HAD THE CAR IT HAS BEEN DOING JUST THAT . IT SHIFTS SO HARD SOMETIMES FROM A STOP THAT I…
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I OWN A 1998 NISSAN MAXIMA SE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR THE REVIEWS ON THE CAR HAD STATED THAT THE POWERTRAIN SHIFTING WAS HARD AND ROUGH.SINCE I HAD THE CAR IT HAS BEEN DOING JUST THAT . IT SHIFTS SO HARD SOMETIMES FROM A STOP THAT I FEEL THAT ITS NOT GOING TO GO INTO GEAR.ITS NOT DRIVEN HARD AT ALL, SO COULD SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON NOW FROM MY TORQUE CONVERTER CIRCUIT BEING INTERMITTENED.I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH, THANKS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10026036
47,700 miles · Jun 24, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF GAS SENSOR, OXYGEN SENSOR AND FUEL RECOVERY VALVE ASSEMBLY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10023648
35,302 miles · Jun 24, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. REQUIRED A NEW GAS SENSOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10023646
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2003
Seat Belts
CONSUMER'S SON WRAPPED THE SEAT BELT AROUND HIS WAIST, THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED AND HAD TO BE CUT OFF. *AK
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE COMBUSTIBLE GAS EMITTED BY THE MELTING PLASTIC DOES NOT DISPERSE DUE TO AIR FLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT COULD IGNITE AND IN TURN IGNITE THE FAN GUIDE IN THE ALTERNATOR.
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.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1998 Nissan Maxima Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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