1999 Nissan Maxima problems
The Nissan Maxima is a car manufactured and marketed by Nissan and offered as Nissan's flagship sedan primarily in North America, the Middle East, South Korea, and China—and currently in its eighth generation. Having debuted for model year 1982 as the Datsun Maxima, it replaced the earlier Datsun 810. The name Maxima dates to the 1981 model year when Datsun marketed the upscale 810 as the 810 Maxima in North America. Like the 810, early versions of the Maxima had their origins in the Datsun/Nissan Bluebird. It is renamed to Nissan Maxima when the Datsun brand was phased out for the 1985 model year.
The Maxima was marketed as an upscale alternative to the Altima and prior to 1993, the Stanza, distinguished by features such as a premium interior and V6 engine. Most Maximas were built in Oppama, Japan, until North American assembly began in Smyrna, Tennessee for the 2004 model year.
For the US and Canada, Nissan ended production of the Maxima in July 2023.
Outside North America, the Maxima nameplate has also been applied to variants or trim levels of several other models.
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Common 1999 Nissan Maxima problems
The Nissan Maxima, produced in 1999, is known for several common problems that have been reported by owners. These issues include:
- Power Steering Pump Leak: The 1995-2001 Nissan Maxima models, including the 1999 model, are known for power steering pump leaks. This issue can result in noisy and unstable steering, as well as potential damage to the lower control arm bushing. The repair cost for this problem can be expensive, ranging from $400 to $1000.
- Transmission Malfunction: The 1999 Nissan Maxima has been reported to have transmission malfunction and failure issues. This problem can lead to jerky shifting and, if not addressed, can result in costly repairs. The 2004 model year is considered the worst for transmission problems, with an average repair cost of $2,500.
- Faulty Takata Airbags: The 5th generation Nissan Maxima, including the 2000-2003 model years, was affected by the Takata airbag recall. The faulty airbags can explode and shoot metal fragments after deployment, potentially causing injuries or deaths.
- Defective Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): The 7th and 8th generation Maxima models, including some 1999 models, were affected by faulty AEB systems. This issue can cause the vehicle to brake suddenly without obstructions on the road, leading to potential accidents and lawsuits.
It is essential to address these issues promptly to ensure the safety and longevity of the vehicle. Regular maintenance and check-ups can help prevent some of these problems, and it is recommended to consult a trusted mechanic or dealership for repairs.
What is the main problem with Nissan Maxima?
RepairPal gave the Nissan Maxima a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, ranking it 9th out of 32 car brands in the same category. The Nissan Maxima suffers from a few common problems, including a leaking and low-pressure air conditioning hose, transmission malfunction and failure, and a faulty front-seat wire harness.
What year is 4th Gen Maxima?
1995 to 1999
The fourth-generation Maxima saw a new engine, rear suspension and interior upgrades. In 1995, it was chosen as Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year and was included on Car and Driver's 10Best list.
How reliable is Nissan Maxima SL?
Nissan Maxima Reliability Rating Breakdown. The Nissan Maxima Reliability Rating is 3.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 9th out of 12 for fullsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $540 which means it has lower than average ownership costs.
What does Nissan Maxima mean?
The Nissan Maxima is a car manufactured and marketed by Nissan and offered as Nissan's flagship sedan primarily in North America, the Middle East, South Korea, and China—and currently in its eighth generation. Having debuted for model year 1982 as the Datsun Maxima, it replaced the earlier Datsun 810.
1999 Nissan Maxima car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Nissan Maxima problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Air bags problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1999 Nissan Maxima vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1999 Nissan Maxima
The NHTSA has received 176 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1999 Nissan Maxima. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1999 Nissan Maxima vehicles.
2019-09-03
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-09-03
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED FLAMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH ICE WATER SHE HAD INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE 1997 AND 1998 MODELS WERE INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS A 1999, SHE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH THE RECALL. AUTONATION NISSAN MARIETTA (925 COBB PKWY SE, MARIETTA, GA 30060, 770-674-6081) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
2017-09-20
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-09-20
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JN1CA21D1XM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: 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...
2016-08-21
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-06-30
- VIN: JN1CA21AXXT
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: POSSIBLE "TAKATA RECALL." THESE PARTICULAR MAKE, MODELS AND YEAR, VEHICLES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WHERE THE AIRBAGS HAVE NOT DEPLOYED AFTER HAVE HIGH SPEED ACCIDENTS. I AM VERY SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER AND TWO OTHER SEPARATE AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOPS THAT THE AIR BAGS MUST BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF OVER $500.00, TO INSURE THEIR INTEGRITY AND THAT THEY WILL PROPERLY DEPLOY IN THE UNFORTUNATE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. RIGHT NOW I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO THE FACT THE FAILED AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED! I HAVE SEEN THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY CARS OF THIS SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR THAT HAVE COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME NATURE, EXHIBITING THE SAME AIRBAG FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ANOMALIES AND WORST OF ALL, MANY OF THEM NOT DEPLOYING AFTER HIGH SPEED ACCIDENTS WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE! PLEASE INCLUDE THESE VEHICLES IN THE TAKATA RECALLS, AS IT HAS SHOWN TO HAVE AN SIGNIFICANT MANUFACTURES DEFECT, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY CLAIM SOME LIVES IF NOT ADDRESSED ASAP; PLEASE DO NOT LET ME OR SOMEONE ELSE LOSE THEIR LIFE DUE TO THIS ISSUE NOT BEING ADDRESSED APPROPRIATELY AND IMMEDIATELY! I TRUST THAT THIS INFORMATION WILL LAND ON THE DESK OF SOMEONE WHO WILL ESTABLISH THE FACTS I HAVE PRESENTED HERE TODAY AND TAKE THE PUBLIC'S SAFETY TO HEART AND DON'T LEAVE THIS ISSUE UP TO WHATEVER FATE MAY COME OF IT! THANK YOU FOR HEARING MY VOICE, IT REPRESENTS MANY OTHERS WHO STILL DRIVE THIS SAME VEHICLE; EVEN THOUGH THE NUMBERS OF US ARE MUCH LESS AT THIS TIME THAN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST MANUFACTURED; WE STILL DESERVE THE SAME CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO ALL OF THE NEWER VEHICLES ARE RECEIVING ESPECIALLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT NUMBERS OF THOSE VEHICLES AND DRIVERS ARE MUCH GREATER! SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
2015-12-02
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-12-01
- VIN: JN1CA21D5XT
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TAKATA RECALL.
2015-08-18
STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-06-04
- Components: STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A RED LIGHT GOING UP HILL. WHEN I REACHED THE TOP OF THE HILL AND LET OFF THE PETAL, THE CAR CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED. THE BRAKE PETAL WAS STIFF AND UNRESPONSIVE. THERE WAS NOTHING UNDER THE PETAL. AS I WAS QUICKLY APPROACHING ANOTHER RED LIGHT WITH STOPPED TRAFFIC. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND ROUNDED THE YIELD INTO A DESERTED PARKING LOT DOING ABOUT 80MPH. THE CAR SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BLOW UP. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND REMOVE THE KEYS. THE CAR CONTINUED TO TRAVEL WHEN TURNED OFF WITH THE BRAKE UNRESPONSIVE. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I CLICKED IT OVER AND THE CAR CONTINUED ITS BEHAVIOR. I QUICKLY TURNED THE CAR OFF. REMOVED THE KEY AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. I INFORMED HIM OF THE PROBLEM AND ASKED HIM NOT TO START THE CAR. WHEN MY MECHANIC RECEIVED THE CAR HE INFORMED ME THAT THE STUD THAT HOLDS THE HARNESS AWAY FROM THE THROTTLE COMPONENTS HAD BROKEN OFF AND LODGED DOWN IN THERE HOLDING THE ACCELERATOR IN AN OPEN POSITION. BECAUSE THE CAR BELIEVED THE ACCELERATOR WAS BEING DEPRESSED, RENDERED THE BRAKE INACTIVE. I WAS TERRIFIED AND DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE. I THOUGHT ABOUT SELLING, ' THE CAR THAT ALMOST KILLED ME ', BUT WE OWN 2 OF THEM. MY 1999 AND MY HUSBAND'S 2000. I HAVE THE LUXURY EDITION AND IT HAS BEEN A VERY GOOD CAR. JUST FEEL I HAVE BEEN TAINTED BY THE EXPERIENCE EVEN AFTER MY MECHANIC REMOVED THE OTHER STUD AND CALLED IT A FREAK ACCIDENT. OBVIOUSLY I'M STILL THINKING ABOUT IT. AND YES I DID LOOK AT OUR 2000 MAXIMA TO SEE IF IT MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THOSE COMPONENTS ARE NOT IN THE SAME POSITION. JUST MINE.
2015-06-17
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-03-24
- VIN: JN1CA21D9XM
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR, THE KNOCK SENSOR AND THE COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE KNOCK SENSOR, SOLENOID CONTROL AND THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. MA 08/13/15 UPDATED 10/25/2017*CN
2014-08-04
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-02-24
- VIN: JN1CA21D6XT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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.
2013-08-22
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-04-15
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: 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
2013-08-22
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-07-10
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: AFTER FILLING GAS TO THE FULL TANK, CAR WAS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE. SOON GARAGE SMELLED LIKE A GAS SPILL/LEAK. LOOKED AROUND AND UNDER THE CAR FOR LEAKAGE. NO VISIBLE SIGN OF LEAK. HAD TO MOVE THE CAR OUTSIDE THE GARAGE TO AVOID FILLING THE GARAGE WITH GASOLINE SMELL AND FUMES AND AVOID ANY POSSIBLE HAZARDS TO HOUSE AND HUMAN. NEXT DAY, TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. MECHANICS CHECKED IT OUT AND MENTIONED THAT GAS FILLER PIPE (METAL PIPE BETWEEN GAS FILLING HOLE TO GAS TANK) IS RUSTED AND HAS HOLES FROM WHERE THE GAS LIQUID ESCAPED AND SMELLED. IF I HAD LEFT THE CAR IN GARAGE FOR OVERNIGHT, WHICH COULD HAVE FILLED UP GARAGE WITH GASOLINE FUMES AND COULD HAVE CREATED HAZARDS CONDITION. ALSO, HAVING HOLE IN THE FILLER PIPELINE IS ALSO A POTENTIAL HAZARDS SINCE GAS SPILLING CAN HAPPEN ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAN ALSO CREATE FIRE HAZARDS SITUATION IF THERE IS ANY SPARK NEAR BY. SPILLING WOULD NOT BE VISIBLE UNLESS HOLE GETS BIGGER AND MASS AMOUNT OF GAS RUSHES OUT. IN ANY CASE, GAS LEAK IS DANGEROUS TO ENVIRONMENT AND HUMANS. NISSAN SHOULD PROVIDE THE FIX AT NO CHARGE TO CUSTOMERS. *TR
2013-03-27
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-01-15
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: 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
2012-08-09
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-08-02
- VIN: JN1CA21A4XT
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 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
2011-12-02
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-11-30
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JN1CA21D8XT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: STARTED THE CAR. HEARD A STRANGE NOISE WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ABOUT 10 MPH, THEN SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, STOPPED THE CAR AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE ENGINE. TURNED THE CAR OFF, OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS ON FIRE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, FOUND SEVERAL CASES WHERE THE 1999 MAXIMA HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE ALTERNATOR CATCHING ON FIRE, IN SOME CASES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BURN. ALSO FOUND OUT THAT NISSAN HAD A RECALL ON THE 1998 MAXIMA FOR ALTERNATOR FIRES. CALLED NISSAN ABOUT THE PROBLEM. A NISSAN REP CALLED BACK AND CALLED IT A "THERMAL INCIDENT." I EXPLAINED THAT A FIRE IS NOT A "THERMAL INCIDENT" BUT IS A FIRE (THIS IS LIKE DESCRIBING A SHOTGUN WOUND AS ACUTE LEAD POISONING). THE NISSAN REP SAID THAT DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE, ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN. I EXPLAINED THAT I UNDERSTAND THAT COMPONENTS DO FAIL OVER TIME, BUT THAT A FIRE IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THIS EVENT COULD HAVE CAUSED A HOUSE TO BURN DOWN OR A CAR ACCIDENT. THE NISSAN REP SAID THAT THE LIFE OF A NISSAN IS 100,000 MILES AND BASICALLY SAID THAT ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN AFTER THAT. I ASKED HER IF THAT WAS NISSAN'S POSITION AND SHE ASSURED ME THAT SHE SPOKE FOR NISSAN. I EXPLAINED THAT I HAD SEVERAL CARS WITH OVER 100,000 MILES AND THAT I HAD REPLACED COMPONENTS, BUT NONE OF THE VEHICLES CAUSED A FIRE. SEARCH THE INTERNET FOR MAXIMA ALTERNATOR FIRE--THERE ARE SEVERAL INSTANCES FOR YEARS BEFORE AND INCLUDING 1999. THIS SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MAXIMA AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED. CAR FIRES ARE UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
2011-09-15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-08-16
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL MOMENTARILY BEFORE STALLING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT TWO OXYGEN SENSORS FAILED. THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTERS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT EITHER THE ENGINE WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL OR THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. UPON EXAMINING THE VEHICLE FURTHER, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT A LOT OF WATER WAS BEING STORED WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENTS DUE TO A CLOGGED HOSE. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE HOSE AND DRAINED THE WATER FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED SINCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2011-07-17
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-05-31
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: I AM A NISSAN TECHNICIAN, AND I HAVE BECOME CONCERNED WITH THE AMOUNT OF FOURTH GENERATION (1995-1999) MAXIMAS I HAVE SEEN WITH SUBSTANTIAL RADIATOR SUPPORT RUST. THIS OF COURSE CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THE CROSSMEMBER, WHICH ATTACHES TO THE SUPPORT TO FORM THE LOWER ENGINE CRADLE. IN MANY INSTANCES, THE RUST GETS SO BAD THE CROSSMEMBER DROPS AND CAUSES A VERY REAL DANGER FOR DRIVERS, AND OTHERS -- IF THE CROSSMEMBER WERE TO GET CAUGHT ON THE EDGE OF A NASTY POTHOLE AS THE CAR GOES OVER, AN ACCIDENT IS GUARANTEED. THE EASY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO BRING THESE CARS BACK, AND JUST SECTION IN A PIECE OF GOOD STEEL, TAP IT, AND BOLT THE CROSSMEMBER BACK UP, AND UNDERCOAT THE REPAIRED AREA. THIS ISSUE CAN BE RECTIFIED, AND MANY CARS CAN BE SAVED FROM THE SCRAP HEAP, FOR THIS PROBLEM IS ENOUGH TO RENDER AN OTHERWISE TROUBLE-FREE CAR UNFIT FOR THE ROAD. I HOPE THIS ISSUE IS CONSIDERED, AND ACTED UPON BY NHTSA & NISSAN, SINCE IT OCCURS ONLY IN CONDITIONS OF HIGH SALT\CALCIUM WINTER ROADS. I AM NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE OCCURRING OUTSIDE OF WHAT IS TERMED THE RUST BELT - SO ITS NOT AS IF AN EXORBITANT NUMBER OF CARS WOULD REQUIRE REPAIRS. *TR
2011-05-19
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-05-07
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: LURCHING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. BRAKING DID NOT SLOW THE CAR! TERRIFYING! USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW ENOUGH TO PULL OVER AND TAKE NEXT EXIT. COULD NOT STOP AT STOP SIGN OF EXIT RAMP. PULLED INTO GAS STATION AND CHANGED AUTO TRANSMISSION GEAR. STOPPED WITH A VIOLENT LURCH AND THUD. TURNED ENGINE OFF. AAA WAS ABLE TO START CAR AND LOAD ONTO TOW RAMP. TAKEN TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND "NO CODES." DRIVING AND INSPECTION DID NOT FIND CAUSE. WHEN BROUGHT IT IN, SAID IT WOULD COST $98.00 TO CHECK IT OVER. AFTER NISSAN ENGINEER FROM NATIONAL DID INVESTIGATION, WOULD NOT RETURN OUR CALLS.. DEALER SAID CAUSE NOT FOUND- !CAR FINE TO DRIVE." CAR WAS THERE A WEEK. NO CHARGE. NO EXPLANATION. WHEN ASKED FOR TRADE-IN VALUE, GOT VERY LOW QUOTE. FELT LIKE A COVER-UP. *TR
2011-02-14
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-03-03
- VIN: JN1CA21D0XM
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 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.
2010-09-28
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-09-13
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: NEED 6 ENGINE COILS ON 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. *TR
2010-08-02
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-06-09
- VIN: JN1CA21D2XT
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT DISPLAYED AT APPROXIMATELY 140K MILES. COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED REPLACEMENT OF KNOCK SENSOR. REPLACED BY INDEPENDENT NISSAN MECHANIC. LIGHT REAPPEARED 1 WEEK LATER. MECHANIC CHECKED ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND FOUND IT TO BE OKAY. DUE TO KNOWN ISSUES WITH MAXIMA IGNITION COILS ALL 6 WERE REPLACED BY SAME INDEPENDENT NISSAN MECHANIC. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AWAY FROM MECHANIC. DIAGNOSTICS WAS VAGUE, GENERAL MESSAGE. TOOK VEHICLE TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. DEALER INDICATED THAT USING AFTER MARKET COILS WAS THE PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT PROMISE THAT USING OFFICIAL NISSAN PARTS WOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. CONTACTED NISSAN NATIONAL OFFICE, BUT THE CORPORATE OFFICE REFUSES TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM. THE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH INTERFERENCE WITH THE COILS BUT NISSAN WOULD NOT REPLACE THE COILS. REPLACING PARTS AND DIAGNOSTICS FROM 3 MECHANICS IN ADDITION TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP COST OVER $2000.00. AT PRESENT, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON WITH THE VAGUE CODE AND NISSAN HAS NO IDEA OF HOW TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR
2010-06-23
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-11-01
- VIN: JN1CA21D4XM
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA, IGNITION COIL FAILURE AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON. CAR LOOSES PICKUP, ROUGH IDLING AND KNOCKING. *TR
2010-05-17
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-05-17
- VIN: JN1CA21D0XT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,EQUIPMENT
- Summary: I BOUGHT A NISSAN MAXIMA 1999 FOR MY DAUGHTER ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT SHE GOT IN HER CAR ONE MORNING AFTER JUST HAVING HER VEHICLE AT A MECHANIC FOR A CHECK UP/SERVICE. THEY TOLD HER THE CAR WAS FINE. SHE THEN PROCEEDED DOWN THE ROAD TO THE FREEWAY, STOPPED FOR GAS AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. PANICKED BY THE 'AREA' OF TOWN SHE WAS IN I HAD A TOW TRUCK FROM AAA DISPATCHED TO MEET HER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE KEY TO THE VEHICLE HAD BECOME DEPROGRAMMED. I PROCEEDED TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO HELP ME UNLESS I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEM. A SCAM ALERT TO ENSURE THAT YOU MUST USE A DEALERSHIP AT HIGH COST. MY FEAR IS THAT SHOULD MY DAUGHTER BE HEADED THROUGH THE ARIZONA DESERT IN 120 HEAT AND THIS SAME SITUATION WOULD HAVE COME UP WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO CONTACT SOMEONE, HER (OR ANYONE ELSE'S) LIFE COULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER. I FIND THIS KEY MALFUNCTIONING TO BE A SEVER SAFETY HAZARD AND THAT MORE PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT THEY COULD ENDANGER THEIR LIVES IF THE KEY MALFUNCTIONS AND THEY ARE NOT NEAR A DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. I HAVE ANOTHER NISSAN FX45 THAT I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE FOR FEAR THAT THE KEY COULD MALFUNCTION IN A SIMILAR MANNER LEAVING ME STRANDED AS WELL. *TR
2010-04-14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-06-15
- VIN: JN1CA21D7XT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I HAD CHECK IGNITION LIGHT ON WHILE MY 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND FOR YEARS AFTER THAT. YOU GET TIRED OF GOING BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM IS NEVER SOLVED. THE PROBLEM TURNS OUT TDO BE THE IGNITION COILS; ALL REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $800.00. THE RECEIPT IS IN THE CAR AND I CAN PRODUCE MY EXACT COST OF REPAIR IF A RECALL WOULD BE ISSUED. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. MY LIGHT HAS NOT COME ON SINCE REPLACING ALL THE COILS. HOPEFULLY MY COMPLAINT WILL BE THE ONE THAT BEGINS AN ACTION BY YOU. *TR
2010-04-08
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-04-07
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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
2010-02-27
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-02-19
- VIN: JV1CA21D7XM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE COILS ON MY NISSAN MAXIMA 1999 CAN NEVER GET FIXED. THIS A "NISSAN PART" PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I HAVE THE CAR FOR ALMOST 6 YEARS AND THE COILS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE I FIRST GOT THE CAR. THE DO NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBLY ON THIS AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS NOT BEING RESOLVED BY ANYBODY. PLEASE LOOK ON THE INTERNET AND YOU WILL SEE THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE BEING RIPPED OFF BY THE NISSAN DEALERS. I WILL GIVE YOU A WEBSITE AND YOU WILL SEE THAT I AM NOT TELLING YOU JOKES. HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/NISSAN/MAXIMA/R64073/. AGAIN, THERE IS NO SOLVE TO THIS PROBLEM, EVEN IF WE CHANGE THE COILS TEN TIMES, THE PROBLEM WILL STILL REMIND. PLEASE, YOU ARE THE GOVERNMENT AND THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I HOPE THIS HELPS TO GET MORE PEOPLE AND FINALLY MAKE THEM PAY FOR THIS PART IGNITION COILS ARE A DEFECTIVE PARTS ON NISSAN MAXIMAS 1999!!!!!! *TR
2010-02-22
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-02-19
- VIN: JN1CA21A4XT
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: 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
2010-02-14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-02-10
- VIN: JN1CA21D2XT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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
1999 Nissan Maxima recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 1999 Nissan Maxima.
2009-05-11
- Manufacturer: DOPE, INC.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- 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.
2008-08-11
- Manufacturer: K2 MOTOR CORPORATION
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Summary: 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."
- Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- 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.
2006-05-24
- Manufacturer: CK MOTORSPORT, INC.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- 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.
2006-03-23
- Manufacturer: PRO-A MOTORS, INC.
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- 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.
Negative 1999 Nissan Maxima car reviews
Positive 1999 Nissan Maxima car reviews
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So glad to hear that your car has been reliable so far! It's great to know that you haven't had any major problems with it, except for that one time when the Anti Theft device needed to be reprogrammed. I completely agree with you that the car has good power, a spacious interior, and a great look, especially with the Sport Package. It's wonderful to hear that you would buy another one!
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Built well and very few repairs, if any. It's comfortable and hugs the road, making for a smooth drive. Plus, it's pretty and presentable, with plenty of room inside.
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I was searching for a Honda, but the resale value was too high. So, I decided to purchase the Maxima instead, and I have not regretted it since. The engine still sounds new and performs incredibly well, even after nearly 150,000 miles. While incidental maintenance can become an issue as the car gets older (such as alternator, cylinder, and plugs), major failures seem near impossible. In my opinion, this is the best pre-owned car value on the road!
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Experience wonderful. Gutsy 5 speed with lot of torque. Extremely comfortable on long trips and drives like a dream. Car is very roomy and controls are well laid out and gauges are easy to read.
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I remember the days when my uncle would drive his Datsun truck and rave about its reliability and low maintenance! However, years have passed and Datsun/Nissan is now only Nissan. Now, it is I who is raving about the reliability, ride, and comfort of my Nissan. While it may not be the best vehicle ever, I have mistreated it, doing burnouts on every corner in my 20's, and have only needed minor tune-ups from the dealer. Despite this, it still runs like a champ!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1999 Nissan Maxima problems:
1999 Nissan Maxima Problems and Complaints - 10 Issues
https://repairpal.com/1999-nissan-maxima/problems
Problem with your 1999 Nissan Maxima? Our list of 10 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 1999 Nissan Maxima.
common maxima problems | Nissan Forum
https://www.nissanforums.com/threads/common-maxima-problems.28223/
Jul 9, 2003 ... i am in the market for a 1995-1999 maxima. i was wondering what kind of problems should i be lookin for in these cars?
1997 nissan maxima common problems? - Maxima Forums
https://maxima.org/forums/4th-generation-maxima-1995-1999/275787-1997-nissan-maxima-common-problems.html
Jan 12, 2005 ... 4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) - 1997 nissan maxima common problems? - I am considering purchasing a 1996 nissan maxima. it has 175K ...
I have a 1999 nissan maxima v6 3.0. The idle screw is out of ...
https://www.justanswer.com/nissan/367a9-1999-nissan-maxima-v6-3-0-idle-screw.html
Feb 21, 2010 ... Nissan Mechanic: Tim Mohr. Verified ase master tech. replied 14 years ago ago. Most common problem with these is the mass air flow meter, but ...
Nissan maxima ignition switch problem? - Maxima Forums
https://maxima.org/forums/4th-generation-maxima-1995-1999/691961-nissan-maxima-ignition-switch-problem.html
Feb 19, 2016 ... ... Generation Maxima (1995-1999) - Nissan maxima ignition switch problem ... These Nissan Maxima's are known for bad ... common problem on this model ...
Other years of Nissan Maxima
Are you having problems with your 1999 Nissan Maxima?
Jed Bins 2024-06-23
Hi there! I've been the proud owner of this car for almost 4 years now and overall, it's been a good experience. However, I have noticed that some of the original parts are of low quality and can cause issues. For example, I had to replace my tires after only 30,000 miles and my clutch after about 48,000 miles of highway driving. Unfortunately, this seems to be a common issue among Nissan Maxima owners. It's important to keep up with regular maintenance to avoid any potential problems. Just wanted to give you a heads up!