1999 Nissan Maxima problems
Owners have filed 215 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Nissan Maxima. Electrical system is the most reported problem area, at 40% of complaints. After that come engine (19%) and air bags (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 215 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 41% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 9 and 7
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 80,000 miles 121 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 10 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 21 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 27 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 16 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 11 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 16 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 12 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 3 |
What the data shows
Among the 121 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 80,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 71,000 miles (51 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 9 complaints mention a crash; 7 complaints mention a fire; 1 injury reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1999 ranks 13th most-complained-about out of 30 model years of the Nissan Maxima with enough data (97 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
1999 nissan maxima - jn1ca21a 3xm300571 this complaint is in reference to nissan's recall of 97/98 maximas. The recall was for a faulty alternator. I have a 1999 nissan maxima (build date 6/98) that had the same exact problem/symptom as the recall. The campaign id / NHTSA # is r2010 or r2015 \ 02v-171. 4/8/05 - started my car and heard a humming noise coming from engine. I got out and opened the hood and saw a white smoke coming from the alternator. After further investigation saw a fire in the alternator.
With my 1999 nissan maxima se v6, egr valve related issues were detected and engine light started to come up soon after the ignition. According to nissan dealer, oxygen sensors and egr valves work is need that would cost $1800 or more. At that time the car mileage was around 80,000. I could not afford to fix that. But later one of the rod in the engine broken, fire started under the engine while I was driving at 70 m/h on the highway.
While driving my car, it started to miss, sputter, run bad, vibrate and almost turn off. The check engine light came on and after having the codes read (p1320) and researching DTC p1320 and/or spark knock (detonation) due to ignition coil (s). I find out that this is a very common problem with several years of maximas. I also found out that there are newer coils with a gray DOT, that is to be used to replace the older defective ones.
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.