Known Recalls

Model year record

1998 Nissan Maxima

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 133 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V171000

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Component
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
161,000
Reported to NHTSA
2002-06-24
Owners notified
2002-07-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags11110,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator11113,000 mi
Air bags: frontal8110,000 mi
Electrical system7170,000 mi
Tires778,282 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip540,500 mi
Unknown or other5183,025 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module440,278 mi
Air bags: side/window452,300 mi
Structure: frame and members4110,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3—
Power train: automatic transmission356,500 mi
Suspension364,336 mi
Vehicle speed control398,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition2—
Engine2155,418 mi
Engine and engine cooling2148,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control235,302 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter256,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Steering: rack and pinion2—
Structure2183,025 mi
Structure: body2148,000 mi
Visibility: windshield2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2—
Child seat1—
Child seat: material/padding1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine169,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1130,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Fuel system, other1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor17,500 mi
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system1—
Suspension: multiple axle171,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.