1989 Nissan Maxima

▲ Better than typical
1989 Nissan Maxima
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:05:08.084Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Maxima Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1989 highlighted. 1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1985: 54 complaints 1986: 60 complaints 1987: 176 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 62 complaints 1989 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 76 complaints 1992: 110 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1997: 102 complaints 1998: 113 complaints 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2000 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 1425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 78 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 95 complaints 2015: 1 complaints 2016: 142 complaints 2017: 102 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2021: 3 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 1 complaints 2023
1989: 62 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19824
19835
198430
198554
198660
1987176
198860
198962
1990106
199176
1992110
199378
199489
1995152
199696
1997102
1998113
1999165
2000360
2001172
2002205
2003206
20041425
2005948
2006576
2007129
200878
2009339
2010275
2011106
2012107
201362
201495
20151
2016142
2017102
201836
201918
202021
20213
20225
20231

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 10%

10% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 6 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 6 distinct reports on file.

VISIBILITY 8%

8% of complaints: visibility — 5 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 8%

8% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 5 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE FUEL TANK HAD CRACK CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT AND THE CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO REFILL MORE THAN OFTEN. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR

NHTSA ODI report, 20021010

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19960515 — fuel system, gasoline

IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A MIXTURE OF MUD AND SALT TO GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND WHEEL HOUSING. THE TRAPPED MUD AND SALT CAN RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND THE WHEEL HOUSI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN DEPENDING UPON THE EXTENT OF THE CORROSION.

Campaign 95V244000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1989 Nissan Maxima — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 95V244000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1984 ▲ 2018 ▲ 1985

WORST YEARS

■ 2004 ■ 2005 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1989 Nissan Maxima reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Nissan Maxima is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Nissan Maxima?

The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap, accounting for 10% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1989 Nissan Maxima have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.