1989 Nissan Maxima
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1982 | 4 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 30 |
| 1985 | 54 |
| 1986 | 60 |
| 1987 | 176 |
| 1988 | 60 |
| 1989 | 62 |
| 1990 | 106 |
| 1991 | 76 |
| 1992 | 110 |
| 1993 | 78 |
| 1994 | 89 |
| 1995 | 152 |
| 1996 | 96 |
| 1997 | 102 |
| 1998 | 113 |
| 1999 | 165 |
| 2000 | 360 |
| 2001 | 172 |
| 2002 | 205 |
| 2003 | 206 |
| 2004 | 1425 |
| 2005 | 948 |
| 2006 | 576 |
| 2007 | 129 |
| 2008 | 78 |
| 2009 | 339 |
| 2010 | 275 |
| 2011 | 106 |
| 2012 | 107 |
| 2013 | 62 |
| 2014 | 95 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 142 |
| 2017 | 102 |
| 2018 | 36 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
10% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 6 distinct reports on file.
10% of complaints: electrical system — 6 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: visibility — 5 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file.
CRASH8% 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
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
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
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
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
WORST YEARS
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.