MYRModel Year Report

1990 Nissan Maxima

● Typical for this model
1990 Nissan Maxima
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:52:26.321Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
106
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Fuel system, gasoline

37% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1985: 54 complaints 1986: 63 complaints 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1990 106 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 110 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 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: 1,425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2016: 142 complaints 2017: 106 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2021: 3 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 1 complaint
1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1985: 54 complaints 1985 1986: 63 complaints 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1990 106 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 110 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1997: 102 complaints 1997 1998: 113 complaints 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2000 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2003 2004: 1,425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2009 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 1 complaint 2015 2016: 142 complaints 2017: 106 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2021: 3 complaints 2021 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 1 complaint
1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1984 1985: 54 complaints 1986: 63 complaints 1986 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1990 106 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 110 complaints 1992 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1996 1997: 102 complaints 1998: 113 complaints 1998 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2000 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2002 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 1,425 complaints 2004 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 79 complaints 2008 2009: 339 complaints 2010: 275 complaints 2010 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2014 2015: 1 complaint 2016: 142 complaints 2016 2017: 106 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2020 2021: 3 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2022 2023: 1 complaint

1990: 106 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19824
19835
198430
198554
198663
1987178
198860
198964
1990106
199177
1992110
199378
199489
1995152
199696
1997102
1998113
1999165
2000360
2001172
2002205
2003206
20041,425
2005948
2006576
2007129
200879
2009339
2010275
2011106
2012107
201362
201496
20151
2016142
2017106
201836
201918
202021
20213
20225
20231

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Fuel system, gasoline

37% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing injectors and filler pipe and cap.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1990 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while parked, he noticed a strong gasoline fuel smell being emitted from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-02-22

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

Consumer states that there is a leakage of fuel in the vehicle, causing strong fumes of fuel to get into the vehicle, resulting in having the driver not able to drive properly. Contacted dealer.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-30

Visibility

20% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

10% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and floor shift assembly.

Engine and engine cooling

8% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

Exterior lighting

8% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing switch and brake lights.

Show complaint excerpts

Rear brake lights do not light up on a regular basis when the brake pad is applied. The connectors that touch the light bulbs are very sensitive. The slightest movement causes the connection between the bulb and connetor to fail.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-09

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1996-05-15Fuel system, gasoline95V244000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles and corrective action will be taken depending upon the extent of the corrosion.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Nissan Maxima — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel system, gasoline: 39 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 21 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 11 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 95V244000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1990 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Nissan Maxima is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Nissan Maxima?
The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 Nissan Maxima have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.