MYRModel Year Report

1999 Nissan Maxima

◆ Worse than typical
1999 Nissan Maxima
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:40:44.344Z

This year had 30% to 100% more 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
165
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Electrical system

53% 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 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 77 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 1999 165 2000: 360 complaints 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 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1991 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 1999 165 2000: 360 complaints 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 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 1999: 165 complaints 1999 165 2000: 360 complaints 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

1999: 165 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.

Electrical system

53% · 87 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and module.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact smelled an electrical burning odor and various warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-09-03

Car had just been shut off from running to store I ran inside my house real quick came back out to leave again but car didn't start. Battery light came on and I noticed white smoke coming from under hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-09-20

Also filed under Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-04-21

Engine and engine cooling

25% · 41 reports

Most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I have a 1999 Nissan Maxima and have had the check engine light on. Checked the code and came back with cylinder 1 misfire. Dealer wanted $1,000 to "Try and fix the problem". I don't have that kind of money.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-03-10

Garage-kept since new 1999 Nissan Maxima has developed severe rust/body rot in the "Radiator support member" Which also attaches front engine mount points.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-09

Air bags

11% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer states that has been on a front collision air bags did not deploy. Dealer was not contacted. Ts

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-22

When traveling on the highway at 60 MPH an accident ocurred and there was a crash. During this occurrence, driver's side air bag, as well as the passenger's side air bag did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-08-17

Also filed under Seat belts

Vehicle invoved in a collision with another vehicle which ran in front of consumer, and caused consumer to hit the other vehicle on driver side; consumer's air bags failed to deploy. Dealer/manufacturer notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-07-14

Power train

5% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.

Service brakes

5% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1999Complaint volume 165 complaints filed for this model year.
  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
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. 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

1999 Nissan Maxima — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 87 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 41 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08E050000 · 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 1999 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Nissan Maxima is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Nissan Maxima?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 53% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 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.