VehicleVerdict

1990 Nissan Maxima fuel system problems

The 1990 Nissan Maxima has 41 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 30% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

41

Fuel System complaints

30%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints by year

Related recalls

95V244000Fuel SystemDecember 15, 1995 · 747,000 units

Defect

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 HOUSING.

Consequence

SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE MAY RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. IN ADDITION, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS MOUNTED TO THE WHEEL HOUSING AND IN THE EVENT OF SIGNIFICANT CORROSION, AND THE MOUNTING COULD FAIL IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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

What owners report

DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING; HAD REPLACED MOTOR OIL; VEHICLE STILL SHAKES; DRIVING & NOTICED SMOKE FROM A/C & UNDERHOOD; VEHICLE LOST BRAKES; PULLED OVER & CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. UNDERHOOD NOTICED ENGINE HAD MELTED (ALUMINUM BLOCK). FIRE DEPT. SAID FUEL RELATED. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 18, 1997 · fire

Common questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 1990 Nissan Maxima have?

NHTSA has 41 complaints about the 1990 Nissan Maxima fuel system — 30% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1990 Nissan Maxima fuel system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the fuel system: 95V244000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.