VehicleVerdict

1991 Nissan Maxima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1991 Nissan Maxima sits mid-pack among Maxima years: 99 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 127, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across seat belts (14), fuel system (12), and transmission (11), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

99

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Maxima years?

Maxima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted1,725 complaints1982: 4 complaints1983: 8 complaints1984: 40 complaints1985: 64 complaints1986: 74 complaints1987: 194 complaints1988: 73 complaints1989: 78 complaints1990: 138 complaints1991: 99 complaints1992: 140 complaints1993: 102 complaints1994: 128 complaints1995: 195 complaints1996: 117 complaints1997: 123 complaints1998: 133 complaints1999: 215 complaints2000: 467 complaints2001: 225 complaints2002: 278 complaints2003: 249 complaints2004: 1,725 complaints2005: 1,152 complaints2006: 733 complaints2007: 169 complaints2008: 99 complaints2009: 460 complaints2010: 399 complaints2011: 138 complaints2012: 137 complaints2013: 71 complaints2014: 126 complaints2015: 2 complaints2016: 224 complaints2017: 154 complaints2018: 46 complaints2019: 28 complaints2020: 33 complaints2021: 4 complaints2022: 6 complaints2023: 2 complaints
Maxima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Maxima years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Nissan Maxima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts1414%
Fuel System1212%
Transmission1111%
Engine1010%
Brakes99%
Seats99%
Visibility & Wipers88%
Electrical System88%
Lighting33%
Speed Control33%
Other22%
Latches & Locks22%
Steering22%
Body & Structure22%
Suspension22%
Airbags11%
Driver Assistance11%

Does the 1991 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE OWNER WAS IN ACCIDENT AND THE SHOULDER BELT DID NOT HOLD,BUT THE LAP BELT WAS FINE. HAS SPOKEN TO NISSAN AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO LOOK AT THE CAR ON THE 15”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · crash

“DEALER PERFORMED RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 95V244000. A FEW YEARS LATER THE GAS FILLER TUBE IS STILL LEAKING GAS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WARRANTY PRIOR RECALL WORK. CAN THE DEALER REFUSE TO FIX IT A SECOND TIME ? SHOULDN'T THEY FIX IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 7, 2001

“CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 94 AND APRIL 95. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION/ TORQUE CONVERTER REPAIRE AT ESTIMATED VALUE OF 25,00.00. IN AUGUST 98, TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE DEFECTS, VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE VERY SLOWLY.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 27, 1998

“EMISSION VAPOR CANISTER HAS SEVERAL LEAKS, CAUSED BY BATTERY ACID DRIP, CAUSING VERY STRONG RAW GASOLINE SMELL ENGULFING VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY DURING HOT WEATHER IN SO. ARIZ. VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN STOPPED. FUMES ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IF A/C VENT OPEN, BECOMES NAUSIATING. BATTERY DRIP HAS NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 1, 2000

“BRAKE LINES LEADING TO REAR OF VEHICLE ARE PROTECTED BY A SHROUD WHICH ALSO PROTECTS THE LINES FROM GETTING CLEANED IN CAR WASHES, RESULTING IN SALT AND DIRT ACCUMULATING WITHIN THE BRAKE LINES, CAUSING PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 7, 1997

1991 Nissan Maxima — common questions

Is the 1991 Nissan Maxima reliable?

It is close to typical for the Maxima: 99 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1991 Maxima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (14 complaints), fuel system (12 complaints), transmission (11 complaints).

Does the 1991 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Nissan Maxima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Maxima years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Maxima years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2006, 2000, 2009, 2010, 2002, 2003, 2001, 2016, 1999, 1995, 1987. The cleanest record among Maxima years belongs to 2023.

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.