VehicleVerdict

1992 Nissan Maxima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1992 Nissan Maxima sits mid-pack among Maxima years: 140 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 127, with 5 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Complainants reported 22 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (28), engine (23), and visibility & wipers (17), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

140

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

23

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

22

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1992 compare to other Maxima years?

Maxima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 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, 1992 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Maxima years to avoid →

What are the most common 1992 Nissan Maxima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System2820%
Engine2316%
Visibility & Wipers1712%
Airbags129%
Seat Belts96%
Electrical System96%
Brakes64%
Seats64%
Suspension54%
Transmission54%
Body & Structure43%
Tires & Wheels43%
Other32%
Latches & Locks32%
Steering21%
Speed Control21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Lighting11%

Does the 1992 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

5 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.

94V007000AirbagsJanuary 12, 1994 · 65,000 units

Defect

IN SOME UNDERBODY IMPACTS THE AIRBAG SENSOR ACTIVATES AND SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE AIRBAG, LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG TO INFLATE.

Consequence

AIRBAG INFLATION MAY OCCUR WHEN IT IS NOT NEEDED TO PROTECT THE DRIVER AND MAY RESULT IN MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER FROM THE INFLATING AIRBAG.

Remedy

A TUNNEL SENSOR OF DIFFERENT DESIGN WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“IT WAS 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. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 28, 2003

“BRAKES PULL TO ONE SIDE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. ENGINE IS NOISY AND ROUGH. CRANKSHAFT WAS DESTROYED WHILE DRIVING ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE. HEAT FROM AC WOULD COOL DOWN AFTER 15 MINUTES. ROUGH IDLE. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIGOROUSLY AT HIGHWAY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 1, 1998 · crash

“BRAKES PULL TO ONE SIDE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. ENGINE IS NOISY AND ROUGH. CRANKSHAFT WAS DESTROYED WHILE DRIVING ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE. HEAT FROM AC WOULD COOL DOWN AFTER 15 MINUTES. ROUGH IDLE. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIGOROUSLY AT HIGHWAY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 1, 1998 · crash

“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN HE RAN OFF SHOULDER AND STRUCK A UTILITY POLE. DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, THERE WAS NO PASSENGER AIRBAG. CONSUMER SUFFERED BROKEN/BRUISED RIBS, AND HIS DAUGHTER SUFFERED WHIPLASH. *AK CONSUMER STATES 20 MONTH OLD SON WAS IN THE REAR SEAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 27, 2001 · crash

“MY DAUGHTER OVER-CORRECTED AND ROLLED THE CAR 4 TIMES, WHICH SHE WAS EJECTED ON THE FIRST ROLL, BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT FAILED TO HOLD HER IN. SHE HAS MARKS ON HER NECK SHOWING WHERE THE SEATBELT BURNED HER BEFORE FAILING TO HOLD HER INSIDE THE CAR. SHE HAS OVER 200 STITCHES IN HER BODY,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · May 24, 2008 · crash

1992 Nissan Maxima — common questions

Is the 1992 Nissan Maxima reliable?

It is close to typical for the Maxima: 140 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1992 Maxima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (28 complaints), engine (23 complaints), visibility & wipers (17 complaints).

Does the 1992 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Nissan Maxima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1992 Nissan Maxima under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.