VehicleVerdict

1993 Nissan Maxima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1993 Nissan Maxima is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 102 owner complaints run below the Maxima median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (13), visibility & wipers (13), and engine (12), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

102

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Maxima years?

Maxima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 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, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Maxima years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Nissan Maxima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1313%
Visibility & Wipers1313%
Engine1212%
Brakes1212%
Electrical System1111%
Fuel System1010%
Transmission88%
Speed Control77%
Tires & Wheels55%
Body & Structure44%
Seat Belts33%
Other11%
Suspension11%
Steering11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 1993 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

6 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.

94V194000Tires & WheelsOctober 5, 1994 · 97,000 units

Defect

THE ALUMINUM WHEELS WERE CLEAR COATED SEVERAL TIMES TO PROTECT THE METAL FINISH. SOME EXCESSIVE COATING CAN LEAVE THE WHEEL NUTS AN EXCESSIVE DISTANCE FROM THE WHEEL HUB WHEN TIGHTENED, ALLOWING THEM TO LOOSEN OVER TIME.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE THE HUB BOLTS TO BREAK AND RESULT IN THE WHEEL SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CLEAR PLASTIC COATING FROM THE BRAKE ROTOR MATING SURFACE ON THE BACK OF EACH WHEEL AND FROM THE WHEEL NUT MATING SURFACES. THE WHEELS WILL BE REINSTALLED AND THE WHEEL NUTS TIGHTENED. WHEELS, HUB BOLTS, AND NUTS WILL BE REPLACED IF NECESSARY.

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.

“WHILE TRAVLEING 35 MPH CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION , AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · crash

“IN THE PAST FOUR WEEKS WE HAVE REPLACED THREE OUT OF THE FOUR POWER WINDOW REGULATORS ON OUR 1993 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE POWER WINDOWS, ESPECIALLY IN THE REAR, GET VERY LITTLE USE. IT HAS COST OVER $500 IN PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE THESE PARTS. INOPERABLE POWER WINDOW REGULATORS CAUSE A THREAT TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 1, 2001

“MY VEHICLE CONTAINS MOST OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS AND A COUPLE OF THE RECALLS. MY MAIN CONCERN/QUESTION IS WHY WON'T NISSAN COVER THE EXPENSES FOR THE REPAIR OF THE FRONT END NOISE (ONE OF THE TSB'S #NTB93189) WHICH WILL LEAD TO FURTHER DAMAGE OF THE VEHICLE??? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 30, 1998

“SERVICE BRAKES MAKE A PULSATING SOUD WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED AS IF THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAD VEHICLE SERVICED BY TWO DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALERSHIP WITH NO SATISFACTION. 1ST DEALERSHIP REPLACED FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS.2ND DEALERSHIP BLED HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. PROBLEM NOT CORRECTED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 20, 2004

“WHEN HIS WIFE PARKED VEHICLE SHE SAW SMOKE COMING OUT UNDER HOOD, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE COMPLETLY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO THE SCENE, BUTTHEY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. DEALER NOR MANUFACTRURER WERE CONTACTED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 25, 1998 · fire

1993 Nissan Maxima — common questions

Is the 1993 Nissan Maxima reliable?

It is close to typical for the Maxima: 102 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 1993 Maxima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (13 complaints), visibility & wipers (13 complaints), engine (12 complaints).

Does the 1993 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Nissan Maxima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1993 Nissan Maxima under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.