VehicleVerdict

1999 Nissan Maxima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 215 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Maxima year — the 1999 model ranks #11 of 42 Maxima years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 41% of all reports (89 of 215), far ahead of engine at 43.

215

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Maxima years?

Maxima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Maxima years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Nissan Maxima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System8941%
Engine4320%
Airbags188%
Other94%
Brakes94%
Transmission84%
Speed Control63%
Suspension63%
Tires & Wheels52%
Body & Structure42%
Fuel System42%
Seat Belts42%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)42%
Steering21%
Latches & Locks21%
Child Seat10%
Visibility & Wipers10%

Does the 1999 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.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

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 WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

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 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

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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. SMELLED LIKE ELECTRICAL PARTS WERE BURNING SO I OPENED HOOD TO NOTICE FIRE COMING FROM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 20, 2017 · fire

“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. AS I WAS GETTING ON THE FREEWAY LOST MOST POWER OUT OF THE CAR AND COULDN'T SPEED UP TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 17, 2006 · crash

“I WAS IN A FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT GOING APPROXIMATELY 15-30 MPH. THE PERSON I REAR ENDED WAS STATIONARY AND HIS AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS EXTENSIVE CAUSING THE HOOD TO FOLD INTO AN INVERTED "V" SMASHING IN THE RADIATOR ETC. I WAS VERY CONCERNED THAT MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 12, 2006 · crash

“I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND REGARDLESS OF WHAT I DO TO FIX IT, IT JUST COMES BACK ON. I HAVE HAD DIAGNOSTIC TESTS RAN ON IT AND IT HAS COME UP AS SOMETHING DIFFERENT EVERYTIME I FIX THE PROBLEM IT GIVES ME. SO FAR I HAVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 1, 2007

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 5/30/2006 - THE BRAKES MADE NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE TCS LIGHT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 26, 2006

1999 Nissan Maxima — common questions

Is the 1999 Nissan Maxima reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 215 complaints put the 1999 model at #11 of 42 Maxima years. It is one of the Maxima years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Maxima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (89 complaints), engine (43 complaints), airbags (18 complaints).

Does the 1999 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 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.