1991 NISSAN MAXIMA Recalls, Complaints & Safety

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 370,000.

GOING ABOUT 45 MPH AND HIT 2 PARKED CARS. DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT DIDN'T CATCH. *TR

Crash 2 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1991 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP FOR CONCERNS WITH THE FUEL LINES. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THERE WAS RUST AND CORROSION OF THE TANK, WHICH WOULD NEED REPLACING ALONG WITH THE PIPE FILLER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 95V244000, (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: FILLER PIPE AND CAP). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRAPS CONNECTED TO THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED BECAUSE OF CORROSION AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE FILLER CAP ASSEMBLY WAS CORRODED AND THAT THE MUFFLER COULD NOT BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE FUEL LEAK CAUSED BY THE CORROSION FROM THE TANK ASSEMBLY. THE MECHANIC REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 95V244000 (FUEL SYSTEM), BUT THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE RECALL WAS EXPIRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. IN ADDITION, THE ODOMETER WAS INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

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 TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING AGAIN. THANK YOU . *TR

SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT LOCK, ANYMORE, ON THOSE VERY SUDDEN STOPS OR WITH SNEEZES, LIKE IT USED TO, AND THE RED SEATBELT LIGHT ON DASH STAYS ON. DEALER CONFIRMED THAT IT IS NOT WORKING. SAYS NISSAN ISN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR SEATBELTS TO WORK IN OLDER CARS. *TR

WE HAVE A 1991 NISSAN MAXIMA. ON TUESDAY, DEC. 13, 2004 IT BURNED UP UNDER THE HOOD AND MELTED EVERYTHING TO A CRISP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY WERE NOT SURE IF IT WAS THE FUEL INJECTOR THAT CAUSED IT TO IGNITE. WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO SCHOOL, AND IT SMELLED LIKE GAS FUMES, THEN IT QUELLED DOWN, ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER IT STARTED TO SMOKE. WE OPENED THE TRUNK FIRST TO GET A RAG AND THEN THE HOOD TURNED BLACK, AND IN 1 MINUTE. IT STARTED TO BLAZE. NONE OF THE BODY OF THE CAR WAS DAMAGED EXCEPT THE HOOD, AND EVERYTHING UNDER IT MELTED TO A CRISP. COULD THIS BE A DEFECT PLEASE GIVE ME A GUESS. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. *AK

Fire

POWER STEERING HOSE SPLIT...REPLACED PART...CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING VERY LOUD NOISE AND "BURNT" SMELL COMING FROM POWER STEERING PUMP...WHEN FLUID IN PUMP IS REPLACED, THE COLOR OF THE FLUID BECOMES BLACK IN NO TIME; ALSO EXPERIENCING STRONG GAS FUMES INSIDE CAR ESP. WHEN HEAT OR A/C IS TURNED ON; FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY...EITHER TOO TIGHT OR TOO LOOSE...SEAT BELT LIGHT & CHIME GOES ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME; DRIVER'S SEAT HAS BROKEN...HAD IT REPAIRED; DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOWS WILL NOT GO DOWN; SUNROOF LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS; HOOD LATCH DOES NOT ALLOW HOOD TO CLOSE PROPERLY, WHILE THE HYDROLICS UNDER THE HOOD WILL NOT KEEP THE HOOD UP WHEN OPENED...HOOD SLAMMED DOWN ONTO SERVICE TECH'S ARM AND ONTO ANOTHERS HEAD; SOMETIMES VIBRATES LOUD WHEN BRAKING; HIGH-PITCH CLITTER-CLATTER COMING FROM RT-FRT WHEEL; ODOMETER WILL NOT WORK AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX; BATTERY ACID DRIP DAMAGE ON STARTER; TRANSMISSION DIS-MOUNTED, HAD REPLACED, BUT CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING OIL LEAKAGE @ MAIN SEAL; CV JOINTS, BALL BEARINGS, AXLE, CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, ALL REPLACED AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES. OK...IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS...I AM HOPING FOR SOME RECALL INFO ON THE FUEL LEAKAGE AND SEATBELT ISSUES! I HAVE NO FUNDAGE LEFT FOR ANYMORE REPAIRS. MY 10 YEAR OLD SON IS A FREQUENT PASSENGER IN THIS VEHICLE...I AM SEEKING ANY INFO ON HOW TO MAKE THIS CAR MORE SAFE FOR US ON THE ROADS...UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR. (ALSO, CAR ALARM GOES OFF EVERY TIME DOORS ARE LOCKED; AND HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT BRIGHTEN, THEY STAY ON DIM...WHEN SWITCH IS CLICKED AT COLUMN, HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY GO OUT!). *AK

CRASH. WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOT IN DRIVEWAY. ENGINE WENT FULL THROTTLE 30 FEET ACROSS DRIVEWAY AND STRUCK A TREE. BOTH FEET ON BRAKES TRYING TO STOP CAR. DRIVERS SEAT BROKE. CAR IS NOT REPAIRABLE. EXACT SAME ACCIDENTS AS OCI CLAIM #'S 483257 AND 889677. *LA

Crash 1 injured

CRASH. WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOT IN DRIVEWAY. ENGINE WENT FULL THROTTLE 30 FEET ACROSS DRIVEWAY AND STRUCK A TREE. BOTH FEET ON BRAKES TRYING TO STOP CAR. DRIVERS SEAT BROKE. CAR IS NOT REPAIRABLE. EXACT SAME ACCIDENTS AS OCI CLAIM #'S 483257 AND 889677. *LA

Crash 1 injured

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE FISH TAILED. THIS RESULTED IN CONSUMER LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT WENT OVER A RAVINE, FLIPPED TWICE, HIT A TREE, AND A CONCRETE WALL BEFORE LANDING IN A CREEK. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE IS TOTALED. *AK

Crash

I HAVE A 1991 NISSAN MAXIMA. IT IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE FUEL INJECTORS AND I AM AFRAID IT MAY CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE HELP ME. *LA

CONSUMER STATES EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND STUDS FAILED. *TT

CONSUMER PUT HOOD UP AND HYDRAULIC HOOD STRUTS GAVE WAY, AND CONSUMER'S HEAD GOT STUCK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. ALSO, NOSE WAS SCRATCH UP AND SWOLLEN.*AK

1 injured

FUEL INJECTORS DEFECTIVE, REPLACE MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE MODEL. *AK

I HAVE NOTICED ON COUNTLESS NISSAN MAXIMAS (EARLY 90 MODELS) THAT TWO OR FEWER BRAKE LIGHTS OUT OF FOUR ACTUALLY LIGHT WHEN BRAKES ARE PRESSED WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BECAUSE THE OTHER REAR LIGHTS DIM OUT.*AK

UPON PLACING MY DAUGHTERS CARSEAT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY BACKSEAT THE SEATBELT FELL COMPLETELY APART. THEREFORE THAT MAKES ME THINK SOMETHING IS FAULTY WITH IT. IF IT CAME APART THAT EASILY FROM ME TRYING TO BUCKLE IN THE CARSEAT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SOMEONE HIT ME. MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE KILLED IF THIS HAD HAPPEN IN A COLLISION. I F MY CAR DID THIS HOW MANY OTHERS WILL IT HAPPEN TO AND WILL ANY CHILDREN HAVE TO DIE BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE. I ONLY WANT FOR MY FAMILY TO BE SAFE AND THEREFORE I TRY TO DO THE RIGHT THING BY PLACING MY DAUGHTER IN THE MIDDLE OF MY BACK SEAT.*AK

VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF OF BRAKE PEDAL AND LIGHTLY TOUCHED ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL TO LEFT, IMPACTED A PARKED VEHICLE, AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR. INSURANCE ADJUSTER DETERMINED THAT DRIVER WAS AT FAULT BY LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE. A DEALERSHIP NOR A MECHANIC HAV EXAMINED VEHICLE TO DETERMINE A CAUSE OF DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

Crash 1 injured

WHILE IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE, POSSIBLY ENGINE RELATED. NLM

Fire

COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILUE, WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE LOSSED ALL POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION, FUSES BLEW AND COMPONENTS SUCH AS CRUISE CONTROL, POWER WINDOW MOTORS WERE DESTROYED. CAUSE OF PROBLEM UNKOWN, ESTIMATE TO REPAIR FAR EXCEEDED VALUE OF VEHICLE.

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 SPECIFIC DRAINAGE AREA, SPILLING ON CANISTER AND OTHER AREAS CAUSING MESS.

WHILE DRIVING FRONT DRIVER'S SEATBACK COLLASPED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO FALL BACKWARDS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

WHENEVER DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD BE ROUGH. VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHAKE & MAKE NOISES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC #2, #3 & #5 FUEL INJECTORS HAD GONE BAD & NEEDED REPLACING. *AK

WHILE AIR VENT WAS TURNED ON NOTICED FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS NOTICED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

TAIL LIGHT HOLDER THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HOLD THE LIGHT BROKE, AND TAIL LIGHTS MELTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FUTHER INFORMATION. *AK

PLASTIC HOLDER THAT HOLDS FOUR BULBS MELTED, ALSO, TWO OF THE WIRES MELTED. *AK

NO SUMMARY

MY SUN ROOF SEAL LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS

MY FUEL TANK FAILED TWICE WITHOUT MONTHS. THE DEALER NEVER INDICATED ANY RECALLS ON ANY NISSAN MAXIMAS, INCLUDING RECALLS FROM OTHER PLANTS. I ALSO SMELLED GAS AND DISCOVERED A GAS LEAK. EVERY MONTH I PAY OVER 1K IN REPAIRS. THIS BEGAN FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE PURCHASE. I WAS INFORMED BY KELLY KEAN THAT THIS WAS MY PROBLEM AND THEY WOULD NOT EVEN OFFER TO FIX. THIS IS MY SECOND NISSAN AND I KNOW THAT THEY ARE RELIABLE, BUT THIS NISSAN MAXIMA WAS A LEMON ESPECIALLY WITH FUEL TANK PROBLEMS. *AK

HAD IT FIXED ONCE BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AT NOBLITT AUTO IN DOTHAN AND HE SAID ALMOST EVERY NISSAN V-6 HAS THAT PROBLEM WITH THE BOLTS BREAKING THAT GO INTO THE MANIFOLD CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE PRESSURE. *AK

NO SUMMARY

Crash

VEHICLE ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF ENGINE IS HOT OR COLD. AT A FULL STOP VEHICLE ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO DIE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR TWO YEARS. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH NOT FAR FROM HOME, THE BACK REST PORTION OF THE SEAT COLLAPSED INTO THE BACK SEAT AREA. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR ALTHOUGH I ALMOST WENT OFF THE ROAD DUE TO THE SUDDENESS AND SURPRISE OF IT HAPPENING. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR BACK HOME (WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY) AND INVESTIGATING THE SEATBACK SUPPORT STRUCTURE, I FOUND THE METAL FRAME WAS SHEARED IN TWO AT THE LOWER LEFT PORTION OF THE SEATBACK. THE NEXT DAY I USED A BOARD TO PROP THE SEAT UP TEMPORARILY, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN 1991. THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE SEAT BACK METAL FRAME HAD BROKEN IN TWO PIECES DUE TO "METAL FATIGUE" BUT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY DUE TO TIME AND MILEAGE. I NOTIFIED NISSAN ON THEIR TOLL-FREE NUMBER; THEY ENTERED IN ALL MY INFORMATION, AND ALSO CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS NOT A COVERED ITEM. THIS, IN MY OPINION, IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RELATED DEFECT WHICH HAS APPEARED ON AT LEAST 6 OTHER CARS FROM THIS YEAR'S MODEL, ACCORDING TO NHTSA RECORDS. (ODI ID 978630, 972906, 909103, 811801, 824075 AND 517783. I ALSO FOUND EXAMPLES ON TWO 1992 AND THREE 1990 MAXIMA MODELS. NISSAN HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR MANY MODEL YEARS, AND NO ONE KNOWS HOW MANY MAY HAVE OCCURRED THAT HAVE NOT BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA. SOME PEOPLE SUFFERED INJURIES DUE TO THIS SEAT FAILURE, AND THAT MAKES IT A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT SHOULD REQUIRE MORE INVESTIGATION SINCE THE MANUFACTURER THINKS THIS IS WITHIN "ACCEPTABLE LIMITS' CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF THESE CARS SOLD. IT MAY BE ACCEPTABLE TO THEM, BUT NOT WHEN IT'S MY OR MY FAMILY'S LIFE IN JEOPARDY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANYTHING FURTHER CAN BE DONE. I'M HAVING THE SEAT REBUILT BY THE DEALER AT MY OWN EXPENSE.

DRIVING ABOUT 40MPH WHEN REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL OUT WITHOUT WARNING. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT. PROBLEM REAPPEARED AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER & ALL WINDOWS REPLACED DUE TO THE FALL OUT OF THE OTHERS. SEEMS THE WINDOW REGULATOR CONTROL UNIT TRACT IN WINDOW BREAKS EACH TIME. *AK

POSSIBLE ODOMETER FRAUD.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. DEALER SAYS THE WIPERS NEED A NEW PIVOT AND ARM. *AK

DOOR LOCK FAILED.

SPEED SENSOR FAILED CAUSING ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER TO FAIL.

ELETRICAL WIRING IN FRONT DOOR

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. PRESENTLY, WHEN SHIFTING TOO DRIVE OR IN NEUTRAL THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE. AK