Complaints over time
Complaints about the 1985 Nissan Maxima peaked in 1995, with 18 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
1985 Nissan Maxima
Sedan, gasoline, 4x2, built in Japan. Owner complaints on file from Jan 25, 1995 to Mar 23, 2004.
Recall campaigns covering this model year2720k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints5410.8 times the median 1985 sedan
Severity index72.2Crash, fire, injury or death per 100
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Components
61% of complaints about the 1985 Nissan Maxima name fuel system
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
2 recall campaigns cover the 1985 Nissan Maxima
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95I-006 | Nov 1, 1995 | This is not a safety recall campaign in accordance with federal regulation 573 | Fuel system | 686,649 | Part replacement |
| 86V-096 | Jul 16, 1986 | There may be insufficient thickness of adhesive in the contact area between the bottom of the front windshield glass and the body | Visibility and wipers | 33,000 | Not stated |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 1985 Nissan Maxima
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
54 complaints on file, page 1 of 3.
- Filed Mar 23, 2004Failure May 5, 1990SAN Bernardino,, CAFuel system, Fuel injection system
FONTANA DEALER WHICH IS NOW PURCHASED BY SAN BERNARDINO NISSAN ADVISED ME SOMETIME IN 1993 THAT FUEL INJECTORS ARE TO BE CHANGED UNDER RECALL. I GAVE MY CAR WITH TRUST TO PERFORM NECESSARY REPLACEMENTS OF INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES.THE JOB WAS NOT DONE. WHEN OTHER DEALER AS WELL AS PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS DETECTED THAT THE JOB WAS NOT DONE AND THE ORIGINAL PARTS ARE THERE. I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, PLANET NISSAN [NOW SAN BERNARDINO NISSAN] TO CHECK AND CONFIRM. HE DID NOT CHECK MY CAR INSTEAD VERIFIED HIS RECORDS ONLY AND DENIED.THE CAR HAS STILL UNCHANGED PARTS AND RECENTLY IT WAS AGAIN DETECTED BY PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC THAT THE JOB UNDER RECALL IS NOT DONE. I TRUSTED THE DEALER AND I AM NOT A MECHANIC TO VERIFY. YOU CAN SEE OR ADVISE DEALER TO VERIFY. MY CAR IS IN SACRAMENTO AND IS USED BY MY SON [TEL # 1-916-296-2163] AND YOU CAN REACH HIM TO TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER FOR YOUR CONFIRMATION/VERIFICATION.*AK
NHTSA complaint 10063720 - Filed Jan 15, 2004Failure May 15, 200390,000 milesST. Louis, MOEngine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, SteeringFire
ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF ADMITTED DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS(ON RECALL). NISSAN REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS AT NO CHARGE, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE OTHER DAMAGED ITEMS SUCH AS, POWER STEERING, "SEVERE" SEAL DAMAGE CAUSING LARGE OIL LEAK, AND OTHER DAMAGES. I HAVE CALLED AND WRITTEN NISSAN. ALSO, NO APOLOGIES FOR MY INCONVENIENCES.
NHTSA complaint 10069981 - Filed Aug 25, 2003Failure Jun 20, 200190,000 milesSaint Louis, MOFuel system, Fuel injection systemFire
FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS. ROYED INJECTORS AND OWER STEERING PUMP, NUMEROUS OIL SEALS, ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, ETC. IN ADDITION THERE WAS GENERAL SOOT ALL OVER THE ENGINE, WHICH WIIL NOT COME OFF.*AK FURTHERMORE, IT WAS A DANGEOUS SITUATION, AND HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPT.. NISSAN AGREED TO FIX/REPLACE FUEL INJECTORS "ONLY".
NHTSA complaint 10033449 - Filed Jun 28, 2003Failure Jul 7, 200195,000 milesST. Louis, MOFuel system, InjectorsFire
NISSAN MAXIMA FUEL INJECTORS LEAKED CAUSING LARGE FIRE IN ENGINE AREA. INJECTORS ARE ON RECALL BECAUSE OF DEFECT BUT I WAS NOT INFORMED. NISSAN REFUSES TO PAY FOR ALL DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE FIRE. NISSAN ADMITS INJECTORS ARE DEFECTIVE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint 10023942 - Filed Feb 26, 2001Failure Oct 1, 2000Seattle, WAExhaust system, Fuel system, Injectors
HAD FUEL INJECTORS SERVICE 10/2001, NOW VEHICLE DOES NOT PASS EMISSION TEST AND DEALER DENIES ANY CONNECTION. SAYS NEEDS $2100.00 PLUS REPAIR WORK. *AK
NHTSA complaint 741525 - Filed Nov 15, 2000Vallejo, CAGasolineFire
WAS NOTIFIED OF A RECALL DUE TO ENGINE FIRES BY A FRIEND WHO WORKED AT NISSAN. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE REPAIR TO BE DONE AND WAS PUT ON A WAITING LIST. WAS NEVER CONTACTED BACK. WHEN I TRY TO START MY CAR ONE DAY, THE ENGINE BLEW UP LIFTING THE FRONT END OF MY CAR OFF THE GROUND AND MY CARS FRONT END (ENGINE) WAS ON FIRE. I SENT ALL THE INFORMATION TO NISSAN AND THEY GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THEY WANTED RECEIPTS FOR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UPS, WHICH I DID NOT HAVE. IT WAS BECOMING TO MUCH OF A HASSLE AND I STOPPED PURSUING IT. PREVIOUSLY I SENT THEM ALL THE INFORMATION REGARDING MY CAR AND ALL REPORTS REGARDING THE INCIDENT. I EVEN HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALER TO EXAMINE THE CAR AS THEY HAD INSTRUCTED. I STILL WAS NEVER REIMBURSED FOR MY CAR. *AK
NHTSA complaint 736352 - Filed Aug 30, 2000Failure Apr 25, 1995Louisville, COFuel system, Fuel injection system
I HAVE SINCE HAD MY LEAK REPAIRED AFTER LEARNING OF THE RECALL ON THE INTERNET (CAR POINT). I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY NISSAN OF THE RECALL IN 1995. I PAID TO FIX THE PROBLEM OF THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN APRIL OF 1995 BUT CAR STILL SMELLED LIKE GAS INTERMITTENTLY AND I WAS NEVER TOLD BY ANYONE THAT MY CAR COULD CATCH ON FIRE! THANKFULLY, THE PROBLEM IS FIXED WITH A NEW INJECTOR AND HOSE HARNESS SYSTEM, AND MY FAMILY AND MY HOME ARE NO LONGER IN DANGER OF FIRE BUT BUT I FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD PAY FOR PREVIOUS REPAIRS THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint 729614 - Filed Dec 20, 1999Raleigh, NCFuel system, Fuel injection system
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED, THE CONSUMER IS BEING DENIED RECALL 95I-006, DUE TO TIME PERIOD. *MJS
NHTSA complaint 783590 - Filed Dec 8, 1998Pearl Rive, NYFuel system, InjectorsFire
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO RECALL COMPONENT FAILURE OF THE FUEL INJECTORS, PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF RECALL REPAIR, WHICH CAUSED WIRING HARNESS TO BURN.
NHTSA complaint 542926 - Filed Apr 21, 1998Failure Jan 16, 1998Lady Lake, FLFuel system, Fuel injection systemFire
FUEL INJECTORS FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.*AK
NHTSA complaint 534433 - Filed Mar 31, 1998Failure Feb 26, 1998Battenrough, LAFront underhoodFire
STARTED VEHICLE AT NOON. AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 2 HOURS, SAW SMOKE THEN FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD AREA OF VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT FIRE OUT. *AK
NHTSA complaint 821829 - Filed Mar 17, 1998Failure Jan 8, 1998Orlando, FLFuel system, Fuel injection systemFire
HAD RECEIVED NOTICE (395I006000) & CALLED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. TOOK NOTIFICATION & TORE IT UP. DROVE TO A STORE & VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
NHTSA complaint 821045 - Filed Apr 9, 1997Failure Apr 3, 1997Millington, TNManifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
MR. SWINSON HAS LOOKED AT (15) NISSAN MAXIMA'S BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 1985 THROUGH 1988 AND FOUND THAT THEY ALL HAD BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ON EITHER THE LEFT SIDE OR FRONT SIDE . *AK
NHTSA complaint 810825 - Filed Mar 13, 1997Failure Feb 18, 1997Northridge, CAFuel system, InjectorsFire
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA complaint 515273 - Filed Feb 24, 1997Failure Feb 18, 1997Northridge, CAGasolineFire
ENGINE FIRE CAUSE BY POSSIBLE FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR.
NHTSA complaint 546848 - Filed Feb 3, 1997Guayama, PRFuel system, Fuel injection system
RECEIVED RECALL LETTER #95I00600, HAS BEEN WAITING FOR PARTS, CAR IS STARTING TO SMELL GAS . *AK
NHTSA complaint 808554 - Filed Jan 24, 1997Union City, CAFuel system, Injectors, Automatic transmission, Tires
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint 514072 - Filed Jan 15, 1997Newmont, NJFuel system, InjectorsFire
RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED ON FUEL INJECTORS, ONE YEAR PRIOR TO RECALL CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
NHTSA complaint 807703 - Filed Jan 9, 1997Failure Jul 8, 1996Seaford, DEFuel system, Fuel injection system
RECALL REPAIR (P5137) COMPLETED ON THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, HOWEVER AFTER REPAIR DAMAGES TO ENGINE RESULTING FROM DEFECTIVE SYSTEM. MJS
NHTSA complaint 527935 - Filed Dec 27, 1996Failure Dec 5, 1996Ingle Wood, CAIgnitionFire
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OWNER SMELLED GAS, WHEN OWNER PULLED OVER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE ENTIRE ENGINE AREA WAS BURNED. *AK
NHTSA complaint 806825
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
2 NHTSA investigations on file
- EA94018 Engineering analysis, Fuel system
FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE
Opened Jun 23, 1994, closed Nov 8, 1995 · led to a recall - PE88025 Preliminary evaluation, Steering
STEERING MALFUNCTION
Opened Feb 9, 1988, closed May 11, 1988
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
3 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- NTB-09-129 Sep 13, 2010 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
NISSAN: VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT. WHEN REPLACING THE EVAP CANISTER VENT CONTROL VALVE FOR REASON: USE THE ONE LISTED ON PAGE 2; FOR VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE SECTION OF THE ELECTRONIC SERVICE MANUALS (ESM; WH… - NTB-09-101 Sep 30, 2010 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
NISSAN: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ON/FLASHING. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED ON 08-11-2011. *KB - NTB-09-030 Apr 6, 2009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
NISSAN: THE 12 VOLT BATTERY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IS REQUIRED TO STAY CONNECTED WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO VEHICLE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS/CAUTIONS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. …
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.