The 1998 Nissan Maxima has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 161,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 133 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ONE OF THE DIODES USED IN THE ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHEN BUILT. THIS CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE DIODE AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD MELT THE PLASTIC HOUSING.
Consequence
IF THE COMBUSTIBLE GAS EMITTED BY THE MELTING PLASTIC DOES NOT DISPERSE DUE TO AIR FLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT COULD IGNITE AND IN TURN IGNITE THE FAN GUIDE IN THE ALTERNATOR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
11
3crashes3injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
11
8fires
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
8
4crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
7
TIRES
7
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
4
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
4
1crashes3injuries
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
4
Total complaints133
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 1998 nissan maxima. The contact stated while attempting to lift the vehicle onto a jack, the rocker panels started to cave in due to severe corrosion and rusting. The cause of the corrosion was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure.…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 nissan maxima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, smoke started to emit from the engine compartment. The vehicle was merged over to the side of the road where the contact noticed the presence of fire coming from the alternator. The contact was…”
“I just purchased a 1998 nissan maxima, went to change out the front bumper skin and fenders and as I took off the bumper skin the lower radiator support is rusted beyond belief and only one of the bolts on the cross member holding up the whole engine/trans and that one is rusted too. There is a…”
“I just purchased a 1998 nissan maxima, went to change out the front bumper skin and fenders and as I took off the bumper skin the lower radiator support is rusted beyond belief and only one of the bolts on the cross member holding up the whole engine/trans and that one is rusted too. There is a…”
“I wish to receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket cost of repair and installation of new parts for the vehicles alternator having caught on fire. On or about november 24, 2014, my request was submitted to nissan of north per nissan manufacturers recall instructions. The recall issued in 2001 was…”
“I would like to know why nothing has been done about nissan maxima's rusting and deteriorating radiator support (lower tie bar) that has been a problem from the mid 90's threw today's cars. There should be a recall on this issue and it should extend to all cars still being driven today. I have put…”
“I failed state inspection because my engine core support is rotted. I am not the only person here who has complained about this happening in this model car. *tr”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 nissan maxima. The contact stated that he attempted to activate the air conditioner but it would not start. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and they stated that the a/c control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Nissan Maxima as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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