NISSAN MAXIMA · model year

1985 NISSAN MAXIMA

64 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1985NISSANMAXIMA carries 64 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 43 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1985 MAXIMA is fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:injectors with 15 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system (12) and electrical system:wiring:front underhood (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 1985 MAXIMA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

64
Complaints
2
Crashes
43
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

64 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS15
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1

Recent Complaints

20040422FireSTEERING

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.

Mileage: 90,000

20040422FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

Mileage: 90,000

20040422FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

Mileage: 90,000

20040323FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: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

20030825FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

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".

Mileage: 90,000

20030628FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

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

Mileage: 95,000

20010307FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION 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

20010307ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

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

20001219FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED, THE CONSUMER IS BEING DENIED RECALL 95I-006, DUE TO TIME PERIOD. *MJS

20001120FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

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

20000906FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: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.

20000323FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

FUEL INJECTORS FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.*AK

19990921FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

RECALL REPAIR (P5137) COMPLETED ON THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, HOWEVER AFTER REPAIR DAMAGES TO ENGINE RESULTING FROM DEFECTIVE SYSTEM. MJS

19990202FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO RECALL COMPONENT FAILURE OF THE FUEL INJECTORS, PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF RECALL REPAIR, WHICH CAUSED WIRING HARNESS TO BURN.

19981014FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

RECALL NOTICE NOT RECEIVED ON THE FUEL INJECTORS.

19981014POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

19981014TIRES

TIRE FAILED.

19980407FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

FUEL INJECTION WIRING SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.

19980331FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

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

19980317FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

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

Compare 1985NISSANMAXIMA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1985 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
The 1985 NISSAN MAXIMA has 64 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 43 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1985 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The most-complained component for the 1985 NISSAN MAXIMA is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS with 15 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD.
Is the 1985 NISSAN MAXIMA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.