NISSAN MAXIMA · model year

1987 NISSAN MAXIMA

194 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1987NISSANMAXIMA carries 194 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 101 fires, 7 injuries, and 5 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 1987 MAXIMA is fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system with 41 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:injectors (36) and fuel system, gasoline (14). 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 1987 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.

194
Complaints
6
Crashes
101
Fires
7
Injuries
5
Deaths

Total Complaints

194 filings

Crashes Reported

6 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 SYSTEM41
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS36
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE12
SEAT BELTS8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY5
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY4
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING3

Recent Complaints

20121127FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1987 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO VEHICLE FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, ONE OF THE PASSENGERS STARTED TO SMELL BURNING WIRE. SOON AFTER HIS WIFE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO GET TO A SAFE SPOT AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE HE WAS INFORMED THE INJECTORS DID NOT WANT TO SHUT DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR AN INJECTOR PROBLEM AND THE RECALL HAD NEVER BEEN PERFORMED.

20121127FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

1987 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO VEHICLE FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, ONE OF THE PASSENGERS STARTED TO SMELL BURNING WIRE. SOON AFTER HIS WIFE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO GET TO A SAFE SPOT AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE HE WAS INFORMED THE INJECTORS DID NOT WANT TO SHUT DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR AN INJECTOR PROBLEM AND THE RECALL HAD NEVER BEEN PERFORMED.

20071107FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 13,000

20040630FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED AND THEN WAS PARKED DUE TO FUEL LEAKING. ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED FUEL LEAK DUE TO FAULTY FUEL LINE AND FUEL INJECTION.*AK

Mileage: 178,276

20031204SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

DRIVER;S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION; STOPPED HALF WAY. NOW IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. *NLM

Mileage: 150,000

20031103FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

RE: 1987 NISSAN MAXIM I OWN 3 OF THESE VEHICLES. IN 2 OF THEM, THE PRESSURIZED FUEL LINE COMING OUT OF THE GAS TANK HAS FAILED, ALLOWING STRONG FUEL VAPORS TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS LINE IS DIRECTLY UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT AND RAW FUEL ALSO IS ABLE TO FLOW UNDER THE SEAT. *LA

Mileage: 155,000

20021106FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS

FUEL INLECTORS LEAKING, THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS AN INJECTOR RECALL. (RECALL NOT LIFETIME WARRANTY)-DEALER MADE THE REPAIRS *SCC

20020503SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE IS INOPERABLE. DOESNOT MOVE WHEN OPENING DOOR. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

20010910VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

CONSUMER IS CALLING TO REPORT THAT ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

20010305FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

RECALL 95I00600, 15 MINUTES AFTER STARTING VEHICLE CONSUMER COULD SEE FLAMES COMING FROM ENGINE NEAR FUEL INJECTORS. CONSUMER WAS 2ND OWNER OF VEHICLE, AND MANUFACTURER SENT A LETTER SHOWING THAT IT WAS DONE. PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED, AND CONSUMER WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO MANUFACTURER TO AT LEAST SENT SOMEONE OR GIVE DEALER AUTHORIZATION TO INSPECT VEHICLE. *AK

20001023FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

WE HAD LIABILITY COVERAGE ONLY. NISSAN UNWILLING TO SETTLE FOR VALUE OF CAR.

20000919TIRES

DUNLOP QUALIFIER, ALL SEASON, STEEL RADIAL TIRES, P195/60R15, FAILED EARLY DUE TO BUBBLES FORMING IN THE TIRE WALLS. *SLC

20000719SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAS OIL ON IT. CONSUMER SAID THAT OIL WAS COMING FROM THE SEAT BELTS AND ARE RUINING HER CLOTHES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE MECHANIC HAS NO IDEA FROM WERE THE OIL WAS LEAKING. *AK

20000615FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

HAD COME UPON A STOP LIGHT, STARTED TO TAKE OFF & SMELLED FUEL. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED OVER & LIFTED HOOD. NOTICED FLAMES & PUT OUT FIRE. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC CHECKED VIN & NOTICED A RECALL AFFECTING THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, MANUFACTURER REFUSED RECALL REPAIRS DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE RECORDS. *AK *ML

20000427FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

I KEPT SMELLING GAS THEN I KNEW THE INJECTORS HAD BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE I HAD A STARTER REPLACED AND TOM PEACOCK NISSAN RAN A CHECK TO INSURE THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED IT WAS ALREADY DONE SO I WAS CONVINCED THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED, SO ABOUT A YEAR LATER I'M SMELLING GAS ME AND MY FATHER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM AN INJECTOR SO I CALLED TOM PEACOCK NISSAN.CONSIDERING THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM CONCERNING INJECTORS FAILING RESULTING IN FIRES THEY SAID IT HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED AND THEIR BEST ADVICE WAS TO PAY $915 FOR ALL NEW REPLACEMENT INJECTORS,SO MY REACTION WAS WHY WOULD I REPLACE ALL OF THEM IF ONLY ONE OF THEM IS LEAKING,SO I THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND SAID I WILL JUST BUY ONE CONSIDERING THE OTHERS ARE STILL FUNCTIONING SO I CALLED TOM PEACOCK NISSAN AND ORDERED ONE INJECTOR IT COST ME $115.00 SO I THAT'S FINE I'LL ORDER IT AND LET THEM PUT THE INJECTOR IN WHEN THE INJECTOR CAME IN I WAITED A WEEK FOR MY NEXT PAY CHECK TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR

20000331SEAT BELTS

AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CABLE POPPED OUT AND IT WOULD'NT MOVE. NOW IT ONLY WORKS MANUALLY. *JB

20000303UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

20000112SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

CONTINUALLY SQUEAKS AT ANY SPEED, EVEN WITH NEW BRAKES. *AK

19991229FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

RECEIVED NOTICE 95I006000. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. TOOK VEHICLE FOR FUEL INJECTION SYSTEMS RECALL REPAIRS. MECHANIC REPLACED OLD CLIPS WITH SAME TYPE OF FUEL INJECTOR CLIPS. VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO CLAMPS PIECED TOGETHER WRONGLY. RETURNED HOSE PIECED TOGETHER WITH METAL TUBE. *AK

19990723FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

I WAS GIVEN A RECALL NOTICE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE 6-10-99. I TOOK THE CAR TO DON DAVIS NISSAN TWO TIMES. BOTH TIMES THEY TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS IN STOCK TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. THEY TOLD ME TO RETURN LATER. I CALLED THEM TWO MORE TIMES AND BOTH TIMES THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE " TOO BUSY " AND THE SHOP WAS "TOO FULL" AT THE TIME I CALLED. ABOUT SIX MONTHS FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE RUBBER FUEL LINES ON THE FUEL INJECTOR HOSES CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THE INJECTORS, INJECTOR WIRES, AND OTHER WIRES ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DON DAVIS NISSAN. THEY CHARGED ME $60 FOR A DAMMAGE ESTIMATE WHICH THEY SENT TO NISSAN CORP. , ALONG WITH PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE. THREE MONTHS LATER, 3-24-99 NISSAN CORP. NOTIFIED DON DAVIS NISSAN THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE DAMAGE, BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MAINTAINANCE RECORDS OF OIL CHANGES AND TUNE-UPS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY FATHER'S HOUSE WHERE IT REMAINS. I HAVE CALLED NISSAN AND ARGUED WITH THEM. THE MOST RECENT TIME 7-

Compare 1987NISSANMAXIMA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1987 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
The 1987 NISSAN MAXIMA has 194 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 101 fires, 7 injuries, and 5 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1987 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The most-complained component for the 1987 NISSAN MAXIMA is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM with 41 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
Is the 1987 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.