NISSAN MAXIMA · model year

1992 NISSAN MAXIMA

140 NHTSA complaints, 23 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992NISSANMAXIMA carries 140 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 23 crashes, 3 fires, 22 injuries, 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 1992 MAXIMA is visibility:power window devices and controls with 11 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (10) and fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system (9). 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 1992 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.

140
Complaints
23
Crashes
3
Fires
22
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

140 filings

Crashes Reported

23 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS11
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL10
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE9
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP6
SEATS4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS3
SUSPENSION:FRONT3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION3
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION2

Recent Complaints

20130408FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL SPEWED FROM THE FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 95V244000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20101022FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ADDING GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK HE SMELLED FUEL AND NOTICED IT LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VENT HOLES IN THE FUEL TANK WERE CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188419. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 188700.

Mileage: 188,419

20080822FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A FUEL LEAK ON THE PIPE THAT CONNECTS TO THE GAS TANK DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THERE WAS ONLY ONE PERSON THERE WHO COULD PERFORM THE REPAIR. NISSAN HAS THE NECESSARY PART AND THE CONTACT CAN REPAIR IT HIMSELF, BUT THEY REFUSE TO SELL HIM THE PART. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR TWO MONTHS. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,480.

Mileage: 92,480

20080531CrashSEAT BELTS

MY DAUGHTER OVER-CORRECTED AND ROLLED THE CAR 4 TIMES, WHICH SHE WAS EJECTED ON THE FIRST ROLL, BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT FAILED TO HOLD HER IN. SHE HAS MARKS ON HER NECK SHOWING WHERE THE SEATBELT BURNED HER BEFORE FAILING TO HOLD HER INSIDE THE CAR. SHE HAS OVER 200 STITCHES IN HER BODY, LUCKILY NO BROKEN BONES OR INTERNAL INJURIES. IT APPEARS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR CAME OPEN ALSO, POSSIBLY THE EXIT POINT, SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE SHE WAS EJECTED FROM. *TR

Mileage: 139,000

20080531CrashLATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

MY DAUGHTER OVER-CORRECTED AND ROLLED THE CAR 4 TIMES, WHICH SHE WAS EJECTED ON THE FIRST ROLL, BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT FAILED TO HOLD HER IN. SHE HAS MARKS ON HER NECK SHOWING WHERE THE SEATBELT BURNED HER BEFORE FAILING TO HOLD HER INSIDE THE CAR. SHE HAS OVER 200 STITCHES IN HER BODY, LUCKILY NO BROKEN BONES OR INTERNAL INJURIES. IT APPEARS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR CAME OPEN ALSO, POSSIBLY THE EXIT POINT, SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE SHE WAS EJECTED FROM. *TR

Mileage: 139,000

20080501FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

1992 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH CORROSION ON REAR WHEEL HOUSING AREA. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS CORROSION CAUSED THE FAILURE THE LEFT REAR SEATBELT RETRACTOR. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE RESULTED OF A RECALL THAT WAS PERFORMED. RECALL 95V244000. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, THERE HAD BEEN SOME INSTANCES WHEN IT APPEARED THAT THE REPAIRED AREAS HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY SEALED PERMITTING MUD AND SALT TO BE RETAINED AND THUS PRODUCING CORROSION. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED IN DEC 2002. THE CONSUMER STATED OVER FOUR YEARS FOLLOWING THE REPAIR, HE FOUND SIGNIFICANT CORROSION DAMAGED. THE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED. *JB

20080501ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

1992 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH CORROSION ON REAR WHEEL HOUSING AREA. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS CORROSION CAUSED THE FAILURE THE LEFT REAR SEATBELT RETRACTOR. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE RESULTED OF A RECALL THAT WAS PERFORMED. RECALL 95V244000. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, THERE HAD BEEN SOME INSTANCES WHEN IT APPEARED THAT THE REPAIRED AREAS HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY SEALED PERMITTING MUD AND SALT TO BE RETAINED AND THUS PRODUCING CORROSION. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED IN DEC 2002. THE CONSUMER STATED OVER FOUR YEARS FOLLOWING THE REPAIR, HE FOUND SIGNIFICANT CORROSION DAMAGED. THE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED. *JB

20080107ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE SHUTS OF INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING FOR BRIEF MOMENTS (5-10 SEC.) SOMETIMES IN ISOLATED SINGLE EVENTS, SOMETIMES IN CLUSTERS. ENGINE COMPLETELY LOSES POWER THEN RETURNS. DASHBOARD AND RADIO CONTINUE TO WORK AS IF IT IS NOT ELECTRICAL. FEELS LIKE A FUEL DELIVERY PROBLEM. IT'S VERY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY OR WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC! NO CODES SHOW ON COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS. REPLACED FUEL FILTER AND COMPUTER. WHILE SEARCHING THE NET I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. NO KNOWN FIXES. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

20070102ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL* - THE CONTACT SPENT OVER $3000.00 ON THE 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE HAD A VARIETY OF FAILURES FOR THE PAST YEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED ,BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED PROPERLY. ON 1/2/07 THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, AND THAT HE NEEDED TO GET A TOW TRUCK AND COME BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. THE REPAIR SHOP PUT A NEW ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE, AND IT FELT AS IF THE ENGINE HAS BEEN IN THE CAR OVER 10 YEARS NOW. *AK

Mileage: 800

20061227FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

I HAVE READ WHERE MANY NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH LEAKS IN THE FUEL FILLER TUBE DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION (BETWEEN '88 AND'94). I HAVE ALSO SEEN THAT NISSAN IS VERY SELECTIVE IN DECIDING WHICH CARS ARE COVERED BASED ON THE VIN. I ALSO SEE THAT MANY HAVE ASKED FOR HELP FROM A MR. LARRY LONG AT THE NHTSA AND THAT'S HE'S BEEN VERY HELPFUL. I AM FACING A SIMILAR SITUATION NOW. I KNOW THERE IS A LEAK IN MY FILLER TUBE, AND NISSAN SAYS MY 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA GXE DOES NOT HAVE ANY OUTSTANDING RECALLS. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED, AND THEY DID NOT TELL ME IF IT HAD BEEN FIXED OR NOT. IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET THIS MESSAGE TO MR. LARRY LONG OR WHOMEVER IS WORKING ON SITUATIONS LIKE THIS? A LEAK IN THE FUEL FILLER TUBE IS POTENTIALLY VERY SERIOUS -- AND EXPENSIVE TO FIX. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP AND CONSIDERATION. *JB

20060920ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAD BOUGHT A CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP IN SAN DIEGO AND IT WAS DEFECTIVE FROM DAY ONE. THE DEALERSHIP SELLS ALL CARS AS IS SO I TOOK IT BACK TO HIM THE NEXT DAY TO HAVE HIM REPAIR IT. WE WENT BACK AND FORTH FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR AND HE ALWAYS SAID HE NEVER FOUND A PROBLEM WITH IT BUT YET, HE SEEMED TO ALWAYS BE DOING SOME KIND OF REPAIR. FINALLY, THE ENGINE BLEW AND I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO HIM. HE HAD IT FOR ONE MONTH AND SAID HE CAN'T FIX IT. HE SAID HE WOULD SELL ME ANOTHER ONE AND TAKE $1000 OFF THE OTHER ONE IF I COME UP WITH $700 TO PUT DOWN ON ANOTHER. I DID, HE SAID THIS CAR HAD A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR'S RPM'S KEEP ON GOING UP TO ABOUT 5000-6000 UNTIL IT FINALLY KICKS INTO GEAR. NOW HE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS ONE TOO. WHAT CAN I DO? *NM

Mileage: 154,182

20041008FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO, I HAD TO FIX A PROBLEM WITH A LEAK IN MY "FILLER PIPE" (GAS). I HAD DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM WHILE FILLING MY GAS TANK AT A LOCAL STATION. I HAD PREVIOUSLY READ NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 95V244000 AND THEREFORE BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO NISSAN DEALER WITH THE PRINT OUT OF THE RECALL TO GET THE SITUATION FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR 2 DAYS AND STILL HAD NOT STARTED ANY WORK ON IT... APPARENTLY THEY CONTACTED NISSAN WHO CLAIMED THEIR WAS NO RECALL ON MY CAR. I CONTACTED NISSAN MYSELF BOTH VIA EMAIL AND PHONE AND GOT THE SAME ANSWER FROM THEM... THAT NO RECALL EXISTED. SO I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY REGULAR REPAIR SHOP AND HAD THE ISSUE FIXED. I SEE THE RECALL IS STILL POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE. DO YOU THINK I SHOULD TRY AND CONTEST THIS REPAIR WITH NISSAN... OR COULD I EVEN CONTINUE TO INSIST THERE IS A RECALL IN EXISTENCE ON MY 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA? I ALSO WANTED TO POINT OUT ANOTHER PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIP & NISSAN HAD WITH MY CAR... THEY TELL ME THAT MY VIN IS INVALI

Mileage: 190,000

20041007CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT

I WAS THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IN A 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A TREE. I WAS WEARING MY LAP AND PASSIVE SHOULDER RESTRAINT. THE PASSIVE SHOULDER RESTRAINT CRUSHED MY LARYNX. *NM

20031030VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

BOTH BACK WINDOWS FELL / STUCK DOWN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED, AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO FIND THE PART. I WENT TO/ CALLED ALL JUNK YARDS/ AUTO SHOPS IN TOWN, NO ONE HAD THE PART. IT IS AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 130,000

20031030FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

WHEN IDLING/ DRIVING A STRONG GAS SMELL FILLS THE CAR. IT IS ALMOST UNBEARABLE. I HAVE A TODDLER AND THIS PROBLEM WORRIES ME GREATLY.*AK

Mileage: 150,000

20031010FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

FUEL FILLER & CORROSION REPAIR RECALL.*MR. PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (95V244000) THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CORROSION AS STATED IN THE RECALL AND THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY . THE CONSUMER IS NOW SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT &696.87. ALSO THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS CONTAINED RUST. *JB

20031010SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

FUEL FILLER & CORROSION REPAIR RECALL.*MR. PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (95V244000) THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CORROSION AS STATED IN THE RECALL AND THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY . THE CONSUMER IS NOW SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT &696.87. ALSO THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS CONTAINED RUST. *JB

20030805FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

MY 1992 MAXIMA IS LEAKING FUEL NEAR THE FILLER TUBE. THE DEALER SAYS THE FUEL FILLER TUBE IS CORRODED AND THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACEMENT. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE MAXIMA YEARS 89-94 HAVE A RECALL FOR THE CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE, BUT ONLY FOR CERTAIN STATES (NC IS NOT INCLUDED). NISSAN REFUSES TO PAY BECAUSE THEY SAY MY VIN IS NOT IN THEIR DATABASE FOR THE RECALL, BUT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I DO NOT SEE HOW THE REGISTERED STATE OF THE CAR AFFECTS THE RECALL STATUS. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN WITH WEATHER SIMILAR TO THE STATES LISTED ON THE RECALL.*AK

Mileage: 174,000

20030725FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE TRAVELING ON A SIDE STREET AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON THE FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. *AK THE FUEL SYSTEM LEAKED. THE VEHICLE TOTALED. (THE FIRE MOBILE PROP OUTSIDE) THE PROBLEM OCCURRED IN THE ENGINE GEAR AND THE WHEEL AREA. (SHORT CIRCUIT) *SCC *JB

Mileage: 46,115

20030702FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

WHEN GAS TANK IS A QUARTER OR LESS FULL, GAS FUMES ARE PUMPED INTO GARAGE UNTIL IT REEKS OF FUMES. IT SMELLS STRONG ENOUGH TO WARRENT CAUTION WITH IGNITION SOURCES AND IS SURELY AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD. *AK

Compare 1992NISSANMAXIMA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
The 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA has 140 NHTSA complaints, 23 crashes, 3 fires, 22 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The most-complained component for the 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA is VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
Is the 1992 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.