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1990 Nissan Maxima Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1990 Nissan Maxima has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel filler pipe corrosion and fuel leak.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1990 Nissan Maxima.

Reported to NHTSA

Fuel filler pipe corrosion and fuel leak

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

12 NHTSA complaints · 1996-11 → 2013-02

“THE VEHICLE'S GAS FILLER TUBE CORRODED. A RECALL (95V244000) WAS ISSUED FOR THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AT NO COST”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10051962
“WHILE FUELING GASOLINE IT SPLASHED BACK FROM THE FILLER NECK ONTO THE GROUND. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FILLER NECK HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10081984
“I HAVE A GAS LEAK AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 95V244000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10127530

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel injector failure

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

15 NHTSA complaints · 1995-12 → 2005-04

“VEHICLE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE, CAUSING POOR ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #800522
“THE FUEL INJECTORS OF THE CAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED EIGHT TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #976047
“FAILED INJECTORS CAUSED VEHICLE TO IDLE REAL BADLY, CHEK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #540125

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power window regulator failure

VISIBILITY

15 NHTSA complaints · 1995-01 → 2000-10

“WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO DROP DOWN ABOUT 5 INCHES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #513874
“BOTH REAR POWER WINDOWS HAVE FAILED DUE TO DESIGN OF THE CONNECTION ON THE ALIGNMENT BAR BEING MADE OF PLASTIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #526941
“ALL WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #539963

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rust at seat belt mounts and rear wheel wells

SEAT BELTS

6 NHTSA complaints · 1998-04 → 2008-08

“WHILE CLEANING THE TRUNK, THE CONTACT REMOVED THE CARPET IN ORDER TO VACUUM. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS RUSTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10229766
“REAR LEFT PASSENGER RESTRAINT WEBBING HAS SEPARATED FROM TRACK DUE TO RUST”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8017106
“THE CONTACT EXAMINED HIS VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10239081

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Driver seat bolt and track failure

SEATS

5 NHTSA complaints · 1996-01 → 2002-12

“WHILE DRIVING THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE TRACK BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT BECOME UNSTABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #819755
“DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, DRIVER'S SEAT SNAPPED OF TRACK, SEAT IS LOOSE, MOVES BACK AND FORTH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #819792
“WHEN ENTERING VEHICLE DRIVER'S SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS SNAPPED, CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO CONSUMER WHEN DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10001402

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission reverse and park shift faults

POWER TRAIN

3 NHTSA complaints · 1997-07 → 2004-04

“TRANSMISSION STICKS IN REVERSE!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #731501
“DRIVER HAS TO PRESS SHIFT RELEASE CONTROL KNOB TO PUT CAR IN DRIVE ONCE IT HAD BEEN PUT IN PARK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #814339
“AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10067727

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Speedometer, odometer and dash display failure

POWER TRAIN

7 NHTSA complaints · 1995-08 → 2003-08

“HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE ODOMETER NOT WORKING NISSAN REPLACED IT BUT PROBLEM STILL EXSIST”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #970724
“SPEEDOMETER FAILED, NEEDLE WILL BE AT CERTAIN SPEED AND THEN WILL DROP TO ZERO/WILL NOT RETURN TO SPEED FOR SOME TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #483314
“THROUGHOUT THE YEARS THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTATION PANEL WOULD NOT LIGHT UP UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS WARM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #702285

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

High-mounted brake lamp socket and housing melting

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

8 NHTSA complaints · 1996-05 → 2002-12

“HEAT GENERATED BY HIGH MOUNTED BRAKE LAMP BULB MELTED THE AREA AROUND THE LIGHT BULB ALONG WITH THE RED LENS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #511943
“THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB IS SO HOT THAT IT MELTED THE PLASTIC COVER AND COULD CAUSE A PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #984118
“WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, 3RD BRAKE LIGHT USED EXTENSIVELY, HOUSING STARTED SMOKING, CAUSED BY PLASTIC HOUSING MELTING ON LIGHT BULBS, LOCAL SERVICE SATION DISENGAGED POWER, COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #801803

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD and 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

233 crashes 1990–2024

How the 233 occupant deaths break down

153

driver deaths

80

passenger deaths

233

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1990 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1990 Nissan Maxima reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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