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1999 Nissan Maxima Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1999 Nissan Maxima has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Key not recognized by immobilizer, no-start.” 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 1999 Nissan Maxima.

Reported to NHTSA

Key not recognized by immobilizer, no-start

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

9 NHTSA complaints · 2000-05 → 2006-08

“COULD GET INSIDE OF VEHICLE WITH KEY, BUT COULD NOT START VEHICLE THROUGH IGNITION SWITCH. ELECTRONIC DEVISE WOULD NOT READ KEY, AND COMPUTER HAD LOST THE COMBINATION. *AK DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE KEY. *SLC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10164708
“CAR CRANKS BUT WILL NOT START/CATCH. SECURITY INDICATOR LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED INDICATING VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. APPPARENTLY THE IGNITION KEY HAS DEPROGRAMMED AND NEEDS TO BE REPROGRAMMED.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10036980
“IGNITION SYSTEM IMMOBILIZED WHEN USING PROPER CODED NISSAN KEYS. KEYS RECODED, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS LATER. NISSAN/FACTORY REP KNOWS MAX SE HAVE APROBLEM, BUT DON'T KNOW WHY. I HAVE A CAR THAT I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WON'T START AND MUST BE TOWED IN!! *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #722335

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Radiator support rust

STRUCTURE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2011-07 → 2013-08

“EXCESSIVE RUSTING TO THE RADIATOR SUPPORT COMPONENT. WHILE REGULAR OIL CHANGE TIME, A MECHANICS NOTICED THE EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF A BODY PART THAT SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR. THIS IS VITAL PART THAT SUPPORTS THE RADIATOR. IT COULD BE DANGEROUS IF RADIATOR DROPS WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10536718
“GARAGE-KEPT SINCE NEW 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS DEVELOPED SEVERE RUST/BODY ROT IN THE "RADIATOR SUPPORT MEMBER" WHICH ALSO ATTACHES FRONT ENGINE MOUNT POINTS. THIS DAMAGE WAS CAUGHT DURING AN OIL CHANGE WHEN THE PROTECTIVE PLASTIC SHIELD WAS REMOVED - WHICH EXPOSED THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10470048
“I AM A NISSAN TECHNICIAN, AND I HAVE BECOME CONCERNED WITH THE AMOUNT OF FOURTH GENERATION (1995-1999) MAXIMAS I HAVE SEEN WITH SUBSTANTIAL RADIATOR SUPPORT RUST. THIS OF COURSE CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THE CROSSMEMBER, WHICH ATTACHES TO THE SUPPORT TO FORM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10413208

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Foul odor inside the cabin

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

8 NHTSA complaints · 1999-10 → 2000-05

“POSSIBLE EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSED OFFENSIVE ODOR (HYDROGEN SULFIDE ODOR) TO COME INSIDE VEHICLE AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING NAUSEA, DIZZINESS, HEADACHES AND CONSUMERS EYES, NOSE AND THROAT ARE IRRITATED. YH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #552169
“FOUL ODOR THROUGHOUT CAR WHEN STANDING OR MOVING(ROTTEN EGG SMELL)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #712946

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition coil failure with engine misfire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

75 NHTSA complaints · 2002-01 → 2015-06

“THE IGNITION COILS ARE DEFECTIVE. THE COILS WILL, AFTER A BRIEF TIME, BEGIN TO MISFIRE AGAIN EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED. MANY PEOPLE HAVE BLOGGED WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10324433
“1999 MAXIMA 72000 MILES. ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. PAID FOR A $65 DIAGNOSTIC AND MECHANIC RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE COILS. HAD TO REPLACE ALL SIX IGNITION COILS. $1000 FOR SEALER REPAIR. I DID THE REPAIR MYSELF FOR $390 IN PARTS AND 3 HOURS OF TIME. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10148932
“VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY STARTED TO RUN ROUGH, MISFIRED REPEATEDLY, AND EXPERIENCED EPISODES OF NEAR STALLING, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO OPERATE UNDER A SEVERE LOSS OF POWER BEFORE BEING ABLE TO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10079037

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light illuminated or flashing

AIR BAGS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2003-07 → 2007-06

“DT: 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE SIDE AIR BAG MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS BLINKING . TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD AIR BAG. THE DEALER WOULD NOT GIVE ANY INFORMATION. THERE WAS NO RECALL. *AK *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10132426
“I OWN A 1999 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH FOR NO APPARENT REASON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TYNANS NISSAN IN FT. COLLINS, CO ON JULY 2, 2004 FOR DIAGNOSTICS. WAS INFORMED THAT A MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE, AUTHORIZED ORDERING NEW MODULE ($450). RETURNED ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10086179
“A WEEK AFTER THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECK. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RIGHT AIR BAG MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I GOT WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR A YEAR AGO DID NOT COVER THIS TYPE OF REPAIR. I WOULD HAVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10145274

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in frontal collision

AIR BAGS

6 NHTSA complaints · 1999-07 → 2016-08

“I WAS IN A FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT GOING APPROXIMATELY 15-30 MPH. THE PERSON I REAR ENDED WAS STATIONARY AND HIS AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS EXTENSIVE CAUSING THE HOOD TO FOLD INTO AN INVERTED "V" SMASHING IN THE RADIATOR ETC. I”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10158188
“WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH AN ACCIDENT OCURRED AND THERE WAS A CRASH. DURING THIS OCCURRENCE, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG, AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO, SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD CONSUMER, CAUSING HIS CHEST TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #845244
“CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER BEEN INVOLVED ON A FRONT COLLISION. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. TS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8021318

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)

162 crashes 1990–2024

How the 162 occupant deaths break down

114

driver deaths

48

passenger deaths

162

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1998 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.

12

complaints mentioning a crash

5

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 1999 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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