NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Injectors
1854.5%
Fuel Injection System
927.3%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
13.0%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
13.0%
Bumpers
13.0%
Drum
13.0%
Heater Core
13.0%
Gasoline
13.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1995peak 9Dec 2009
NHTSA investigations into the 1984 Nissan Maxima
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA89031Opened 28 Jul 1989Closed 31 Oct 1990SEATS
SEAT FAILURES
SUMMARY:APPROXIMATELY SIXTY PERCENT OF THE REPORTS ALLEGED A FAILURE ORMALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY, TWELVE OF WHICH INVOLVED ANACCIDENT.THE REMAINING FORTY PERCENT OF THE REPORTS ALLEGED A FAILUREOR MALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY, SIX OF WHICH INVOLVED ANACCIDENT.===
PE88092Opened 9 Aug 1988Closed 28 Jul 1989SEATS
SEAT FAILURES
===
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, CONSUMER STATES, IT BEGAN TO SMOKE ACCOMPANIED BY FLAMES. VEHICLE WAS BURNED COMPLETELY, ONLY TIRES AND TRUNK WERE LEFT. FIREMEN STATED THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE FUEL INJECTORS.
NHTSA complaint #810508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rubiboux, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, RESULTING IN A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #802990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saginaw, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #506689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlottsvil, VAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
JUST DRIVEN VEHICLE AND WENT TO START AGAIN AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR RUBBER HOSE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #966557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Orlando, FL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1984 NISSAN MAXIMA SHE STATED THAT THE POWER LOCKS FAILED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HER TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES SHE WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY REPAIRS AS OF YET. THE FAILURE HAS ONLY OCCURRED ON ONE OCCASION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID NOT RECEIVED A FORM FOR HIS COMPLAINT. UPDATED 05/11/10. UPDATED 06/11/10 *BF UPDATED 07/26/10
NHTSA complaint #10296159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chestnut Ridge, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
ODOR OF GASOLINE DEVELOPED, LEAKY FUEL INJECTORS, CAUSED BY FAULTY O-RING SEALS. 84 MODELS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #9005674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TWO OF THE SIX FUEL INJECTORS APPEAR WET AND SMELL OF GASOLINE. I BELIEVE THEY ARE LEAKING A SMALL AMOUNT OF GAS. THE CAR ACCELERATES POORLY. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95I006000 COVERED 686,649 NISSAN MAXIMAS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUL 1984 THROUGH JUL 1989. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND WAS TOLD THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN DID NOT COVER MY 1984 NISSAN MAXIMA. THEY COULD NOT ANSWER ME WHY MY FUEL INJECTORS WERE CONSIDERED SAFE BUT THE FUEL INJECTORS OF MAXIMAS BUILT IN THE FIVE YEARS AFTER MY CAR WAS BUILT WERE POSSIBLY UNSAFE. MY FUEL INJECTORS ARE LEAKING. I AM REQUESTING THAT A NISSAN DEALER REPLACE MY MAXIMA'S FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT FROM THE 686,649 NISSAN MAXIMAS THAT WERE AFFECTED BY THIS SAFETY CAMPAIGN. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.
NHTSA complaint #749200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FUEL INJECTORS ARE LEAKING, CAUSING FUEL TO GO ONTO THE ENGINE WHICH MAY CAUSE A FIRE. THERE IS AN IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN FOR 1985 MAXIMA'S, BUT NOT FOR THE 1984'S. DEALER SAID THAT THIS CAR DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE FIX. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
NHTSA complaint #835249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eldorado, AR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTERS, NO., 1, 2, E, 4, 5, 6 BUSTED AND POURED OUT GASOLINE DAILY. DEALER STATES UNSAFE VEHICLE. DEALER REPAIRED TWO IN ONE MONTH. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN, DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #827033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Augusta, ME
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING FUEL INJECTION LEAKED FUEL INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT, COULD CAUSE AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #812382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremont, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
EXPERIENCED FUEL INJECTOR LEAK OUTSIDE ENGINE BODY WHICH CAUSED FUEL ODOR INSIDE INTERIOR. MANUFACTURER. WON'T ASSIST UNDER SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN 95I-006-000 MODEL YR. 1985-1988, NOT FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #809868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, CONSUMER STATES, IT BEGAN TO SMOKE ACCOMPANIED BY FLAMES. VEHICLE WAS BURNED COMPLETELY, ONLY TIRES AND TRUNK WERE LEFT. FIREMEN STATED THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE FUEL INJECTORS.
NHTSA complaint #810508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.