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.
Fuel Injection System
1225.5%
Injectors
1123.4%
Gasoline
919.1%
Buckle Assembly
48.5%
Front Underhood
48.5%
Fuel Rail
36.4%
Hood
24.3%
Webbing
24.3%
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.
Jan 1995peak 6Jan 2009
NHTSA investigations into the 1988 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.
EA94018Opened 23 Jun 1994Closed 8 Nov 1995FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE
AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.SERVICE CAMPAIGN 95I-006.
PE94018Opened 22 Feb 1994Closed 23 Jun 1994ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Recalls on the 1988 Nissan Maxima
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
95I006000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WHICH COULD LEAK.
Risk: FUEL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Fort Worth, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND THEN WENT INSIDE OF STORE. THEN, SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER GLOVE COMPARTMENT. TRIED TO OPEN HOOD, AND FIRE WAS COMING FROM HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #877677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Great Vine, TXFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTION WAS LEAKING WHICH CAUSED AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #853938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAG Harbor, NYFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
RECALL 95I-006 000 NISSAN/FUEL INGECTION SYSTEM: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN UNDER HOOD FIRE WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. CONSUMER BELIEVED NHTSA RECALL MAYBE WAS THE CAUSE OF FIRE. ASKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. DEALER/MFR WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #851391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE JUST STARTED TO BURNUP, RESULTING IN A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #839774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MDFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FAILED FUEL INJECTOR SYSTEM WHICH LEAKED INTO ENGINE, PRIOR REPAIRS WERE DONE TO LEAKING FUEL INJECTORS.
NHTSA complaint #542319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL INJECTOR FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE FIRE, RESULTING IN TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #532778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Whittier, CA
TIRES
TIRE IN FRONT BLEW OUT ON SIDE WALL BIGO TIRES SAID GOOD LUCK GETTING FALKEN TO HONOR THE TIRE WARRANTY AND A DAY LATER MY REAR TIRE HAS NOW A BUBBLE ON THE SIDE WALL THAT WILL BE RESULTING IN THE SAME BLOW OUT SOONER OR LATER ACCORDING TO BIG O TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #10254813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlantic Beach, NC
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE'S STABLIZER WHEEL BROKE INTO CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #10003731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corning, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THERE IS A FUEL LEAKAGE IN VEHICLE DUE TO FUEL INJECTION. VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. 95I006000. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8008852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
GAS FUMES SMELL FROM ENGINE, SOUNDS OF AIR BLOWING FROM ENGINE, TRY TO ACCELLERATE AND THERE IS HESITATION DURING TAKE OFF. GAS FUMES COMING THRU FLOOR VENTS WHEN HEAT IS ON.R.
NHTSA complaint #756142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Brittain, CT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
THERE WAS A VERY BAD GAS SMELL IN CAR, TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC AND THEY SAID GAS WAS POURING OUT OF INJECTORS. CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALER CORRECTED INJECTOR RECALL, AND THAT RECALL CAUSED A PROBLEM WITH MASS AIR FLOW AND IDLE AIR CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #884714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Brittain, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THERE WAS A VERY BAD GAS SMELL IN CAR, TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC AND THEY SAID GAS WAS POURING OUT OF INJECTORS. CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALER CORRECTED INJECTOR RECALL, AND THAT RECALL CAUSED A PROBLEM WITH MASS AIR FLOW AND IDLE AIR CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #884714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THERE WAS A VERY BAD GAS SMELL IN CAR, TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC AND THEY SAID GAS WAS POURING OUT OF INJECTORS. CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALER CORRECTED INJECTOR RECALL, AND THAT RECALL CAUSED A PROBLEM WITH MASS AIR FLOW AND IDLE AIR CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #884714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ALL 6 FUEL INJECTORS FAILED CAUSING GAS LEAKAGE AND GAS FUMES. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conshohocken, PA
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
CLOSED SUN ROOF BLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #738340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND THEN WENT INSIDE OF STORE. THEN, SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER GLOVE COMPARTMENT. TRIED TO OPEN HOOD, AND FIRE WAS COMING FROM HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #877677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawton, OK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHT ASSY FORMS CONDENSATION, CAUSING SEVERAL LIGHT BULBS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #711263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Great Vine, TXFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTION WAS LEAKING WHICH CAUSED AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #853938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kailua, HI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
SHOULDER BELT LOCKS AT VARYING SPEEDS. YH
NHTSA complaint #549340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kailua, HI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
SHOULDER BELT LOCKS AT VARYING SPEEDS. YH
NHTSA complaint #549340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kailua, HI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
SHOULDER BELT LOCKS AT VARYING SPEEDS. YH
NHTSA complaint #549340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAG Harbor, NYFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
RECALL 95I-006 000 NISSAN/FUEL INGECTION SYSTEM: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN UNDER HOOD FIRE WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. CONSUMER BELIEVED NHTSA RECALL MAYBE WAS THE CAUSE OF FIRE. ASKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. DEALER/MFR WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #851391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield Gardensqueens, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
I HAD THE FUEL INJECTOR SYSTEM REPLACE BY NISSAN (SERVICE CAMPAIGN NOTICE NOV.05,1997).BUT I'M STILL SMELLING GAS SOMETIMES.
NHTSA complaint #712840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OHFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE JUST STARTED TO BURNUP, RESULTING IN A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #839774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MDFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FAILED FUEL INJECTOR SYSTEM WHICH LEAKED INTO ENGINE, PRIOR REPAIRS WERE DONE TO LEAKING FUEL INJECTORS.
NHTSA complaint #542319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.