1990 Nissan Maxima: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Nissan Maxima: 1 recall, 106 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 3 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #95V244000 · 1995 · 747,000 vehicles
What's wrong: It is possible for a mixture of mud and salt to get trapped between the fuel filler tube and wheel housing. The trapped mud and salt can result in corrosion of the fuel filler tube and the wheel housing.
Why it matters: Significant corrosion of the fuel filler tube May result in fuel leaks which in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire. In addition, the left rear seat belt retractor is mounted to the wheel housing and in the event of significant corrosion, and the mounting could fail in a…
The fix: Dealers will inspect these vehicles and corrective action will be taken depending upon the extent of the corrosion.
3 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 7 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Fuel system (36): the most common themes are leaks (11), fire / smoke (4).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (20): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (10): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (3).
- Exterior lights (8): the most common themes are fire / smoke (3).
The 1990 Nissan Maxima has 106 owner complaints, ranking #17 of 34 Maxima model years for complaints (well below the 191 average). Complaints peaked in 1996 (22 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 130,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (76 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Nissan Maxima.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1990 Nissan Maxima, plus 3 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Nissan Maxima problems?
Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are fuel system (36), visibility (wipers, glass) (20), transmission & drivetrain (10).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Nissan Maxima get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Nissan Maxima repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.