1989 Nissan Maxima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 15%of 62 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1989 Nissan Maxima, 15% of the 62 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While turning the driver heard a loud clanking noise coming from the left front of the vehicle. While accelerating 35mph, the clanking noise escalated louder. The driver drove the vehicle to the dealer. The driver informed the mechanic that the power train axle needed to be replacement due to corrosion. Please fill in additional information.”
NHTSA complaint #10114963, filed 2005-03“Vehicle was parked on a slight incline with the ignition off with gear shift indicator indicating park. Emergency parking brake in use, the vehicle rolled over an enbankment into a park. Hitting merry go round before stopping. The manufacturer has been notified about problem.”
NHTSA complaint #829363, filed 1998-10“Consumer could move the shifter on its own out of park without applying force. Also, steering column failed to lock. Consumer will contact the dealer for an appointment.”
NHTSA complaint #10090402, filed 2004-09“The speedometer needle keeps showing 15mph eventhough the vehicle is a t stop. Also, the gas gauge sometimes shows empty eventhough the tank is full. Those problems happen very often. In addition, the transmission won't shift gear at different speeds. I have to shut off the engine and restart again, then the transmission becomes normal. It doesn't matter in hot or cold weather. According to the previous owner, he had the problem with the speedometer when the vehicle was on 30,000 miles. The vehicle was replaced the new factory speedometer by Nissan dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #705041, filed 1999-03Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 14% |
| 2019 | 3 | 17% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 11 | 10% |
| 2016 | 33 | 23% |
| 2014 | 22 | 23% |
| 2013 | 24 | 39% |
| 2012 | 18 | 17% |
| 2011 | 22 | 21% |
| 2010 | 15 | 5% |
| 2009 | 11 | 3% |
| 2008 | 8 | 10% |
| 2007 | 16 | 12% |
| 2006 | 393 | 68% |
| 2005 | 777 | 82% |
| 2004 | 934 | 66% |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% |
| 2001 | 8 | 5% |
| 2000 | 22 | 6% |
| 1999 | 8 | 5% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% |
| 1996 | 12 | 13% |
| 1995 | 12 | 8% |
| 1994 | 9 | 10% |
| 1993 | 6 | 8% |
| 1992 | 5 | 5% |
| 1991 | 9 | 12% |
| 1990 | 10 | 9% |
| 1989 | 9 | 15% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 5 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1989 Nissan Maxima
21 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Nissan Maxima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology