1991 Nissan Maxima Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 11%of 76 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 161,843miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the electrical system of the 1991 Nissan Maxima, 11% of the 76 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 161,843 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“We have a 1991 Nissan Maxima. On tuesday, dec. 13, 2004 it burned up under the hood and melted everything to a crisp. The fire department said they were not sure if it was the fuel injector that caused it to ignite. We were on our way to school, and it smelled like gas fumes, then it quelled down, about 10 minutes later it started to smoke. We opened the trunk first to get a rag and then the hood turned black, and in 1 minute. It started to blaze. None of the body of the car was damaged except the hood, and everything under it melted to a crisp. Could this be a defect please give me a guess. …”
NHTSA complaint #10103054, filed 2004-12, 161,843 miles“Emission vapor canister has several leaks, caused by battery acid drip, causing very strong raw gasoline smell engulfing vehicle, especially during hot weather in so. Ariz. Very noticeable when stopped. Fumes enter passenger compartment if A/C vent open, becomes nausiating. Battery drip has no specific drainage area, spilling on canister and other areas causing mess.”
NHTSA complaint #732284, filed 2000-09“Complete electrical system failue, without warning. Vehicle lossed all power in the middle of operation, fuses blew and components such as cruise control, power window motors were destroyed. Cause of problem unkown, estimate to repair far exceeded value of vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #740086, filed 2001-01“I have noticed on countless Nissan maximas (early 90 models) that two or fewer brake lights out of four actually light when brakes are pressed which is obviously caused by an electrical problem because the other rear lights dim out.”
NHTSA complaint #754955, filed 2001-11“This an intermittent problem. The engine will start to shudder and lose power as if it is starving for air or gas. Continue driving will make the problem worse until the vehicle stalls completely. Further attempts on restarting will result in the engine shuddering, running for a minute or so and then shutting down. If the vehicle is left for a while (a few hours)., it will start up perfectly and run for a while (from a few miles to hundreds of miles) until the problem occurs again. The vehicle has been to the dealer over 9 times (costing >$2000), and numerous replacement of parts to no avail.”
NHTSA complaint #700816, filed 1998-11Related service bulletins
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10030165Apr 6, 2009Nissan: the 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay connected when the engine is running. To prevent damage to vehicle…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 9% |
| 2019 | 2 | 11% |
| 2018 | 5 | 14% |
| 2017 | 11 | 10% |
| 2016 | 31 | 22% |
| 2014 | 8 | 8% |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% |
| 2012 | 20 | 19% |
| 2011 | 12 | 11% |
| 2010 | 79 | 29% |
| 2009 | 79 | 23% |
| 2008 | 6 | 8% |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% |
| 2006 | 26 | 5% |
| 2005 | 38 | 4% |
| 2004 | 56 | 4% |
| 2003 | 17 | 8% |
| 2002 | 22 | 11% |
| 2001 | 27 | 16% |
| 2000 | 171 | 48% |
| 1999 | 83 | 50% |
| 1998 | 24 | 21% |
| 1997 | 39 | 38% |
| 1996 | 8 | 8% |
| 1995 | 19 | 13% |
| 1994 | 4 | 4% |
| 1993 | 11 | 14% |
| 1992 | 6 | 5% |
| 1991 | 8 | 11% |
| 1990 | 6 | 6% |
| 1989 | 8 | 13% |
| 1988 | 6 | 10% |
| 1987 | 22 | 13% |
| 1986 | 10 | 17% |
| 1985 | 7 | 13% |
| 1984 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1991 Nissan Maxima
14 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1991 Nissan Maxima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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