1998 Nissan Maxima Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 7%of 113 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 149,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the body and structure of the 1998 Nissan Maxima, 7% of the 113 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 149,000 miles.
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.
“I just purchased a 1998 Nissan Maxima, went to change out the front bumper skin and fenders and as I took off the bumper skin the lower radiator support is rusted beyond belief and only one of the bolts on the cross member holding up the whole engine/trans and that one is rusted too. There is a big hole where the rust is and its affecting the performance and safety as well as handling of this car. I'm actually surprised the engine and transmission haven't fallen out the bottom of the car already. …”
NHTSA complaint #10598005, filed 2014-06, 183,025 miles“1998 Nissan Maxima with rusted and fractured front radiator/engine motor mount support strut. The engine is now unstable and increasing rattling from beneath the hood, especially on bumpy roads. The car does not appear safe to drive. This car was purchased relatively recently and this issue was not apparent on inspection at time of purchase.”
NHTSA complaint #10393540, filed 2011-03, 85,000 miles“I would like to know why nothing has been done about Nissan Maxima's rusting and deteriorating radiator support (lower tie bar) that has been a problem from the mid 90's threw today's cars. There should be a recall on this issue and it should extend to all cars still being driven today. I have put a lot of money into my 98 not knowing of this defect. The year of the car has nothing to do with this problem, since it is continuing on brand new cars with as little as 50,000 miles on them. As a tax paying, car buyer. I believe if they are not willing to fix these issues. …”
NHTSA complaint #10550169, filed 2013-10“The contact owns a 1998 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while attempting to lift the vehicle onto a jack, the rocker panels started to cave in due to severe corrosion and rusting. The cause of the corrosion was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11431932, filed 2021-09, 110,000 miles“Following conditions, as described in service bulletins database, exist in owned automobile; have reported to dealership; were dismissed as could not detect or no remedy available ; conditions are as reported in service bulletins ec98032a, ntb99030 and ntb99024; NHTSA item numbers, sb607329, sb605012 and sb604794.”
NHTSA complaint #734907, filed 2000-10Related service bulletins
- 10232658Feb 27, 2023REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10232656Feb 27, 2023WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 20% |
| 2020 | 4 | 18% |
| 2019 | 2 | 11% |
| 2018 | 2 | 6% |
| 2017 | 17 | 16% |
| 2016 | 8 | 6% |
| 2014 | 3 | 3% |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% |
| 2012 | 6 | 6% |
| 2011 | 9 | 8% |
| 2010 | 11 | 4% |
| 2009 | 8 | 2% |
| 2008 | 21 | 27% |
| 2007 | 33 | 26% |
| 2006 | 20 | 3% |
| 2005 | 25 | 3% |
| 2004 | 56 | 4% |
| 2003 | 6 | 3% |
| 2002 | 11 | 5% |
| 2001 | 9 | 5% |
| 2000 | 22 | 6% |
| 1999 | 4 | 2% |
| 1998 | 8 | 7% |
| 1997 | 7 | 7% |
| 1996 | 4 | 4% |
| 1995 | 15 | 10% |
| 1994 | 6 | 7% |
| 1993 | 4 | 5% |
| 1992 | 3 | 3% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
| 1990 | 3 | 3% |
| 1989 | 3 | 5% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 1 | 1% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1984 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1998 Nissan Maxima
24 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsTires
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Nissan Maxima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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