1998 Nissan Maxima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 5%of 113 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,228miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Nissan Maxima, 5% of the 113 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,228 miles. 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.
“After putting the car in reverse the transmission fluid drained from the back end and the the car accelerated forward I hit a building. There is over $8000.00 damages to the car and the dealer refuses to total the vehicle and replace the vehicle for me. This vehicle is a leased vehicle and because the car accelerated on its own and am afraid to drive it again. Also the airbag did not deploy and the car was going 35 miles per hour with it hit the building. I am trying to just get the dealer to take the car back and replace it with another but they are not cooperating. …”
NHTSA complaint #737832, filed 2000-12“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 2000-10Transmission 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 1998 Nissan Maxima
24 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsTires
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 30, 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