1988 Nissan Maxima
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Nissan Maxima is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1988 Nissan Maxima at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1988 Nissan Maxima recalls 1
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WHICH COULD LEAK.
Fix: NISSAN DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1988 Nissan Maxima common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 68 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1988 Nissan Maxima MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1988 Nissan Maxima costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Nissan Maxima. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE Closed
AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE. SERVICE CAMPAIGN 95I-006.
NHTSA #EA94018 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened Jun 1994 · closed Nov 1995ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
NHTSA #PE94018 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Feb 1994 · closed Jun 1994An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 2
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
NISSAN: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ON/FLASHING. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED ON 08-11-2011. *KB
Bulletin NTB-09-101 · Tires · Sep 2010NISSAN: 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 ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS/CAUTIONS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
Bulletin NTB-09-030 · Electrical System · Apr 2009Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the MAXIMA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
About the Nissan Maxima
The Nissan Maxima is a five-passenger, front-engine, full-size car that was manufactured and marketed by Nissan as Nissan's flagship sedan primarily in North America, the Middle East, South Korea, and China — across eight generations. The Maxima debuted for model year 1982 as the Datsun Maxima, replacing the Datsun 810.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.