1990 Nissan Maxima
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1990 Nissan Maxima is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 20 on record.
1990 Nissan Maxima at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1990 Nissan Maxima recalls 4
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A MIXTURE OF MUD AND SALT TO GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND WHEEL HOUSING. THE TRAPPED MUD AND SALT CAN RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND THE WHEEL HOUSING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN DEPENDING UPON THE EXTENT OF THE CORROSION.
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.
1990 Nissan Maxima common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 124 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1990 Nissan Maxima safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1990 Nissan Maxima 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1990 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 1990 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.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAIL Closed
NHTSA #PE94083 · Seat Belts · opened Nov 1994 · closed Mar 1995An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 28
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. Showing the 10 most recent of 28.
DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Bulletin NTB08-097L · Steering · Sep 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These recommendations are expected to promote uni…
Bulletin NTB23-049 · Electrical System · Jun 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 components. To avoid the risk of death or severe personal injury, do not directly sp…
Bulletin NTB23-053 · Electrical System · Jun 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 bulletin.
Bulletin NTB13-107F · Electrical System · Apr 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.
Bulletin NTB16-003C · Electrical System · Apr 2023WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Bulletin NTB09-081J · Visibility, Structure · Feb 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.
Bulletin NTB13-028H · Visibility, Structure · Feb 2023WHEEL BEARING COLLISION DAMAGE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Bulletin NTB10-126C · Wheels · Feb 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Bulletin NTB08-097K · Steering · Feb 2023STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Bulletin NTB99-001F · Suspension · Dec 2021Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the MAXIMA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 1
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1990 Nissan Maxima. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Fuel System
TRAPPED MUD AND SALT CAN RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND THE WHEEL HOUSING. SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE MAY RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. IN ADDITION, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS MOUNTED TO THE WHEEL HOUSING, AND IN THE EVENT OF SIGNIFICANT CORROSION, OPERATION OF THE SEAT BE…
Transport Canada #1995233 · Dec 1995Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
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.
1990 Nissan Maxima vehicles on record
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30L0011534
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0010253
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0006389
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0009293
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0002692
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0011838
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0007488
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30L0011462
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0009817
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0011669
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0010181
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0006793
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0000355
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0010562
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0008824
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0011697
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0009903
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0007434
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0006241
1990 Nissan MaximaJN100HJ30U0011520