Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 126 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Nissan Maxima, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 20 | 16% |
| Fuel system | 18 | 14% |
| Visibility | 14 | 11% |
| Air bags | 10 | 8% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 5% |
| Seats | 6 | 5% |
| Suspension | 5 | 4% |
| Power train | 5 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL SPEWED FROM THE FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ADDING GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK HE SMELLED FUEL AND NOTICED IT LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AN
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A FUEL LEAK ON THE PIPE THAT CONNECTS TO THE GAS TANK DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THIS FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
MY DAUGHTER OVER-CORRECTED AND ROLLED THE CAR 4 TIMES, WHICH SHE WAS EJECTED ON THE FIRST ROLL, BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT FAILED TO HOLD HER IN. SHE HAS MARKS ON HER NECK SHOWING WHERE THE SEATBELT BURNED HER BEF
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
1992 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH CORROSION ON REAR WHEEL HOUSING AREA. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS CORROSION CAUSED THE FAILURE THE LEFT REAR SEATBELT RETRACTOR. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE RESULTED OF A RECALL T
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
ENGINE SHUTS OF INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING FOR BRIEF MOMENTS (5-10 SEC.) SOMETIMES IN ISOLATED SINGLE EVENTS, SOMETIMES IN CLUSTERS. ENGINE COMPLETELY LOSES POWER THEN RETURNS. DASHBOARD AND RADIO CONTINUE TO WOR
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL* - THE CONTACT SPENT OVER $3000.00 ON THE 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE HAD A VARIETY OF FAILURES FOR THE PAST YEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED ,BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED PROPERLY. ON 1/2/07 TH
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
I HAVE READ WHERE MANY NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH LEAKS IN THE FUEL FILLER TUBE DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION (BETWEEN '88 AND'94). I HAVE ALSO SEEN THAT NISSAN IS VERY SELECTIVE IN DECIDING WHICH CARS ARE C
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1992 Nissan Maxima. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
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 D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
IN SOME UNDERBODY IMPACTS THE AIRBAG SENSOR ACTIVATES AND SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE AIRBAG, LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG TO INFLATE.
Risk: AIRBAG INFLATION MAY OCCUR WHEN IT IS NOT NEEDED TO PROTECT THE DRIVER AND MAY RESULT IN MINOR INJURIES TO THE DRIVER FROM THE INFLATING AIRBAG.
Fix: A TUNNEL SENSOR OF DIFFERENT DESIGN WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 76 | good |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 126 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 20 of them (16%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.