Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact smelled an electrical burning odor and various warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle shut off completely and was pulled over to the side of the road as smoke appeared from the engine compartment. The contact then noticed flames. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with ice water she had inside the vehicle. An independent mechanic arrived at the scene and diagnosed that the alternator caught on fire. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the 1997 and 1998 models were included in NHTSA campaign number: 02V171000 (electrical system). Although the contact's vehicle was a 1999, she found several complaints online and associated the failure with the recall. …
1999 Nissan Maxima - jn1ca21a 3xm300571 this complaint is in reference to Nissan's recall of 97/98 maximas. The recall was for a faulty alternator. I have a 1999 Nissan Maxima (build date 6/98) that had the same exact problem/symptom as the recall. The campaign id / NHTSA # is r2010 or r2015 \ 02v-171. 4/8/05 - started my car and heard a humming noise coming from engine. I got out and opened the hood and saw a white smoke coming from the alternator. After further investigation saw a fire in the alternator. Ran to the passenger side removed my 4 and 2 year old children and moved them to a safe location. I then found a water bottle in the car and poured the water on the fire. …
Car had just been shut off from running to store I ran inside my house real quick came back out to leave again but car didn't start. Battery light came on and I noticed white smoke coming from under hood. Smelled like electrical parts were burning so I opened hood to notice fire coming from alternator. I used my shirt to put out and during inspection of damage found the fire burned wire harnesses and part of valve cover assembly where oil cap is located. This is an original OEM part and the car only has 118,000 original miles. Found that a recall was done on the years prior for same issue but dealer stated they would not do nothing due to no recall. Alternator s don't just catch fire...
I have a 1999 Nissan Maxima, 5-spd, with 142K miles. Generally the car is a treat to drive and I have had no significant problems to date with its operation. However, upon traveling westward, from va along I-70 in oh, the car simply cut out from its current speed and stopped accelerating and began to hesitate and buck. It was as though the ignition coils briefly stopped working or the fuel filter suddenly became clogged with paraffin. Since my wife and I were traveling at freeway speeds, this was a bit disconcerting. I immediately moved the vehicle over to the far right lane and depressed the gas pedal for more fuel. That action worked briefly, but then the car bucked repeatedly again. We were able to manage the remaining 80 miles toward home thereafter. …
I bought a Nissan Maxima 1999 for my daughter only to find out that she got in her car one morning after just having her vehicle at a mechanic for a check up/service. They told her the car was fine. She then proceeded down the road to the freeway, stopped for gas and the car would not start. Panicked by the 'area' of town she was in I had a tow truck from aaa dispatched to meet her as soon as possible. The vehicle was towed back to the mechanic and we were told that the key to the vehicle had become deprogrammed. I proceeded to call the dealership and they refused to help me unless I had the vehicle towed to them. A scam alert to ensure that you must use a dealership at high cost. …
Started the car. Heard a strange noise while driving out of the driveway about 10 MPH, then smelled something burning, stopped the car and saw smoke coming out from the engine. Turned the car off, opened the hood and saw that the alternator was on fire. After researching the internet, found several cases where the 1999 Maxima has an issue with the alternator catching on fire, in some cases causing the vehicle to burn. Also found out that Nissan had a recall on the 1998 Maxima for alternator fires. Called Nissan about the problem. A Nissan rep called back and called it a "thermal incident." I explained that a fire is not a "thermal incident" but is a fire (this is like describing a shotgun wound as acute lead poisoning). The Nissan rep said that due to the age and mileage of the vehicle, anything could happen. …
While driving my car, it started to miss, sputter, run bad, vibrate and almost turn off. The check engine light came on and after having the codes read (p1320) and researching DTC p1320 and/or spark knock (detonation) due to ignition coil (s). I find out that this is a very common problem with several years of maximas. I also found out that there are newer coils with a gray dot, that is to be used to replace the older defective ones. Not only are the bad ones recommended for replacement, but all 6 are recommended for replacement. Why is this? I believe is was because of a known defect in the parts. I have already replaced several of these coils and it don't take long before the check engine light is back on, and the car is once again misfiring and getting bad gas mileage because of code p1320, another bad coil. Nissan should recall these cars and fix this continuously ongoing problem . …
Vehicle unexpectedly started to run rough, misfired repeatedly, and experienced episodes of near stalling, while driving at highway speeds. The service engine soon light illuminated and vehicle continued to operate under a severe loss of power before being able to safely pull the vehicle off the highway. Dealer determined fault code p1320 was stored and all six ignition coils were faulty and needed to be replaced. Technical service bulletin (TSB #01-060) was issued by Nissan in September 2001, which outlines the ignition coil problem. The dealer refused to cover the repair under manufacturer s warranty or extend any goodwill when the technical service bulletin was brought to their attention. This is a critical product defect which could result in a serious accident, injuries, and even death, should the engine stall while driving vehicle. …
The coils on my Nissan Maxima 1999 can never get fixed. This a "Nissan part" problem that needs to be investigated. I have the car for almost 6 years and the coils have been a problem ever since I first got the car. The do not want to take responsibly on this and the problem seems not being resolved by anybody. Please look on the internet and you will see that there are thousands of people being ripped off by the Nissan dealers. I will give you a website and you will see that I am not telling you jokes. Http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/Nissan/Maxima/r64073/. Again, there is no solve to this problem, even if we change the coils ten times, the problem will still remind. Please, you are the government and this needs to be investigated. I hope this helps to get more people and finally make them pay for this part ignition coils are a defective parts on Nissan maximas 1999!!!!!!
When leaving the grocery store my car would not start. The failure resulted in my walking home and loss of income. The car was towed to a shop and was diagnosed as ignition system immoblized because of the anti-theft system. Apparently, the key code has a problem and all keys and car need to be reprogrammed. Now, car has to be towed to the dealership as only Nissan can fix. And Nissan is charging me for their defectiveness!! So, end result count on two towing bills, mechanic charge, Nissan dealership charge and delivery of car back to shop. Nissan is aware of this problem and has not issued a recall even though it is quite common. Now how am I supposed to account for when my car will not start again? Does not strike me as a dependable car. And, I do not have a cell phone, so what time of night will I be walking home next time?
Electrical complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Nissan Maxima, 50% of the model year's 165 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (39 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Nissan Maxima electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1999 Nissan Maxima. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Nissan Maxima electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.