Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1988 vs 1989 NISSAN MAXIMA

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 455 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 5.1% more reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1988 share 1989 share Share change
ENGINE 18.6% 1.6% ▼ 17.0 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 45.8% 29.0% ▼ 16.7 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 1.7% 12.9% ▲ 11.2 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 1.7% 9.7% ▲ 8.0 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 1.7% 4.8% ▲ 3.2 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10.2% 12.9% ▲ 2.7 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 1.7% not reported ▼ 1.7 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 10.2% 11.3% ▲ 1.1 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3.4% 3.2% ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share
STEERING 3.4% 3.2% ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1.7% 1.6% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 89.8% 85.5% ▼ 4.4 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1988 1

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1989 4

Campaign components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
32 → 2
◆ Injuries
2 → 9