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

1998 vs 1999 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 335 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 49.1% more reports in the equal exposure window

1998 108 complaints 1999 161 complaints

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 1998 share 1999 share Share change
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21.3% 45.3% ▲ 24.0 pts larger share
ENGINE 6.5% 20.5% ▲ 14.0 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 20.4% 9.9% ▼ 10.4 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 8.3% 3.1% ▼ 5.2 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 4.6% 0.6% ▼ 4.0 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 4.6% 1.2% ▼ 3.4 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE 5.6% 2.5% ▼ 3.1 pts smaller share
STEERING 3.7% 0.6% ▼ 3.1 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4.6% 1.9% ▼ 2.8 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 0.9% not reported ▼ 0.9 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 1.9% 1.2% ▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 3.7% 3.1% ▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
TIRES 0.9% 0.6% ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
PARKING BRAKE 0.9% 0.6% ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 2.8% 2.5% ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 58.3% 70.8% ▲ 12.5 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1998 6

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1999 4

Campaign components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
12 → 5
◆ Injuries
9 → 1