NissanMaxima1998Overview/nissan/maxima/1998/base/

1998 Nissan Maxima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Maxima.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Nissan Maxima is a passenger car equipped with a 4.2-quart oil system requiring 5W-30 viscosity and a 4-speed automatic transmission, achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 18 city, 26 highway, and 21 combined mpg. In terms of reliability, this model year has accumulated 118 total owner complaints, with the top issue being air bags, and it has been subject to six recalls. When placed within the model's complaint history from 1990 to 2023, the 1998 figure is modest compared to the peak of 1,425 complaints in 2004, yet it is far higher than the best year (2015 with just one complaint), indicating that while not the most problematic, this year still carries notable concerns for prospective owners.

Model year202320222021202020192018201720161998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/26/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 360 CCA battery, OE oil filter 152089E01A. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 360 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-65SR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A
Engine air filter16546V0100
Fuel filter1640041B1A
Spark plug224011P114 alt 224011P116
Front wiper blades288903W40A alt 288901E301
Serpentine belt1195031U00 alt 1192031U02
Thermostat1305031U00 alt 2120031U03

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.4 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3025 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 58.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 26 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume100 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Maxima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.6–7.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.60 sec — 1995 SE
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1995SE 3.0L V66.60 sec15.20 sec190 hpFWD
1995SE 3.0L V67.00 sec15.50 sec190 hpFWD
1995GXE 3.0L V67.60 sec15.70 sec190 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts61-69 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub174-231 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub163 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 625, AT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14-22 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing15 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.32-1.54 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance360 cca
Optional BCI Group Number24F

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)34.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance10-14 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance10-14 ohms
Engine Compression142-185 psi
Engine Oil Pressure63-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.010-0.013 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs / 62 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle33 ft-lbs / 72-87 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in / 0.0008 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0031 in / 0.0059 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.866 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.866 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.787 in / 0.315 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Finger tight, Step 24.3 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114-15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9514–15 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., step 2: 6014 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
172 ft. lbs.72 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts completely.
325-33 ft. lbs.25–33 ft. lbs
490-95 degrees.90–95 degrees
590-95 degrees.90–95 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9524–28 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1998 model year registers 118 complaints, 6 recalls, 0 investigations, and 81 TSBs, placing it in a window of relative stability between the 169 complaints recorded in 1995 and the sharp escalation that begins with 176 complaints in 1999 and peaks at 377 in 2000. Compared with its immediate predecessors, 1998 carries only marginally more complaints than 1996 and 1997 while matching 1997’s recall count of 6 and holding investigations at zero. Federal data identifies Air Bags and Electrical System as the most reported complaint areas, though the records do not specify underlying causes. Within the broader arc, 1998 sits in a calm before the dramatic complaint surge that arrives in 1999 and 2000. With crash and fire complaints numbering 13 and 12 respectively, the data does not suggest any outlier safety trajectory for this year. Consequently, buyers seeking a used Maxima from this era face lower reported federal activity with the 1998 model than with the surrounding 1999 and 2000 years, making it a comparatively favorable year to purchase.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
81
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
118
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 12 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 118 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags21
Electrical System19
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10
Tires9
Power Train5
Structure4
Steering4
Vehicle Speed Control4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

06E049000Exterior LightingReported 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH… Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 81 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB08-097L2023-09-21SteeringDIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been…
NTB23-0492023-06-16Electrical System12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service…
NTB23-0532023-06-16Electrical SystemSILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION…
NTB13-107F2023-04-27Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB16-003C2023-04-17Electrical SystemINTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Maxima. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Maxima take?

4.2 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Maxima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Maxima get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.