Problems with 1999 Nissan Maxima ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle failed to start after repeated attempts. when vehicle started, the "service engine soon" light was illuminated. engine was misfiring. dealer ran diagnostic test and retrieved fault code p1320 from the ecu. was informed that all six ignition coils were defective and need to be replaced. nissan issued a technical service bulletin (tsb #01-060) in september, 2001, which addresses the problem involving the ignition coils. dealer refused to cover repair under manufacturer's warranty or goodwill program. this is an obvious manufacturing defect which could result in the engine stalling while being driven, potentially causing an accident and injuries. i request that the nhtsa launch an investigation and order nissan to recall the affected vehicles and replace the defective ignition coils, free-of-charge. *ak

Engine coils - i recently discovered that i have an engine coil problem in my 99 nissan maxima. i found this very disturbing considering when i purchased this car it was one of the leaders when it came to engine performance. what i found even more disturbing was when the dealer informed me that they usually go out around this time, which does not seem to be normal to me. especially given the amount of replacement costs. i spent some time on the internet and discovered this is a reoccuring problem and there is even a petition for it. this makes me rethink my choice of purchasing a nissan for reliability. especially, given that nissan is not standing by their product and ensuring this problem is rectified for the customer at no additional costs. i am a loyal nissan customer and have gotten several individuals to purchase nissan's however this experience is changing my outlook completely. in closing, i would like to mention that when i looked for recall information on nissan's website it was surprising to see the comments "we're our own toughest critics", if this is true why aren't the number of people experiencing my problem being taken care of, why are engine coils a reoccurring issues that the consumer have to bear the expense for? i will be escalating this matter, but wanted to lodge a complaint here as well. i do not think that a human life should be sacrificed in order to catch the eye of a manufacturer when it comes to vehicle performance.*ak

I need to replace the following for my 99 nissan maxima so far:- (1) 2 oxygen sensors. (2) 1 engine control module (3) 6 ignition coils and 1 condenser now, the traction control system is not working. my maxima has only 52,000 miles. all these repairs right after 36,000 miles. nissan should recall all these. however, i know nhtsa won't recall it because there is no injuries. thank you very much.*ak

I have a 99 nissan maxima and the service engine light came on this week. the local garage did a diagnostic test and found codes for knock sensor and ignition signal. the local garage was puzzled because they've never seen a knock sensor fail before. called 2 local nissan dealers and both say it's ignition coils (and the knock sensor was ok) and unless the diagnostic says which one went bad i'd have to replace them all for $600 to $800 because my car is out of warranty. it looks like this is a common problem and wonder what it would take for a recall? *nlm

Defective ignition coils. *la

I am experiencing an ignition coil misfire. the technician, not nissan, indicates nissan has been having problems with this and from reading complaints, i see there are some listed. while i realize this is not a safety issue, it is an issue for me personally because the problem is not caused by me but is rather a nissan manufacturing problems and should be recalled and paid for by nissan. i have been very pleased with my maxima and would like to stay with nissan but if they are not going to acknowledge the problem and fix it, i don't believe i'll stay with nissan when i trade vehicles. *la

Recently, one ignition coil failed. my nissan dealer told me that since one failed, all of them would need to be replaced because they would probably all fail soon after the first one failed. if dealers can't keep replacement ignition coils in stock because so many of them are failing on the maxima, then shouldn't it be a recall. it cost me over $800 to have them replaced. also, if i press the unlock button too many times on my wireless key remote, the windows roll down partially. does anyone else think that's an odd and annoying thing that shouldn't be happening. hello, recall! *la

Car cranks but will not start/catch. security indicator light is illuminated indicating vehicle immobilizer system is malfunctioning. appparently the ignition key has deprogrammed and needs to be reprogrammed.*ak

Ignition coil failure. serveral problems with brake system and alignment/suspension. have replace 2 coils so far, it was better for a while. nissan needs to recall the ignition coils several problems.*ak

Ignition coils have gone bad in the car ,causing cylinder misfires.*ak

In june of 2003, my check engine light came on. after paying for the expensive computer diagnosis i was told that one of the ignition coils was bad. however they could not tell which one and i would need to replace all of them eventually. since it was so expensive my mechanic said we could start by replacing one at a time that worked fine up until now. recently my car has stalled in traffic. i don't understand why if so many people are experiencing the same problems, why a recall is not being done at nissan's expense. i wish i would have found this website before i purchased my maxima. i will think twice before buying another nissan. *jb

All coils had to be replaced. it seems like a very high number of maximas produced in 1999 had this problem. mine started occurring at 39000 miles. dealer refused to cover repair cost that (including parts) was quoted at $1200. *nm

Engine is not working smoothly after starting. car is shaking. dealer replaced coils, all 6. problem was gone for about 8 months but it's back again. *jb

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 . this misfiring on interstates and busy roads at high speeds can be very dangerous, because it slows the car down all of a sudden and could result in a rear end crash. this misfiring also results in fuel not being burned in the cylinder and is wasted. *tr

I was experiencing a rough idle and rough engine running, feeling as though the car would cut off at any moment. the dealer tested my car and determined that the ignition coils were bad. they had to replace all 6 at $100+ each because they had no way to tell which of the 6 were bad. it is unlikely that all 6 were bad because the car would still start and run, only having problems intermittently. i find it appalling that i was forced to pay for 6 parts plus labor without being able to determine if all of the parts truly needed replacing.

Defective ignition coils. when i bought my 99 maxima the dealer supposedly "fixed" the problem. by not even a week after i had the car the service engine light went on. took it back to the dealer, they said they could not find the problem and reset the computer. this went on about 3-4 times until the warranty was up, then they found that the #6 ignition coil was bad. after that was replaced, a month did not go by before the service engine light went on again. this time the #4 ignition coil was bad. after getting that one replaced, literally not even 5 hrs went by before the light went on again...i have not taken the car back to the dealer yet. but something needs to be done about this problem...i spend over $200 each time i have to fix this problem. *jb

In my 1999 nissan maxima i have had to have 2 ignition coils replaced. i have later found out that many many other maxima owners are having the same problem with their 99 maximas. when i called nissan they told me that there were not enough complaints to issue a recall at this time. *ak

I took car to nissan dealership after no. 2 coil was bad and they wanted to replace all of the coil packs, rather expensive. i got a second opinion, and they replced the bad one only. a month later, no. 4 went bad while driving in traffic. when the part came in for this one, it was a different part number. something is fishy here. there needs to be a recall. the private repair company told me there appears to be a massive problem getting parts, yet no recall?*ak

Took car to dealer because of rough running engine. dealer says 4 ignition coils need to be replaced but they did not have in stock. when i called several other dealers to check for parts, i was told they can't keep ignition coils in stock because everyone with a 1999 maxima needs them. i asked if there was a recall and they said no. if everyone needs them, then i think it is faulty equipment and should be a recallable item. thank you. *ak

Vehicle is losing power intermittently while driving. dealer notified. feel free to provide any further information.*ak

I had check ignition light on while my 1999 nissan maxima was under warranty and for years after that. you get tired of going back to the dealer and the problem is never solved. the problem turns out tdo be the ignition coils; all replaced at a cost of about $800.00. the receipt is in the car and i can produce my exact cost of repair if a recall would be issued. it is obvious that this is a huge problem and should be addressed. my light has not come on since replacing all the coils. hopefully my complaint will be the one that begins an action by you. *tr

I had several problems with al 6 ignition coils of my 1999 nissan maxima that i no longer have. i have written numerous complaints on an issue that should have been a recall. *tr

Consumer cannot start vehicle with key, the key will not turn ignition switch, consumer stated this was original key received with vehicle. consumer contacted dealer, and dealer had to recode key. *ak *slc

Consumer states vehilce failed to start because the computer chip in vehicle had de programmed. contacted dealer. reprogram chip, problem reaccured.*jb

Consumer could get inside of vehicle with key, but could not start vehicle through ignition switch. electronic devise would not read key, and computer had lost the combination. *ak dealer reprogrammed the key. *slc

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak

Ignition system immoblized when using proper coded nissan keys. car towed to dealer . keys recoded. a car that can't be depended upon is a safety hazard. i want system rewired and deleted from car. others are having the same problem. when will it happen again? what if it's late at night and no phone available? i have a bad heart. this could kill me. i am told only a nissan dealer can repair this. my favorite garage can't. called nissan to complain four times. talked to four differant people. got four differant stories. please make these people rewire this car so it can never possibly happen again. they know this problem exist but only offer verbal reassurance which is not satisfactory.

Ignition system immobilized when using proper coded nissan keys. keys recoded, problem still occurs later. nissan/factory rep knows max se have aproblem, but don't know why. i have a car that i never know when it won't start and must be towed in!! *ak

Ignition switch intermittently works. dealer has had vehicle in dealer's shop for repairs 5 times. consumer is filling for lemon law. *ak