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1999 Nissan Maxima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 Maxima.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Nissan Maxima is a passenger car equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission and an engine requiring 4.2 quarts of 5W-30 API oil. This model delivers an EPA-rated fuel economy of 18/26/21 mpg and sits within a broader production history spanning 1990 to 2023. With 176 owner complaints—primarily regarding the electrical system—and four recalls, this model year falls between the 2004 peak of 1,425 complaints and the 2015 low of one complaint.

Model year2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 1999

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 filter	152089E01A
Engine air filter	16546V0100
Fuel filter	1640041B1A
Spark plug	224011P114 alt 224011P115
Front wiper blades	288903W40A alt 288901E301
Serpentine belt	1195031U00 alt 1192031U02
Thermostat	1305031U00 alt 2120031U03

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	189.4 in
Overall width	69.7 in
Overall height	55.9 in
Wheelbase	106.3 in
Curb weight	3018 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.1 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	18 / 26 / 21 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	100 cu ft
Cargo volume	15 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular 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

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1995	SE 3.0L V6	6.60 sec	15.20 sec	190 hp	FWD
1995	SE 3.0L V6	7.00 sec	15.50 sec	190 hp	FWD
1995	GXE 3.0L V6	7.60 sec	15.70 sec	190 hp	FWD

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 Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	61-69 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	174-231 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	163 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 625, AT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	NGK
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	14-22 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	15 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	2 degrees

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.32-1.54 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	6.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	360 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	24F

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	34.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	10-14 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	10-14 ohms
Engine Compression	142-185 psi
Engine Oil Pressure	63-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash	0.010-0.013 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	16-23 ft-lbs / 62 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	33 ft-lbs / 72-87 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in / 0.0008 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0031 in / 0.0059 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.866 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.866 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.787 in / 0.315 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

Finger tight, Step 2

4.3 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

14-15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95

14–15 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

14 ft. lbs., step 2: 60

14 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	72 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	Loosen all bolts completely.
3	25-33 ft. lbs.	25–33 ft. lbs
4	90-95 degrees.	90–95 degrees
5	90-95 degrees.	90–95 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

24-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95

24–28 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 every 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.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine 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 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark 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 1999 Nissan Maxima registers 176 federal complaints, 4 recalls, 0 investigations, and 72 TSBs, placing it at the start of a sharp escalation rather than in the calmer mid-1990s period. Compared with 1996–1998, which averaged roughly 112 complaints and 5–6 recalls per year, 1999 shows a meaningful rise in complaints while carrying fewer recalls than the years immediately before or after it. The following year, 2000, explodes to 377 complaints and 126 TSBs, making 1999 look like the leading edge of a broader reliability downturn for this generation. Within 1999, complaints concentrate heavily in the electrical system (68), followed by engine and cooling (23) and air bags (15), though the federal data does not identify specific root causes. The 12 crash-related and 5 fire-related complaints add some safety flags, yet the volume remains far below the 2000 peak. For a buyer, 1999 is a borderline but defensible choice: it is not the cleanest year of its generation, but it avoids the severe 2000 spike and the higher recall counts of 2001–2002, so a well-documented, well-maintained example is worth considering with caution.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

176

Owner complaints

12 involved a crash · 5 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98’99’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 176 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System68

Engine & Engine Cooling23

Air Bags15

Unknown Or Other7

Power Train5

Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System5

Vehicle Speed Control4

Tires4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 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 72 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB08-097L	2023-09-21	Steering	DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been…
NTB23-049	2023-06-16	Electrical System	12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service…
NTB23-053	2023-06-16	Electrical System	SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION…
NTB13-107F	2023-04-27	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB16-003C	2023-04-17	Electrical System	INTELLIGENT 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.

Group 35 battery Vehicles taking 4.2 qt Engine oil filter 152089E01A Engine air filter 16546V0100 Fuel filter 1640041B1A Spark plug 224011P114

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1999 Maxima take?

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

Does the 1999 Maxima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 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.