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Nissan Maxima Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • p100p100 Member Posts: 1,116
    Yes, there is a fix for all these. It is called procurement of higher quality components, which means properly annealed sky view/sunroof panels and better quality front end components. So long as Nissan will search for the lowest cost components at the expense of quality, these problems will persist. Also, the components must be properly assembled, and this is one area where quality control seems to be limping too.
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    when Renault bought them is 00 or 01 the big push was to cut costs, not maintain quality and cut costs but cut costs.

    My grading would be Toyota about 96, Honda 93 and Nissan about an 85.
  • terryharristerryharris Member Posts: 40
    Ordered a Maxima SE almost 2 months ago. Found out yesterday that factory decided not to produce it and cancelled my order. I am one unhappy puppy! Same dealership (Beavercreek, Ohio) denied existence of the Nissan "Customer Satisfaction Initiative" on the 2004 Quest. Initiative involves up to 9 upgrades included under warranty for the 2004 Quest. Their service department is major sub-par. Do not mention anything found on the Internet as it is hearsay!
  • pegasus17pegasus17 Member Posts: 536
    I use the same dealership as you (JS) but luckily my 2003 Maxima SE has been mechanically trouble-free. FWIW, I never buy a car in the first production year. I wanted the new Accord in 2003 but even Honda quality wasn't good enough to overcome my first year fears. My last 2 cars were bought in the last year of their production cycles (2000 GMC Jimmy, 2003 Maxima SE) and both were very reliable. You might consider the 2005 Camry XLE or the Accord EX as a Maxima alternative. Just my .02
  • kevin111kevin111 Member Posts: 991
    A friend of mine just had his front brakes replaced in his car, and now finds his radio not working (worked prior to taking it in).

    Any ideas why this might have happened, or what this could be?

    Thank you.
  • aggiedogaggiedog Member Posts: 238
    First thing I'd check would be the fuses.
  • dirkworkdirkwork Member Posts: 210
    Its not in NVA but Laurel Maryland, but a friend of mine runs a very good small repair business called "Vernon's" on Rt 1 just north of Laurel's main drag, where the northbound and southbound lanes come right back together near Laurel Dodge (across street). He honestly prefers working on GM cars and hot rods but they do all sorts of stuff including motorhomes and trucks. Ask for Richard.
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    I have a 99 I30 with a CD changer under the seat - if you eject the CD cartridge that holds the 6 CDs while the car is running it blows the fuse every time.

    turn the key off and u can eject the cartridge with no problem
  • lichtronimolichtronimo Member Posts: 212
    I've got an order in for a 2004 SE that I placed in late may. I know the factory kicked my order out right away because they said to get a 6spd with sunroof that you had to order the Sensory package (I tried just getting by with cloth). We put the order back in ASAP and as far as I know everyting is OK.

    Did they give you a specific reason why the order was cancelled?
  • terryharristerryharris Member Posts: 40
    lichtronimo,

    They claimed that the factory would not produce the white package with the caffe latte interior. I do not know if they really knew the reason. We have since ordered a Chrysler 300C and when the order goes in and it is not producable, the order is kicked back immediately.

    I am overall disappointed with Nissan. I fought for 9 months to get my 2004 Quest fixed with numerous problems. The dealer and Nissan USA played dumb saying mine was the only Quest having problem. I shoved the Internet forums on these problems down their throat and they just ignored me. Now suddenly my Quest is at the dealer today having six problems fixed as the result of a Nissan Customer Satisfaction Initiative on the Quest. Nissan sucks!!!!!!!!!!!
  • lichtronimolichtronimo Member Posts: 212
    After reading your message, I called my dealer. My car got booted too. Lucky for me, another dealer had the exact same car as I ordered coming this week and they got it in exchange for an Altima.
  • pjnpjn Member Posts: 4
    That's very good advice (regarding the ECU). I had both O2 sensors replaced and my SES light reappeared a couple of weeks later. After a diagnositic test, the mechanic said it was computer related. Did the dealer perform the ECU update? or independent garage or other. I trust dealers as far as I can throw them.
  • ccermakccermak Member Posts: 260
    For me, I had the dealer do it. You can only get Nissan O2 sensors from a Nissan parts dealer. There are no knockoff O2 sensors, not even Bosch has them. Need to get OEM sensor. So I got the part at the dealer, and since I was already there, I just had them do it. They replaced the sensor and reprogrammed the ECU. Going forward, smarter to reprogram ECU and leave sensor since it's probably just ECU prob and not sensor prob. Then after ECU reprogram if SES light comes back on get a new O2 sensor. ECU flash is $79. O2 sensor part alone is like $225. What a ripoff. I was out the door for almost $400.
  • p100p100 Member Posts: 1,116
    Just one piece of advice:

    Because O2 sensor replacements are very expensive, be very selective about what kind of fuel you use in your vehicle. The reason is that O2 sensors are very sensitive to alcohol contamination and some gasolines may contain more than maximum allowable amount. I have been using only premium brand name fuel in my 98 Maxima (Mobil, Amoco, Chevron) and have not had any O2 sensor problems. None in my 99 Mazda 626 with 91 K miles either. Or with my 95 Nissan V6 pickup with 84K miles.

    I do not use regular unleaded in any of my vehciles (premium only in Maxima and Mazda and mid grade in the pickup. What I spend extra in fuel translates into higher fuel economy and better performance and fewer repair bills. (In fact I have not had any fuel or emissions related issues with any of these vehicles to date and the engine service light never came on in any of them.

    Also, buy a bottle of Chevron Techron injector cleaner and pour it into your gas tank with each oil change ( I do this every 3 K miles.) This stuff really works. It will keep your fuel system clean and you will not have to go to any delaer and spend $ 100+ on injector cleaning periodically. I have not had the injectors cleaned in any of my vehciles. I clean the throttle bodies periodically, but generally they are fairly clean to begin with. Each of my vehicles has over 80k miles and they run great.
  • pjnpjn Member Posts: 4
    do you still have the url for that website that contains codes for 1995-2000 maxima's?
  • alcanalcan Member Posts: 2,550
    Here:
    http://www.troublecodes.net/OBD2/Pcodes.shtml#400

    Or here:
    http://www.troublecodes.net/Nissan/95ams96-00.shtml#95max
  • py111777py111777 Member Posts: 3
    Here's the update on my incident with reprogramming my 00 Maxima ECU because the SES light came on. The dealer charged me 275.00 for the service. After getting advice from this forum, I contacted the Nissan consumer hotline and told them what happened. The rep. agreed that the car was still under the 8yrs/80k miles emissions warranty. He contacted the dealer and within 2 weeks I received a refunded check for the whole amount.
  • claytonjclaytonj Member Posts: 2
    Hi guys,
    Two weeks ago I bought a used 2004 Maxima SE and while driving in the night, I realized that the headlamps are not focused on the road, they actually illuminate the back of cars but not the road. When I turn on the fog lamps, they provide a little better illumination but its still no picnic when driving in the night. I returned to the dealership and was told that these headlamps cannot be adjusted??? Strange as the was I left without an argument even though I think it was one of the stupidiest things that I had heard. Have anyone who owns a 2004 Maxima had similiar problems and if so, how did you get it fixed or how did you re focus the headlamps..

    Thank for your help
  • dklaneckydklanecky Member Posts: 559
    The headliamps are adjustable according to the 04 Maxima Shop Manual, Lighting Section (LT), page #39 describes the procedure. It looks like it's just an adjusting screw on the back of the headlight.
  • bustedknucklesbustedknuckles Member Posts: 1
    i have i 1988 nissan maxima can anyone tell me how to program my remote?
  • sihansihan Member Posts: 5
    I have 2000 maxima as well (GLE) with SES light on. I only drove little less than 50K and a few weeks ago it got turned on. My local mechanic tested and told me that all O2 sensors were working fine according to his computer kit, he said possibly it could be a little missfire from one of the sensors and the light got turned on. He de-programmed the SES light to be off but it came on again later. If I find out that my prob is ECU, I should be able to get a courtesy service from a dealer, thru corporate though?...
  • alcanalcan Member Posts: 2,550
    What diagnostic trouble codes were set?
  • sihansihan Member Posts: 5
    alcan, haven't had a chance to do the coding thing i'm kinda new here. reading prev pages, autozone is the way. will go there tomorrow and let you know.

    all,
    I agree with many of you that Nissan is going down deep. I did read business week talking about nissan's QC getting worse, especially on new minivans and V8 trucks. so new owners keep in mind. they said something to do with U.S. assembly line.. I had 81-280Z & 88-Max and they ran like a battle ship, never had any major probs. I say 280z has been the best car I had overall. my 90-300Z, thank God I sold it asap.. All all these purchases, I think I'm done with Nissan for now. I'm definitely leaning toward Toy & Honda for the next one.. Or even Chevy or GMC..
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    renault bought a big chunk of Nissan in 00 and started cutting costs.

    The words Mexico, China, or Renault not cause a quality thought in my mind.
  • sihansihan Member Posts: 5
    alcan,

    Got the trouble code:

    P0420 - Catalyst efficiently low bank #1.

    That's what the machine said. Do I have a chance to get a free service from a dealer when I have only 48K miles on...
  • derrickmderrickm Member Posts: 7
    I made a mistake a year and a half ago and sold my '92 Maxima for a new Camry. I'm sick of having no throttle response, so I'm going to buy a used Maxima. I'm looking at '00-'03, and wonder which years people feel had the fewest problems. I really like the added horsepower of the 02/03, but could live with a 00/01 easily. Any advice would be helpful.
  • p100p100 Member Posts: 1,116
    In my opinion (and experience) 95-99 are the most reliable years. If you want good throttle response, your best choice is a 95-99 SE with a 5 speed manual transmission. Compared to a Camry with 4 cyl/auto, 5 speed manual SE feels like a sports car.

    I should know, I own a 98 Maxima SE with a 5 speed manual, and I rented a 4 cylinder/auto Camry and drove it about 1600 miles. Suffice to say, the Camry was really unresponsive when trying to pass somebody quickly, and I had to floor the car every time just to make it downshift because there was no passing power in top gear.
  • derrickmderrickm Member Posts: 7
    Hi,

    I'm really looking at either 00/01 or 02/03. I'm particularly impressed with the 02/03--I drove one and it was a rocket! After reading this forum, I'm thinking I'll get one that's still under warranty just to be safe.

    Btw, my Camry is the SE/V6. Passes fine, but anytime you're looking for immediate speed, forget it. A slight lag before the engine starts to rev up, then the tranny lets the engine wind up and doesn't produce any power until higher RPM. All-in-all a >1 second lag.
  • derrickmderrickm Member Posts: 7
    Hi,

    I'm really looking at either 00/01 or 02/03. I'm particularly impressed with the 02/03--I drove one and it was a rocket! After reading this forum, I'm thinking I'll get one that's still under warranty just to be safe.

    Btw, my Camry is the SE/V6. Passes fine, but anytime you're looking for immediate speed, forget it. A slight lag before the engine starts to rev up, then the tranny lets the engine wind up and doesn't produce any power until higher RPM. All-in-all a >1 second lag.
  • 92camrywagon92camrywagon Member Posts: 5
    After over a decade with my 4cyl Camry, I just bought an '02 Maxima. I read a bunch of stuff trying to figure out that same question--'00-01 or 02-03? My conclusion, finally, was that any of them should be reliable. There were just a couple of problems in '00 when it was a new model. The '02 is no different from the '00-'01 except for the larger engine, but that engine was already quite mature.

    The 3.0 liter in the '00-'01 is no slouch, and there are tons of them on the used market right now. But if you happen to find a deal on an '02, like I did, go for it. You'll get to work a little sooner every day. ;-)
  • derrickmderrickm Member Posts: 7
    Hi,

    I'm really looking at either 00/01 or 02/03. I'm particularly impressed with the 02/03--I drove one and it was a rocket! After reading this forum, I'm thinking I'll get one that's still under warranty just to be safe.

    Btw, my Camry is the SE/V6. Passes fine, but anytime you're looking for immediate speed, forget it. A slight lag before the engine starts to rev up, then the tranny lets the engine wind up and doesn't produce any power until higher RPM. All-in-all a >1 second lag.
  • derrickmderrickm Member Posts: 7
    How embarrassing--every time I've refreshed this page to see recent posts it's reposted my last entry. Sorry everybody.

    Thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to try to find an '02 or '03. They seem to be available in Utah, which is reasonably close to me. People don't seem to be getting rid of them--they're not exactly easy to find.

    I agree that if I go with a 2000, I'd avoid the first six months or so of the new model.

    :)
  • ccermakccermak Member Posts: 260
    I own a 2000 SE loaded automatic with 70K on it and besides an alternator and O2 sensor it's been solid. Not even done brakes yet. However, if I was buying a used max, I'd get the 3.5 motor. I've driven both, and I often long for the greater oomph of the larger motor. Big difference off the line, not so much diff when passing on the highway as the 3.0 will pass in a flash when needed. Get an 02, lots of deals around here in MN. I've even thought of trading up, but with 5 more payments left on a 60mo loan I'm thinking no payment sounds NICE!!!
  • bjoycebjoyce Member Posts: 1
    This is my 4th Maxima since 1990 and I am not happy. There is a serious shift issue with the new autoshift, 5 speed transmission on GL's sold after Feb 2004. The dealer says "it's normal" but other owners have the same problem!!! The gas cap is designed badly. I just replaced the XM antenna, for the 2nd time and it still works about 60% of the time. Any comments?
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    Renault owns them now
  • ccermakccermak Member Posts: 260
    Renault owns like a 40-44% stake, don't they? That wouldn't mean they "own" them. They did however send over their CEO Carlos Ghosn, who is a legend over there in Japan now in case you didn't know. Yes he's done cost cutting and forced their parts suppliers to decrease costs or they'd walk away atc, but the stock has been great since he's been there. I know, I own it. I do think quality has slipped a bit, but can it be directly attributed to the "cost cutting" measures of Ghosn? Debatable I suppose. They have opened up factories in the US, can that be the cause of the quality slip??? Think about that.
  • p100p100 Member Posts: 1,116
    No doubt there are some assembly issues directly attributable to good old American shoddy workmanship. However, there are also cheaper, lower quality parts being used, which accounts for a number of warranty issues. A good example is cheap coils and Bridgestone tires used on 2000-2003 Maximas, which were assembled in Japan.

    Personally I detest cost cutting measures like introduction of low quality questionable parts in order to save money. No matter how carefully a vehicle is assembled, if you make it out of low quality parts manufactured by people who make 65 cents and hour, you are not going to have a good product. Nissan is not the only company guilty of this approach- there are many others.

    Personally I much rather pay a few thousand dollars more for a well built quality vehicle. This is why I will be looking at Lexus products in the future. I already walked away from an 03 Nissan Maxima and an 04 Nissan Titan. I will not buy a new vehicle that exhibits severe wheel vibration during a test drive, or something that comes out of a factory with a fist sized paint flaw. Are you listening Carlos Ghosn?
  • ccermakccermak Member Posts: 260
    I believe I have to agree with your response. Lower quality materials are being used. It's noticeable across the line, in all Nissans. I don't like the interiors in the 04 Max and Altima (even with new for 05). I work on databases and I think the old addage "garbage in = garbage out" applies quite nicely ;-). Cheap materials going in is going to result in quality issues. I am in need of a midsize SUV and I'm thinking Pathfinder over Murano, even though the Murano would fit my needs better and gets better mileage, because I feel the Pathfinder is still old Nissan versus new. Until 05 version anyway.
  • wainwain Member Posts: 479
    i just bought a Highlander and like it
  • gtgraygtgray Member Posts: 22
    I have a 2004 SL. I had a front end rattle at 10,000 miles that was driving me nuts.....no performance problem, just the presence of a heavy rattle in the front end while driving over minor road imperfections. Nissan knew exactly what it was when I went to the dealership....a bad front passenger-side strut. The head mechanic there said that they've seen so many of them on the 2004's that they are actuallu making money on them. Nissan pays for 1.5hrs of labor for the fix, but they get it done in about 45 minutes.
  • aggiedogaggiedog Member Posts: 238
    Also, the 02/03 have the 6 speed manual, if you can find one as well as the xenon head lights.

    No problems with my 02 SE.
  • derrickmderrickm Member Posts: 7
    aggiedog-Yeah, the 6-speed sounds pretty nice. Haven't seena single one of them out here though. I testdrove the '02 with auto and was suitable impressed.

    gtgray- i think all the brands have some problems; especially earlier on. Took 6 months to get the rattles out of my 02 Camry. In the end, was a service bulletin than led them to a bad weld deep under the windshield.

    ccermak- I did did drive a '00 SE and an '02 SE. I was really impressed with each. The '00 had the kind of power I was used to before with my old Maxima. 58k miles and felt brand new in every respect. I do agree with you about the extra horsepower, and will likely get an 02 or 03. Yeah, I had no car payments for 7 years until I made the mistake of getting rid of my last maxima. Are you a DBA or a developer?
  • gatormagatorma Member Posts: 2
    Bought a used '01 20th AE Maxima about 6 months ago, 28K miles, 2 weeks ago driving along, let my foot off the gas to stop for rush hour traffic and all the lights on the dash came on (Air bag light flashing, ABS, O/D light on), then the engine drops down into O/D and radio/clock/A/C goes off. Just happen to be by the dealer and drove into the service. They called me later in the day to say that it needs a battery, then they do a computer check and he says everything is fine. This all might be in my mind, but just wanted to check with the board.... when you need a new battery, does it stop in the middle of driving? I would think that the alternator should have been charging the battery enough even at driving, but with these new cars, nothing is normal anymore. Maybe something wrong with alternator?

    Another thing, it feels like the car is dragging and not coasting when driving highway. I'm probably not wording properly, but it feels very tight and hesitant to just cruise along like my '96 Maxima did. It doesn't feel like the transmission is missing or slipping, but tight and not cruising smoothly? Anyone have any thoughts?
  • ccermakccermak Member Posts: 260
    Actually, I'm an Essbase Administrator, dealing with OLAP cube databases. But we source our data from Oracle tables so I'm in there quite a bit as well, usually with Toad. Plus we use Informatica to move the data around. So an Informatica and Essbase developer, SQL programmer, and an Admin, but not a DBA in Oracle.
  • derrickmderrickm Member Posts: 7
    I have a friend who does that sort of thing--I understand that it's a good skill to have!

    I do .net development using Oracle, SAP, etc.--mostly salesorder entry and processing, material pricing, inventory stuff. :)
  • czechmateczechmate Member Posts: 3
    I an the original owner of a 1995 Maxima with 155K miles on it. It's been a great car with very few problems. I had major service (tune-up, etc.) done in March and no problems surfaced at that time. When I had it in for an oil change last month, the technician said the engine still looked great and I should get another 50-100K out of it. However, recently my brakes have been pulsing when coming to a normal slow speed stop, like at a stop sign. If I'm stopping a little quicker from say 30 mph, you can really feel it. I have ABS, and there is no trouble light showing on the dash. I suspect the ABS is engaging every time I brake. Has anyone else had this problem? THanks!
  • ccermakccermak Member Posts: 260
    Sounds very much to me like you need new rotors and probably pads. When's the last time you had your rotors "resurfaced" and had new brake pads put on? Pulsing felt in the brake pedal, and often times steering wheel, when braking hard is almost always the rotors. When the ABS comes on you feel more of a grinding and vibrating feel, along with a groaning noise. It's actually kinda scary if you've never experienced it before and it kicks in. Happens a lot to me here in MN in the winter when it's icy and coming to a stop. I've also felt it though when stopping hard and going over bumps in the road.
  • bkswardbksward Member Posts: 93
    Also, the 02/03 have the 6 speed manual, if you can find one as well as the xenon head lights.


    The final drive ratio is the same on the old 5-speed as on the 6-speed. I have an 02 6-speed. Most of the time I end up shifting 1-2-3-6 or 1-2-4-6.

    The VQ engine has a wide enough torque curve that the "close ratio" 6-speed doesn't add much. On a car like the S2000 with a very small torque peak it is useful, but not on the Max.

    I would have much preferred that Nissan had done what BMW did with the 5-series and put in a tall, highway gear with the extra cog.
  • claytonjclaytonj Member Posts: 2
    Hi Guys, has anyone installed aftermarket HID bulbs in a 2004 yet. I heard a rumor that it shouldn't be done to the 04 Max b/c the headlamps must be connected to a special printed circuit board that only the dealer can access. If the HID bulbs are installed without connecting them to the printed circuit board, they will fry a couple of the fuses that protect the car's electrical system and the headlamp fuses. Any truth to this rumor or is fairly safe for me to install the aftermarket HID conversion KIT. Any suggestions???????
  • czechmateczechmate Member Posts: 3
    Thanks for explaining about the ABS! I did replace both front and rear rotors and pads at 107K miles so didn't think it was time for that again. But you were right...I took it in for a brake inspection today and was told the rotors are warped and need to be milled.
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