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Nissan Maxima Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • jcollins19jcollins19 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2000 DE 1 year old and noticed my paint is chipping terribly, has anyone else noticed this problem and questioned Nissan. I am taking it to the dealer this week, I expect them to tell me this is normal wear and tear. Never seen anything like this before. I will let you know what they say.
  • qx4qx4 Member Posts: 99
    hi all
    i'm a frequent reader of this site but rarely a poster. thanks to another problem free maxima.

    i am having a hardtime making a decision and i need your help. infact i would appreciate your comments.

    what kind of problems should expect after 200,000kms (+125,000miles).? for maximas or nissan's in general.

    i've replaced all 4 rotors laterly. tires replaced last year. the engine is running as strong as new. all working like a clock...almost. the only thing i've noticed is the ride smoothness. a bit too bumpy (not bouncy)...just harder ride. had the CV joint boot rubber replaced last year on one corner. and one suspension rod had to be replaced as well due to loud banging noise from the front last year.

    had problem with A/c.....turned out to be Gas leak. they refilled it......works fine now.

    at this point.....all problems solved except ride quality which is expected for this much milage i guess.

    the car is driven 60%city 40%highway

    i should also mention that its a
    1995 maxima GXE
    original owner
    ORIGINAL BATTERY:)
    192,000kms
    7 year old (since july 94)
    driven in toronto winter

    so keep the car or get rid of it?
    what kind of problems are expected or likely
    to happen after 135k miles on this generation
    of maximas?

    Your help is appreciated
  • tgif888tgif888 Member Posts: 351
    Check out www.nissanpaint.com Lots of users are already complaining the paint chip problem.
  • ccermakccermak Member Posts: 260
    Got my car back, got 5 minutes down the road, TICK TICK TICK. Debating on bringing it back on Monday yet again. Otherwise I just get to deal with it. No good for $27K car. Everything else is pretty much ok, besides the paint chips, and the transmission sometimes is undecided - meaning it will drop down a gear unexpectedly when turning and then accelerating with the A/C on. I'll go to pull out and make a right hand turn and give it a little more gas after the turn and heading straight and it will hesitate for a split second and then drop down a gear and go like hell. Is this normal???
  • creatorcreator Member Posts: 1
    I've decided to buy a 2000 Maxima. I haven't decided whether to get the SE or a GLE. When you add options to the SE that are standard on the GLE (according to Edmunds), there's not much difference in price. So, I would like to hear from 2000 Maxima owners about the pros and cons of owning each and why you chose your model. Feel free to brag or wax poetic. Thanks creator.
  • jmm7171jmm7171 Member Posts: 1
    Does anyone use non-premium gas in there Maxima? I was told that performance will decrease slightly.
  • ccermakccermak Member Posts: 260
    SE has stiffer suspension so it corners a little harder. GLE is more touring or softer suspension. I would equate it to an Accord. SE has 17" rims and the GLE has 16". GLE is standard with BOSE, leather, roof, basically everything. SE has those as options. GLE has woodgrain, SE does not. You can get the SE in a stick shift and you can't in the GLE. The gauges might be different colored also. Basically, if you're older and want a nicer more comfortable less harsh ride, the GLE is for you. If you want a little stiffer more Euro feel, or a manual tranny, then you want the SE. The enthusiasts usually choose the stick shift SE for best performance. Both have the same engines, body, etc etc.
  • nkarasevnkarasev Member Posts: 1
    I have 91 SE and thinking about upgrading its
    stock tape/AM/FM bose to something with CD.
    I do not want expensive parts though. Rather
    prefer nearly stock quality. Basically
    all I want is to listen to a CD and radio
    with a nice sound (mine is aged so the
    sound is distorted somewhat).
    I heard that bose is not compatible with
    everything else and I need to replace the whole
    system including speakers. Is this true?

    Thanks.

    P.S. If this is not the right place to ask,
    please, point me to the more appropriate.
  • nomad00nomad00 Member Posts: 2
    I'll start out by praising the Maxima. I've owned a '91 and I own a '94 and they have taken the beating. My current Maxima which has 166k finally needs a complete exhaust system (manifold back). I called Nissan for S&G's and they quoted me close to 3k. Yea, I cringed too! I have been searching around the sites (Greddy, Stillen, etc.) and find only cat-back systems, which are too pricey for the value of the car. My question is where can I find a decent exhaust system (EM performance or better) for a decent price? Your help is appreciated.
  • eduser1eduser1 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 94 Nissan Maxima GXE with 99k miles. A few months ago, the front passenger side window started acting up - it has no problems going down, but usually refuses to roll back up. Rolling it down completely and then trying to roll it back up after repeated attempts a few hours apart have usually worked, but are obviously a hassle. It does not matter what switch (the one by the driver side or the one by the window in question) is used - the results are the same. Now the rear window behind the driver side is doing the same thing.

    On the phone, I have been quoted between $300-$400 for EACH window, assuming it is the motor and/or the regulator. My questions:
    - Are the motor/regulator seperate components or sold as a unit?
    - Does the $300-$400/window quote seem correct?

    Thanks to anyone who can help!
  • dgfitzdgfitz Member Posts: 1
    I have a 99 Maxima SE that we purchased new in December of 99. In late February, or maybe early March we noticed an odor in the car. When we turned on the heater, the odor intensified. I thought maybe it was a dead rodent that we picked up while our car was parked at the airport in Jan. My thought was that I could find the rodent, or the smell would go away. Unfortunately I wasn't focused on taking care of this because, well, it's my wife's care, so it didn't really bother me. Well in May the smell was nearly unbearable, so I took it to the dealership. They looked over the interior of the car to the tune of $350.00, and found nothing. They said that they found droppings, but no animals. I had heard that they're have been situations with cars where something is wrong with the air conditioner, and results in a mild to severe stench. Upon hearing this, I tried the air conditioner only to find that it blew air, but not cold air. I took it back to the dealer. They fixed the blown seal as a warranty item and we were finished. Since having the air fixed, the smell has turned for the better, but is still not what it should be...not by a long shot. The dealership said that they would happily drop the entire dash to do a major inspection, but I consider it a last resort because they said it's a 2-day job.

    Does anyone have any insight they could share? I honestly don't believe this is a rodent issue.
  • thebluemaxthebluemax Member Posts: 1
    I have a 93 Max SE and just had my right cv shaft replace but still have a grinding noise like a cymbal when I turn right or drive straight. There is no noise when I turn left. Does anyone have a suggestion to the problem? Also I just rolled the odometer over 100,000 miles. What type of tune up or maintenance is done at 100k miles?
  • gercongercon Member Posts: 1
    I am looking at buying a 1991 Maxima with 195000
    m. for 7000 can$. Is that a decent price, or is it too expensive? Is a Maxima with 195000 am still worth buying, or will problems appear pretty soon? Does anyone have a 1991 Maxima with that many am, and if so, have there been any problems which should prevent me from buying this car?
    Also is there an after market product available to make this car (automatic) towable with all 4 wheels on the ground?
  • ccermakccermak Member Posts: 260
    Turned out to be two things. The door, which had more of a rattle, and something they called a "sill" plate. Not sure what that is. Sounded like it wasn't welded right or something. Anyway, problem seems to be fixed, or at least tolerable. Way less frustrated now. Maybe time for some mods.

    Seeya
  • mrdetailermrdetailer Member Posts: 1,118
    I.e. some records showing maintenence and repairs. If well maintained it may be good. If they can't prove anything then you will have to get a very thorough mechanical check by a NISSAN specialist. However, with that many miles I would pay particular attention to steering components, idler arm, CV joints and axels, wheel bearings, ball joints, and struts. These items are routinely neglected.

    With a car that old, According to click and clack (cartalk.cars.com) you should expect to put in about 1500 USD when you buy an older used car.
  • ficklefickle Member Posts: 98
    I have a 93 SE. I've had two window regulators replaced. I don't know if they are separate components or not but the price is what I paid. My sister has a 92 and she's had to change one of her windows also.
  • guraubguraub Member Posts: 1
    I am about to buy a used Maxima (110K miles) and the price that I am asked for is 8000 SD. The car looks in excellent condition, I drove it and appears to be flawless. I am not sure how much longer the car would last. I am planning to go over 200K miles with it. Are there known problems with Maximas over 100K? Please advise.
  • scoop94230scoop94230 Member Posts: 1
    This message is for GAL, I have 2001 Nissan Maxima GEL, and I too seemed to be using up a lot of fuel. I was getting about 290 to 300 miles to the tank, which is far from what Nissan says I should be getting. After taking it to Nissan and being told that everything was fine, I started doing some homework on my own. I'm not sure if this will applies to you, but since I have automatic air I was always leaving it on, during startup and shutdown. I decided to start turning it off before I shutdown and turn it back on when I started up. It seems, that fixed the bad fuel economy that I was having, now I'm getting 350 miles to the tank.
  • fastnissan69fastnissan69 Member Posts: 6
    I have a 1990 maxima with 190.000 miles and no major problems looking to sell but has rebuilt title. any inquiries email jbuco@hotmail.com
  • aegus1aegus1 Member Posts: 29
    eduser1,

    My '94 SE did the window thing back around 90k. Once the first one went, it was a window a week until they all went. My dealership said it was the regulators. The price sounds a tad high, but definitely in the ballpark. And it happens just as you describe... what goes down just doesn't come back up. Haven't had anything major since (124k now).
  • allaharallahar Member Posts: 1
    I need some help with the pros and cons of buying a maxima,dose the transmission acts up? what is the major problems they have.I really need some input.If you want you can email me at allahar@hotmail.com, thank you.
  • tbyers1tbyers1 Member Posts: 1
    I recently purchased a 91 Maxima SE and only the back right speaker works, the other three have faint sound. I had the dealer check the speakers and quote me a replacement cost. I was told the speakers were fine, that the stereo was the problem. I do not have a CD in the car, I would like to replace the stereo with a CD stereo. I was told by Best Buys audio people that the amplifiers are probably the problem, they need new wiring, but the Maxima Bose system is very complicated. I would like to hear from you if you have found out anything. Thanks
  • tanselatansela Member Posts: 1
    If the window is not rolling at all then it's motor problem otherwise regulator. A regulator is about 30-40 bucks and installing it not very hard!
    But, of course it will take sometime. A Goodyear Gemini shop in Norcross,GA asked for 100$ for the labor while a no-name kinda store was estimating 400-500$. So, best price to install a regulator is 100$ for the labor.
  • rivers5rivers5 Member Posts: 4
  • rivers5rivers5 Member Posts: 4
    I have a 2001 Maxima that is 7 months old and there are little paint chips all over the car. At first, I thought it was a tree berry problem but that was not the case. Nissan is snubbing hteir nose at the whole thing saying it isn't a warranty issue. The new policy is if the dealer thinks it should be covered, they will. If not they won't. They won't even send a rep out anymore to look at it. If anyone else has these problems please send an e-mail to Casinos13@yahoo.com..Thanks
  • acuranissanacuranissan Member Posts: 2
    i'm thinking about buying a 1996 maxima GXE with 135,000 miles on it. they are selling it for $7,774 i am planning to put at least 200,000 miles on it. it is in great shape, but should i buy it please someone give me the advice.-thanks
  • aongchaongch Member Posts: 6
    I believe the paint/clear coat is weak on these latest gen. This will definitely be a dealer request to look at and/or fix. I picked up a small nick on the center of my rear bumper (Super Black SE) and decided to use wax to buff it off. This is just carnauba wax. Seems that the clear coat has become dull after the buffing, and I was not able to get the original sheen. Noticeable when shining light on the area. Anyone with a similar experience? Is this only confined to the bumper area?

    Appreciate your inputs.
  • mrdetailermrdetailer Member Posts: 1,118
    With a car of that age, the most important thing to find is the repairs and maintenence that was done on the vehicle. If it is an automatic, the transmission service intervals are critical. Some have had problems with the planetary gear in the tranny. What were the oil change intervals?

    I would also have a Nissan specialist take a special look at the shocks and steering components, as well as look for oil leaks. (gasket replacements) Plan on replacing some of them with the next 20 thousand miles.

    With that many miles I would plan on spending another 1500 to get the car up to snuff. I have done that twice now with two 7 year old cars that I have purchased. Purchasing an older car and maintaining it well will save you thousands of dollars over new ones.
  • mrdetailermrdetailer Member Posts: 1,118
    change the timing belt, cam and crankshaft seals, and water pump on a car that age. Don't get stranded.
  • spidermonkeyspidermonkey Member Posts: 30
    I'm pretty sure that Maxima's have a timing chain. Any mechanic that tells you that you need your "timing belt" replaced is ripping you off. (I'm 95% sure of this) Anyway, I've got a '93 SE that has had only a few minor problems. My Bose stereo occasionally cuts off, and the antenna mast has broken so that it no longer goes up and down. My brake rotors have warped, but the car is a '93 and it wasn't too expensive to fix. Other than that, I've been very pleased with this car. It's worlds better than my wife's '98 Saturn.
  • mrdetailermrdetailer Member Posts: 1,118
    But I've had timing chains break at about 130 miles. I change them out at 120,000 now.
  • kevin104kevin104 Member Posts: 1
    Air Bag - My local mechanic (who I completely trust) says the main computer code indicates that the air bag computer is defective. He strongly recommends going back to the dealer for the repair. He also indicated that he has recently seen 3 other instances of this same problem and the dealer fixed at least one of these at no charge. Any thoughts/recommendations/comments before I go? TIA

    Also - There is a loud squeak coming from somewhere in the front - sounds like metal-to-metal and that something large (like the entire front-end) is moving to cause this. It doesn't happen all of the time but is quite frequent. Any info is appreciate. TIA.
  • dp89jpdp89jp Member Posts: 8
    1991 Maxima GXE with 73,000 miles. Never needed air conditioning service before. It will be cooling just fine and suddenly starts blowing warm humid air. No pattern, very intermittent. Sometime later may or may not get cold again. Dealer could not duplicate. Any ideas?? Could expansion valve be freezing up?
    Thanks for any feedback.
    DP
  • adc100adc100 Member Posts: 1,521
    I own a Sentra, but in the process of locating a Pure One filter I noticed that all Nissan Products shifted to the very small filter for the year 2001. Maxima is one of those involved. All trucks and cars call for the L14610. Does anyone know why this was done? I suspece it was to consolidate inventory at the expense of better filtration. The 2000 and older Maxime call for the larger PL14620.

    Thanks0
  • jtrotterjtrotter Member Posts: 2
    I HAVE A 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH HOT & COLD STARTING PROBLEMS. SOMETIMES WHEN I GET IN IT 1ST THING IN THE MORNING IT WILL NOT START WILL CRANK BUT WILL NOT START BEGINNING THIS WEEK THE BATTERY WAS GOING DOWN WHILE CRANKING. I HAD THE BATTERY TESTED TONIGHT AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE.

    BEFORE I STARTED HAVING THIS PROBLEM I WAS HAVING HOT STARTING PROBLEMS. WHEN I WOULD TRY TO START THE CAR WITHIN 25 MINS OF SHUTTING IT OFF IT WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE COMPUTER TEST RAN AND THEY STATED IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CAM. THEY DID NOT CHARGE ME FOR THIS TEST BUT WANTED ME TO BRING THE CAR BACK. ON MY WAY HOME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE CAR QUIT HAVING PROBLEMS. THEN THIS WEEK STARTED THE NEW PROBLEM. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THE CAM LOOKED INTO AND I HAD THE FEELING THEY WERE WANTING TO MAKE SOME MAJOR BUCKS OFF ME.

    MY HUBBY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT NEW COMPUTERIZED CARS SO ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

    I LOVE MY MAXIMA BUT NEED IT TO BE DEPENDABLE....
  • yam1yam1 Member Posts: 3
    To the person with a bad clear coat on the rear bumper. Check the entire bumper for imperfections. You might find that the bumper has been re painted. I had a bad touch up paint job on my 2000 Maxima and when I bought the car I didn't notice it (black.)
    In the right sun I noticed it and the rough touch up job done by someone. I found paint over spray on the muffler too. The service warranty guy from Nissan said that maybe the car suffered damage from the docks to the dealership and a quick paint job was done to it. Well, good luck
  • yam1yam1 Member Posts: 3
    I own a 2000 Maxima SE w/5sp and have been running only super unleaded Chevron gas. Driving home from work one day I noticed that the "Check Engine Soon" lit up. The dealership said they found no problems , and reset the light. Well, yesterday with 23.000 miles the light lit up again! I'm going back to the dealership to see what is up. Has anyone had this happen to them before? Thanks
  • tgif888tgif888 Member Posts: 351
    Maybe is the O2 sensor?
  • yam1yam1 Member Posts: 3
    I went to the Nissan delearship and they reprogramed the ECU. After the first reset or reprogram Nissan introduced a new program a month after my service in March 2001. I wish that this knowledge is distributed, but I guess they wait for folks to have problems rather than send out a mailing. Anyway, all is good again.
  • umpopaumpopa Member Posts: 37
    yam1:
    I wasn't aware of a program introduced by Nissan about reprogramming the ECU, since I haven't been to the dealer at all sinece buying in March, 2001.

    What is the program about?
  • santaswifesantaswife Member Posts: 1
    I'm having troubles starting my 1989 Maxima, 150K miles. It will turn over but will not catch. Have tried the plugs and rotors and other easy things. When trying to crank, strong gas smell is present. Any suggestions?
  • obiwankenobi1obiwankenobi1 Member Posts: 290
    I just picked up my new 2002 Sterling Mist Maxima SE on Friday/ I already noticed swirl marks in the paint. I love the car, but this talk of paint problems has me concerned, I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens over the next year. I am kind of glad I got a light color. Plus, I do LOVE the Sterling Mist! :)

    Obi
  • aukaniaukani Member Posts: 1
    Hi Jennifer,
    I own a Nissan Maxima 97. I am having the same problems as you are could. The car dealers are giving me a run around telling me that they cannot fix the problem because the cannot replicate it. this is a farce. because they have had the car for the past month. they have performed numerous tests on it. They have also changed my starter. they said the battery is fine and the problem has yet to be fixed.........
    My car is still at my dealer.
    Please do not let them convince you that this is a problem with your starter. I am afraid that they do not want to diagnose the problem because they want me to cough up the big bucks. fortunately i have a 100K warranty on the car. so i am okay until then
  • chris4o1chris4o1 Member Posts: 9
    I've heard of many complaints in other forums about the poor paint job on the 2000+ maximas. Mostly people complain about the paint chipping on the hood and front bumper. i've yet to encounter this problem though. my car is a one week old 2001 SE, black\black cloth and loving it so far.
  • joan66joan66 Member Posts: 4
    As I mentioned before, my dealer (not Nissan) picked up the bill for my hood to be repainted on my 2000 Maxima (black). It has only been 4 weeks, (850 miles), and I already have two small paint chips. Much has been said about the clear coat as the problem, but I believe that the paint formula is to blame.
  • robertrrobertr Member Posts: 125
    I don't think the paint chips happen by themselves, I think a rock has to hit the paint to cause them. That said, I have had several 1/8" +/- paint chips on my front fenders and numerous more smaller chips on the hood, but these don't seem excessive. However, I think my 2000 Gray Lustre Maxima after 20,000+ miles seems to have more chipping than my 1997 Deep Evergreen Maxima had at 38,000 miles, so it seems that the paint may be more vulnerable to flying stones on the freeway. Also, the 1997 did not have the more noticeable 1/8" chips.
  • jaki30jaki30 Member Posts: 73
    Anyone have problems with warped brake rotors on 2000 GLE with
    15000 miles? The Nissan dealer is telling my sister they are not
    covered under warranty. Need advice please.
  • obiwankenobi1obiwankenobi1 Member Posts: 290
    It seems like all the problems have been on dark colored Maxima's.

    I will keep all informed if anything happens with my Sterling Mist 02.
  • 6head6head Member Posts: 10
    I am about to buy a 2002 Maxima SE (base w/ mats and mud guards). I want to see the Altima first but will likely pass on it. Tell me about the deal you made. How close to invoice did you get?
  • obiwankenobi1obiwankenobi1 Member Posts: 290
    You will have to do the math, but here it is:

    2002 Nissan Maxima SE (Auto):

    MSRP: $26,887
    MY PRICE: $24,947

    Only options were sunroof and floor mats.

    Hope I helped!

    Obi
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