5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

10 things I hate about my 5th gen

Old 04-16-2016, 07:20 PM
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10 things I hate about my 5th gen

This is a common subject discussed in automotive related videos on YouTube and I think it would be fun to see what issues you have with your 5th gen, I'll start.




1. It's an automatic.
2. My brake rotors are warped and cause steering wheel vibration during high speed braking.
3. My 5th gen is a California compliant car.
4. My hood latch is a little lose and I can see movement at highway speeds with a head wind.
5. The steering wheel is not perfectly aligned with the wheels.
6. The steering wheel is too large.
7. My car stereo will, on occasion, switch from fm to am for no apparent reason.
8. I have only averaged 17mpg combined.
9. The rubber gasket, for lack of a better term, around my gear selector has lifted up at one corner.
10. There is a small chip in my windshield directly in front of the drivers seat, visible only after detailing the windshield.
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Old 04-16-2016, 07:44 PM
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Reccomendations: 6th gen bbk, new hood stops, new maf, new radio (stock is rubbish)

Me? Rear rust, beam rear end, picky on CVs
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Old 04-16-2016, 07:49 PM
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Many things can cause poor mileage on an older car. Start with proper tire pressure, new air filter, tune up and some fuel cleaner like Techron.

As far as the other stuff -- Replace the windshield, brakes, get an alignment.
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Old 04-16-2016, 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Child_uv_KoRn
Reccomendations: 6th gen bbk, new hood stops, new maf, new radio (stock is rubbish)

Me? Rear rust, beam rear end, picky on CVs

I'm having difficulty findings hood stops, do you have a link? What should I expect from a new maf, assume I know nothing.
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Old 04-16-2016, 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by mclasser
Many things can cause poor mileage on an older car. Start with proper tire pressure, new air filter, tune up and some fuel cleaner like Techron.

As far as the other stuff -- Replace the windshield, brakes, get an alignment.
How much fuel cleaner should I use to expect a noticeable improvement in fuel economy?
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Old 04-16-2016, 08:25 PM
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in no particular order to try and get this thread back on track

1. driver seat is ripped
2. 4x4 mode
3. not a 5.5
4. seatbelt dirty af
5. going to need tires soon
6. dents/dings/scrapes/
7. shifter trim/other plastics are all wonky/goo'd up
8. maximas are boats
9. dat stock stereo
10. dat stock everything
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Old 04-16-2016, 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by rvamax
I'm having difficulty findings hood stops, do you have a link? What should I expect from a new maf, assume I know nothing.
http://charlottenissanparts.com/niss...partcode=62840

i have a similar hood vibration so i'm ordering 2 of these. i'll let you know if it works out.
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Old 04-16-2016, 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by cornholio
http://charlottenissanparts.com/niss...partcode=62840

i have a similar hood vibration so i'm ordering 2 of these. i'll let you know if it works out.
slightly cheaper if yo ufind them on nissanpartsasap.com
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Old 04-16-2016, 09:21 PM
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rear calipers
knotchy MT
solid rear beam
cv boot woes
turn radius
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Old 04-16-2016, 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by george__
rear calipers
knotchy MT
solid rear beam
cv boot woes
turn radius
tendency to rear-end people?
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Old 04-16-2016, 09:47 PM
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1. REAR CALIPERS
2. REAR CALIPERS
3. REAR CALIPERS
4. Turn Radius a bit
Can't think of anything else so
Rear calipers 5-10.
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Old 04-16-2016, 10:08 PM
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Originally Posted by rvamax
How much fuel cleaner should I use to expect a noticeable improvement in fuel economy?
I'd start from one bottle and see how that goes.
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Old 04-16-2016, 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Itz Shak
1. REAR CALIPERS
2. REAR CALIPERS
3. REAR CALIPERS
4. Turn Radius a bit
Can't think of anything else so
Rear calipers 5-10.
This x1000
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Old 04-17-2016, 01:21 AM
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Never knew people still had so many problems with their rear calipers.
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Old 04-17-2016, 01:54 AM
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Originally Posted by rvamax
I'm having difficulty findings hood stops, do you have a link? What should I expect from a new maf, assume I know nothing.
I believe this is the part number 6582950A00. Good luck, they're $10 each from what I've found before

MAF or primary O2 sensor would be the most likely cause of poor fuel economy. When the mafs go bad they tend to read as if there's a lot more air and the ECU consequently dumps more fuel. You should see like 17 city in bad conditions, definitely not combined.

Originally Posted by cornholio
tendency to rear-end people?
Savage

Last edited by Child_uv_KoRn; 04-17-2016 at 01:56 AM.
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Old 04-17-2016, 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by rvamax
This is a common subject discussed in automotive related videos on YouTube and I think it would be fun to see what issues you have with your 5th gen, I'll start.




1. It's an automatic. - should have bought a manual

2. My brake rotors are warped and cause steering wheel vibration during high speed braking. - go get them fixed


3. My 5th gen is a California compliant car. - suck it Cali!

4. My hood latch is a little lose and I can see movement at highway speeds with a head wind. - adjust the rubber bumpers

5. The steering wheel is not perfectly aligned with the wheels. - get an alignment

6. The steering wheel is too large. - most women find this a plus

7. My car stereo will, on occasion, switch from fm to am for no apparent reason.- conduct a seance

8. I have only averaged 17mpg combined. - driver slower lead foot

9. The rubber gasket, for lack of a better term, around my gear selector has lifted up at one corner. - i have a manual so IDK

10. There is a small chip in my windshield directly in front of the drivers seat, visible only after detailing the windshield. - get that fixed at any auto parts store
Not mentioning-

11. Steering radius

12. Oil burning
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Old 04-17-2016, 10:08 AM
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This is for my 02

1. Oil burning
2. Turn radius compared to my 00
3. Still have pre cats
4. both fog lights are cracked
5. I don't have a OEM wing
6. my hood bumpers are non existent
7. Autotragic
8. Stock BOSE isn't loud enough
9. Solid rear axle
10. Did i mention i still have pre cats?
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Old 04-17-2016, 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by cornholio
tendency to rear-end people?
Gen 5.5 needs better brake pedals

It's tooo linear
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Old 04-17-2016, 12:21 PM
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Rear calipers are a pain.
RUST RUST RUST- Rear fenders and lower radiator mount
Otherwise pretty happy. If you're trying to make this a sports car you will be dissapointed.
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Old 04-17-2016, 07:22 PM
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Originally Posted by rbaksi
Rear calipers are a pain.
RUST RUST RUST- Rear fenders and lower radiator mount
Otherwise pretty happy. If you're trying to make this a sports car you will be dissapointed.
I agree with the rear calipers pain... after rebuilding mine and only lasting about 15,000K I end up replacing those with the rebuild units from the parts store... well worth the lifetime warranty and not having to deal with repairing those ever again. Rust... sure I fixed the rear fenders about 4 years go and everything looked great now its back to where it started. Lower radiator support is not that big of deal... May be because I replaced it twice.. once on my 2000 and once my 20th? you are correct... the A33 will never be a sports car but the look on some sports car owners face after they have a really hard time keeping up with my quarter of a million mile 4 door grocery getter - priceless
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Old 04-17-2016, 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted by L_U_D_I_AMaxima
I agree with the rear calipers pain... after rebuilding mine and only lasting about 15,000K I end up replacing those with the rebuild units from the parts store... well worth the lifetime warranty and not having to deal with repairing those ever again. Rust... sure I fixed the rear fenders about 4 years go and everything looked great now its back to where it started. Lower radiator support is not that big of deal... May be because I replaced it twice.. once on my 2000 and once my 20th? you are correct... the A33 will never be a sports car but the look on some sports car owners face after they have a really hard time keeping up with my quarter of a million mile 4 door grocery getter - priceless
No one tries to race me. A couple hondas have attempted ricer fly bys (just sad), but muscle cars ignore me. I think they're scared b/c they don't know what to make of the exhaust LOL
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Old 04-17-2016, 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Child_uv_KoRn
No one tries to race me. A couple hondas have attempted ricer fly bys (just sad), but muscle cars ignore me. I think they're scared b/c they don't know what to make of the exhaust LOL
the vq35de with exhaust?
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Old 04-17-2016, 09:07 PM
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1. driver seat leather is ripped on side by switches so can see when door is open
2. up volume on steering wheel changes radio station
3. gas mileage rarely gets above 22
4. rust
5. rust
6. rust
7. rust
8. rust
9. rust
10. rust

that said I love my max
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Old 04-18-2016, 07:03 AM
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It really is a love / hate situation with these friggin' cars.

1. Rust
2. Shifter is vague and feels cheap
3. Engine is a ticking time bomb (this covers disintegrating converters, bad piston rings and oil burning)
4. Turning circle
5. Rattle under dash that I CAN NOT FIND
6. Subwoofer rattles the interior
7.Creaking clutch pedal / clutch fork / TO bearing
8. Rear Calipers
9 Core support
10. Constantly chasing clunks, bangs and rattles in suspension

We can only post 10?

**** ... why is it we like these cars again?
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Old 04-18-2016, 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Blassmasta
It really is a love / hate situation with these friggin' cars.

1. Rust
2. Shifter is vague and feels cheap
3. Engine is a ticking time bomb (this covers disintegrating converters, bad piston rings and oil burning)
4. Turning circle
5. Rattle under dash that I CAN NOT FIND
6. Subwoofer rattles the interior
7.Creaking clutch pedal / clutch fork / TO bearing
8. Rear Calipers
9 Core support
10. Constantly chasing clunks, bangs and rattles in suspension

We can only post 10?

**** ... why is it we like these cars again?
Compared to the competition in those same years these are a great bang for the buck and last a while. They can still be had for cheap aswell (got mine for 500). The same years Acura's where great, if you didn't have an automatic. Those things were literaly made of glass and fluids. God I hated mine.
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Old 04-18-2016, 02:08 PM
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1. Torn interior
2. Lower Rust Support
3. Wheel bearings( I hate press style)
4. Bose speakers
5. Loose e-brake

All I can think of, I haven't driven the car much yet.
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Old 04-18-2016, 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by MadMax SE
Compared to the competition in those same years these are a great bang for the buck and last a while. They can still be had for cheap aswell (got mine for 500). The same years Acura's where great, if you didn't have an automatic. Those things were literaly made of glass and fluids. God I hated mine.
I've heard about that. What is it that actually caused them to fail?

With the Maxima ... Big horsepower, GREAT looks and a six speed gearbox. Hell, lots of room too. I had a '99 - it was bulletproof. That's why the '03 pisses me off. I was hoping for the same but with more power and an extra gear. Which I got, minus the reliability.
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Old 04-18-2016, 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Blassmasta
I've heard about that. What is it that actually caused them to fail?

With the Maxima ... Big horsepower, GREAT looks and a six speed gearbox. Hell, lots of room too. I had a '99 - it was bulletproof. That's why the '03 pisses me off. I was hoping for the same but with more power and an extra gear. Which I got, minus the reliability.
Honda didn't think it was prudent to spray fluid on the gears or have a torque converter worth a crap. If you drove them hard they would just blow up quickly. Quite a few were on their 3rd tranny by 50k miles. Driven normally they might last to 100k lol

Last edited by Child_uv_KoRn; 04-18-2016 at 02:27 PM.
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Old 04-18-2016, 04:03 PM
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What is it that is wrong with the rear calipers on these cars?
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Old 04-18-2016, 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Blassmasta
I've heard about that. What is it that actually caused them to fail?

With the Maxima ... Big horsepower, GREAT looks and a six speed gearbox. Hell, lots of room too. I had a '99 - it was bulletproof. That's why the '03 pisses me off. I was hoping for the same but with more power and an extra gear. Which I got, minus the reliability.
Child is right, there were people on there third tranny by 100k and even then they aren't safe. They re-used the case design from the 4speed they made previously AND added .2 liters to the motor expecting it to hold.....even the 4 speed autos had issues in their time. My Acura was poping into neutral while driving and shuddering under light throttle, it felt like I was going over rocks at 60. But on the bright side, they had great gas mileage (30+) and the motors lasted a long time.
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Old 04-18-2016, 04:33 PM
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Originally Posted by AT978
What is it that is wrong with the rear calipers on these cars?
From what I read they love to stick closed sometimes, and I would feel as if the ebrake was left on.
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Old 04-19-2016, 07:41 AM
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Those rear calipers like to freeze up making you spend an entire weekend trying to trouble shoot just for them to stop sticking on their own ))))
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Old 04-19-2016, 08:40 AM
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171k miles and only replaced 1 rear VC, 1 MAF, 1 coil pack, 1 Bose stereo.

This thing has been a gem.
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Old 04-19-2016, 02:48 PM
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1. Rear quarter panel rust-brutal, getting body work soon
2. Radio-volume **** sometimes doesn't work, randomly swithces chanels and from fm to am or vice versa
3. Ride height-easy fix
4. FWD
5. Driver's seat has rips
6. Brakes-new ones going on soon
7. Odd suspension noises-come and go
8. Gas tank door and trunk will not open from the lever-trunk will only open by key and gas door needs one person pulling latch and another person applying pressure to gas door. Can't get gas alone which sucks!
9. Gas mileage could be better
10. Car is large but that doesn't really matter to me

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Old 04-19-2016, 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by NmexMAX
171k miles and only replaced 1 rear VC, 1 MAF, 1 coil pack, 1 Bose stereo.

This thing has been a gem.
I hate you and your moisture deprived place.

We had 61" last year and it didn't even rain for half of summer. I love storms and snow, but it's terrible for ****ty metal.




Last edited by Child_uv_KoRn; 04-19-2016 at 02:57 PM.
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Old 04-20-2016, 06:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Child_uv_KoRn
I hate you and your moisture deprived place.

We had 61" last year and it didn't even rain for half of summer. I love storms and snow, but it's terrible for ****ty metal.



Lol this was Monday morning here:
https://maxima.org/forums/off-topic/...ml#post9106105

Average for here is 57.7" per winter.



Last edited by NmexMAX; 04-20-2016 at 07:21 AM.
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Old 04-20-2016, 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by NmexMAX
Lol this was Monday morning here:
https://maxima.org/forums/off-topic/...ml#post9106105

Average for here is 57.7" per winter.


But does the DOT in New Mexico use salt on the roads?
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Old 04-20-2016, 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Blassmasta
I've heard about that. What is it that actually caused them to fail?
Just a garbage design overall. When my Accord's tranny went, the car shuddered violently shifting from 1st to 2nd. The shop let me watch when they tore it apart and the clutch packs were burnt to hell. Even with regular fluid changes, those things were destined to fail. It's funny because Honda made solid transmissions up until the mid-90s. They had firmer shifts which customers complained about so Honda redesigned them to shift more softly. That's when all the problems began.

Last edited by mclasser; 04-20-2016 at 11:23 AM.
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Old 04-20-2016, 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by mclasser
But does the DOT in New Mexico use salt on the roads?
Yes they do. My car looks like it escaped from a saltwater bath after it snows. Salt and cinder is what they use.
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Old 04-20-2016, 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by NmexMAX
Lol this was Monday morning here:
https://maxima.org/forums/off-topic/...ml#post9106105

Average for here is 57.7" per winter.
Are you a lot higher up than Santa Fe? They don't get much rain or snow, especially with the drought.

We don't get much snow, either (17" avg), but we sure as hell get a lot of rain. But these IDIOTS spray brine everywhere even when it's not going to snow. They do it just for fun to waste money, apparently (seriously, we didn't get a flake and/or air/ground temps were way above freezing and they just spray it on like a road bukkake). To top it off, they'll do it 3-4 days ahead (impossible to predict snow at that range here), so even if it snows, it just blows away and they bukkake it some more.

Last edited by Child_uv_KoRn; 04-20-2016 at 01:14 PM.
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