I have a '97 Maxima SE with an Auto Transmission. The car has about 75,000 miles on it. The transmission works fine, but sometimes it shifts a little strange. Especially at low speeds or when going up steep hills. It seems to hang in 2nd gear too long before downshifting into 1st again. The auto transmission also seems to slip a lot more than when the car was new. I haven't really driven it hard or anything. It received new fluid and filter at about 47,000miles.

My question: I like my Maxima and I would like to keep it a while, but I'm wondering if anyone has had trouble with '97 auto transmissions as the car gets into the 100,000+ range. The engine definitely feels as powerful as when the car was new, but the transmission definitely doesn't. Has anyone had to replace the 4th Gen auto transmission before 100k miles? Or do the transmissions last the life of the vehicle?

I'm asking because my last vehicle (1993 Mazda 626 ES V6) went through three transmissions before it hit 90,000 miles. This vehicle was a total piece of s**t. In comparison to the Mazda, the Maxima has been a joy to own.

 

97's had Automatic Transmission Wear problems...

http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/u...fm/id/2214.htm

 

I don't have a 97 but my 95 auto has 188,000 miles with the original tranny. I have no problems with it.

 

The auto tranny in the 4th gen generally is not known for long life. From the time it takes to shift, to the lackluster perfomance it provides, many have experienced transmission failures. Mine went out at 61k, but I still had a warranty so I was covered. I recently changed my new tranny out for a 5spd, so I wouldn't have to deal with it anymore. Some things you can do to increase the life of your tranny are add a tranny cooler, and modify your valve body. Generally, the tranny does not want to shift back down to 1st gear, even in a new maxima, unless you floor it, that's the tranny ECU, not the mechanics of the tranny itself...