I'm in the market for a used gen 4. What are the common problems I can expect to have and what should I be on the look out for when looking at used Maximas?

 

Well, you will wanna make sure the alternator recall is done to the 4th gen. What happened was the alternator wasn't built properly for the 4th gen, and those have been known to catch on fire (as far as I know). Other than that, I can't really think of anything else...

 

how do you know if the alternator was done

 

If its a 5speed, a comman problem was differential bearings going bad inside of the tranny cause a leak out the drivers side axle...Look at the previos repair records and see if the axle seal was replaced at all under warentee (usually nissan wont rebuild the tranny, they will just keep doing the seals, until your out of warentee then hit ya with a tranny rebuild)

-matt

 

what kind of mileage are you looking at here?

I've had my maxima for 135k miles and didn't have any problems.

 

is it all 4 gen max include '97?

 

Was that a sentance?

I'm pretty sure the recall was just some 97's. Your dealer or Corporate Nissan can tell you if you need the recall by your VIN.

Common problems? I have yet to have a single problem between the two maxima's that I've owned (97 GXE and a 99 SE). I drive 'em hard, race 'em, etc, no problems.

 

It is a 95 GLE auto with approx 100k. If the alt. problem was a recall the dealer has to fix it for free right? Thanks for the help so far.

 

Correct.

However, because its a 95 auto, neither the alternator or transmission bearing problems would apply to it.

 

The only common problems Ive seen on my 95, my mom's 96, and my neighbor's 96, is that the pump for the windshield wiper fluid went out on all of the cars. Other than that, the only thing Ive had to replace was my power steering pump.

Check for leakage around the PSP. If you can see / feel the fluid leaking out, you will prolly have to replace it eventually. I drove with a leak in mine for a long time, but eventually you will lose the fluid and lose your power steering.

 

Not sure if the signature function is working, but if it is, you can read all the parts I have replaced. The major problems on 4th gens would be alternator (there was a recall) and there is a starter problem as well (i predict nissan will issue a recall).

Other than that, the car is pretty much bullet proof.

 

Actualy looking at the eric L.'s sig I had pretty similar parts replaced on my '97 (at the heigher milage though):

Oil pressure sending unit
HVAC blower unit
LH bank O2 sensor and afterCAT o2 sensor as well
starter
antena mast

so I am not sure if these are common repairs, but I was just suprised at similarity

 

even some '98s up to March '98 (approx.) were affected by the recall, the alternator on my former '98 SE was replaced by the recall since it was manufactured on Jan. '98

 

99's have been known to have faultier ignition coils, but i have 61k on mine and they're ok. otherwise it is a beutiful car! i know i love mine!