Went through the FAQs and didn't find much about this.

Right now I have a 94 Acura Legend, and I really don't like the amount of attention it requires. They are very picky cars and repairs are usually very costly. For example, almost every 91+ Legend will blow a head gasket at some point in its life, which is a $1500 job at minimum. I am trying to avoid this type of thing in my next car. I really like the 4th gen Maxima, and I want a 99 GLE. I really want a car that I don't have to worry about all the time. What are the most common major repairs (i.e. major engine and transmission) on these cars?

Thanks.

 

In your case, 99's always have problems with coil packs

 

Knock sensor after 75k miles - 90 shipped
CV Joints - 100-500 with or w/o install
O2 sensors - 60-100

99s, like he said above, Coil probs

 

Those sound like small things compared to the Legend. What about the timing chain? I heard from a friend that some of them have tensioner problems?

 

Very few 95-96 had tensioner probs
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....t=timing+chain


Not common at all, i seen no more then 20 cases

 

Alternator

 

95-97 5speed manuals tend to develop a problem with internal tranny bearings esp the input shaft bearing. It's $30 for a new bearing but $500-$900 for labor. My 96 manual has this problem now at around 100k miles.
-Paul

 

cv boots and joints

 

Fuel Injectors and Coilpacks seem to be common.

-Nick

 

oh yea tell me about it manual tranny problems!!!! nothing but

 

D@MN COILS!!!! URGH!!! I HATE THEM!!!

ok, now that i have that off my chest...

yeah, everything they have said... i just put a new tranny in on my car, and it only has 90k miles on it, and i drive normaly for the most part...

-Chris

 

The timing chain on our cars dont need maintainance or replacing. If you read in the FAQ's it states that the VQ30DE uses a dual stage timing chain that is built to last the life of the engine.

 

Not mine

 

colin are you on the acura-legend.com website?
yea coil are horrible for the 99
fuel injector
tranny

 

hmmm... fuel injectors are the most expensive thing that i've had lots of problems with, but then i suspect that the cause is that my dad drove the car with 87 octane fuel in the tank for 6 years before he gave me the car
other than that the only other problem that others haven't mentioned is the Oil Sending Switch. that thing's been replaced like 6 times while my dad had it all during a 2 year span. i suspect the shop was at fault there... they really sucked!
hmmm, never had any problems with the coils... must be a 99 thing
BTw my car has about 120k miles on it

 

Knock sensor after 75k miles - 90 shipped
CV Joints
O2 sensors
Coils
internal tranny bearings

While we're at it, if these are the m/c problems, what are the main diagnostic signs that these are on their way out? Are they things that should be replaced early to avoid a breakdown, or do we wait for our car to go out first? I've got a 96 with 102K, no problems.

 

This should be added to the sticky... would be great for new users to come here and right away be able to know some common problems with the maxima.

 

had my #2 injector fail on me with 95k miles on the odometer. oh and my O2 sensor is busted.

 

Mine has 80,000 miles (1997 GLE) and has had the following problems:

Alternator (covered under a recall)

Knock sensor

Rear calipers (emergency brake is installed on the caliper itself - if not used - will eventually seize)

CV Boots (just finished replacing the second one that ripped)

Another than that, this car is deluxe and by far the best car I have ever owned.

 

rear brake problem and alternator is all i have come across at 86k

 

how much did you spend on fixing the coil problems? i also have a '99 and i am concerned.

 

For the manuals, what are the symptoms that you need to replace the internal tranny bearings?

 

Basically there are very few "expensive problems".
the most expensive problem I may be dealing with now is the tranny. However, I'll note that I have have had plenty of trouble free miles. my car has 228k on it now.

Basic problems are listed above, but i'll repeat the most common:

02 sensors
knock sensor
cv joints
exhaust (at 200k)
clutch after 100k
alternator
starter
battery
all window motor and regulators (on high milage cars)

There are not too many "major" items with the 4th gen max. Generally an excellent and very reliable car

 

I think you could list those for just about every make and model out there. The battery is a maintenance item. You should probably replace it every few years, before it leaves you stranded. I changed mine as part of my 60k maintenance.

As for the coils. I've got 68k on my 99 and havent had a lick of trouble with them (knock on wood) YMMV of course.

 

Leaking seals, metal shavings in transmission fluid, play in the CV axle where it enters the transmission, grinding/whining noises when the car is in motion
-Paul

 

For the manuals, what are the symptoms that you need to replace the internal tranny bearings?



mine was sneaky, Once day when painting my calipers, i said hmm my cv-boot is busted. The next day on the way to Advanced Auto to get a new boot, i hear something up in my wheel well, like i hit something plastic. I stop and check, and its nothing, I notice the sound only when the clutch is released. The the way home, my car starts smoking... I look and the tranny fluid is everywhere, i drive it home. I call my mechanic friend he tows it and 2 months later, im out 1000 bucks. But yea.... its worth it, cause its a sexy fast 5-spd maxima

 

Thank you for all your replies. Just sounds like they have normal wear/tear problems. So if I got a 98 I would not have to worry about ignition coil packs?

I would definitely be getting an automatic transmission. I've noticed in a few posts on the board that some folks have had them fail between 80k and 100k or so. I'll have to keep an eye on the shifting when I test drive them.

Sounds like a great car. I actually drove one for a short period a few years ago and was really impressed with the throttle response, steering response, and overall quietness of the ride and I'm looking forward to getting one.

 

My 98 had this prob.

 

Colin, my brrother has a 91 acura legend just like you. HIs car has been in the shop more times than snoop dog can get hos. HIs car is in fair condition compared to my maxima. The sad thing is that I bought the maxima with less miles than his legend and now I have more miles. But my car runs better at 130k than his ever ran before. Plus I know what kind of shiit you are going through. My brother is split in between keeping it and selling it. I say just get the maxima, it's more affortable in the long run and more reliable as well. Take this from a owner that has seen both cars in action for a long while.

 

I hate seeing that lil light pop up... gets me all nervous...

problems i've had:
alternator
starter
shocks
battery
knock sensor
cv something
and 1 other thing... all these things hit me at the same time, but after reading through this forum, i realized that most of it is normal... i was about to sell my max thinkin that it was a piece of crap... hoping nothign else goes wrong...

 

I had probs with coil pack also. I would suggest getting a a good mechanic to fix those when they go bad. Luckily my dad is a mechanic and we fixed it. He has a discount at dealer and each one cost me 60. Reg price is like 80 a piece. Plus the labor is ridiculous. Car is pretty maintenance free. I just got 72k on mine, and I love it.

All worth it though, I feel Thunder is worth it. Maximas have a timeless style that not many cars keep. You will be proud of it. And glad you are out of the Legend.

 

oh yeah, i did have all the window mechanisms fail at one point or another. the mechanism is such a POS. i also had the power antenna break, and the motor mounts have been replaced twice now... and the battery blew up once (released hydrogen into the engine compartment which ignited once the car was being started), it tore the liner on the bottom of the hood to shreds but caused no other damage. it was one of the loudest things i've ever heard, and it scared the $h!t out of me... but then the battery wan not a problem with the "car" itself.

 

I bought my 98 auto with 60,000 miles. It now has just over 160,000. The issues I've had so far:

1. Had to get the injectors and throttle body cleaned (fixed problem with sticky throttle and dying a couple times before starting from cold)

2. EVAP canister vent valve - not critical to running, but it sets off the check engine light. $30.

3. Two of the clips that hold my cupholder in have been lost, so it's not in as securely as it could be.


I'd say that's not bad over 100,000 miles of driving. Mine is an auto, and I generally don't drive it hard.