I need to replace the mass airflow sensor on my 2002 maxima.

Before I buy a brand new one I have a few questions.

Are the sensors interchangeable on different year models? For example can I get one off of a 2004 model?

What is the best brand? In other words what is the oem brand?

And where is the best place to buy a brand new one?

TIA

 

Amazon is your best friend when you need cheap car parts. I personally used the SCITOO Mass Air Flow Sensor. It even comes with sensor housing. It is only $22. I have mine in my 03 i35 for over a year and no issues.

 

I bought this one: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Ok thanks. Just to make sure though, I found the skitoo maf on amazon that you’re talking about but it says it only fits 2003. I would imagine it would still work in my 2002 since they’re the same car right?

 

Just to be safe, you should enter your vehicle model and year into amazon and check fit. They are usually quite accurate. If it does not fir your maxima, I would look for another cheap one on amazon. I know there are mentions of issues with non OEM MAF, but my car is old and I did not want to spend a lot of money to keep it going. Since the MAF sensor is easy to replace, I am OK with it even if it is true that generic ones don't last as long as OEM's.

 

Gotcha thanks. I bought a cheap one off ebay and it literally didn’t even work lol

 

That is why most of us by OEM sensors, like Hitachi. The cheap ones are finicky and unpredictable.

 

I agree. Non OEM is a hit and miss. Whether or not you want a cheap non OEM depends on your own situation. I do not intend to keep my car much longer. So I went the cheap route. I also use the reviews as a rough guide to probability of success. Mine MAF sensor is now 3 years old and over 30,000 miles. It works. At 1/5 of the cost of OEM, it was worth the risk. Even if it fails soon, I can get another one and I am still ahead financially. Since the sensor can be replaced in a couple of minute with a couple of screws, it is worth it for me. But if the part requires ripping the car apart and hours of labor, I definitely would not have gone the non OEM route.