I'm looking at buying a '95 or '96 Maxima and was wondering if there were any problem areas in these cars that I should be on the lookout for. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

 

be carefull because they have a very weak front end, and if you have accident they crack up so easily when accident is 5-10mph thats what happened to my friends 1996 max

 

Hey,

I don't claim to be a Maxima history buff but I think a few things to check out are:

The rear doors...my experience has been that they have had a bad reputation for getting really rough when opening and closing - it feels and sounds like they're grinding.

Timing Chain/Belt - maybe someone else can verify this but the 3rd Generations had timing belt issues sometimes so they changed the 4th generations to a timing chain which has to be checked/replaced at 80K...again...I THINK...

If it has a sunroof check the motor as I've seen a few give out pretty suddenly.

And the final thing that I have never heard anyone else complain of, but have witnessed with three seperate maximas is the fuel injectors getting clogged fairly early in the life...I have only used premium on my 96SE and have had no problems but I've only owned it for about a year...


Anyway...if someone more knowledgable would tell me I'm wrong or verify some of this I would appreciate it. Hopefully these are some starting items. All in all it's pretty damn hard to go wrong with the Max, though...

Welcome aboard,

IndyMax77

 

Oxygen Sensors on '95 and '96.
Starter motors on '95.

 

He is right. The starters for 95's could be better. But, I have a 95, my sister has a 95. 55k miles for me, 158k miles on hers. Both are running great. Mine has had 0 problems so far.

BTW, the 95's are also the quickest maxima's. (Besides the new 2002's)

 

That's about it.

 

There was something a while back about a spring in the hinge/connection of the back door that may need to be replaced if your door feels rough or "grinding".
One of my rear doors felt that way and I just used WD-40 on the hinge and the sliding metal part; no more problems. So I would assume sometimes it just needs a little lube. If not, then just a small part replaced.

As for the sunroof, it seems more like the belts or rails of the roof going off track more than the motors failing.

 

Don't need to get the timing chain replaced, its on for the life of the engine.

 

As for any car get a history report. As for the max its a great car. I had a 95 and the only problem was a sensor which the dealer replace at no charge. so good luck.

 

was there different starters for different years 95-99? just wondering.

 

my starter in my 95 is original and has 91K on it, the front bumper is weak, i have a front bumper conversion, my 95-96 did $1500 worth of damage at 5mph, my 97-99 was in one this week at 5 mph, (i got backed into) and all i got was a small scratch

 

Common problem with leaky ones.

 

I have 100k on my 95 SE. 02 Sensor had to be replaced at 34k; starter motor went at 75k; rear passenger power window regulator went at 90k; front strut bushings at 93k. The sunroof glass began to sag, but a Custom Van shop put shims in it for $25 to restore it to its flush height. Timing chain is still original. (I'm told it is designed to last forever.) These cars require nothing more than routine, preventative maintenance. (oil and fuel filters, sparkplugs, radiator hoses) and the usual wear items (battery, tires, brake pads, cv boots, rotor resurfacing, accessory belts) Consumer Reports indicates the 95-96 Maxima is one of the most reliable, used cars.

If you were to drive my car, you'd think it drove like it had 30k on it. I've always gotton rid of cars at or near 100k. I intend to keep this car until the frame rots.

Find a used GXE (least expensive), put leather seats in it($800), add 16" or 17" rims and tires ($800), aftermarket springs and struts ($500), strut tower brace, ($100) rear sway bar ($150) and K&N air intake ($150), urethene bushings ($20) and you'll have a long-term, trouble-free car for $7,500- $8,500.

But be aware, the lighting on the car is one of its deficiencies. There's not much you can do to really improve the lighting other than add a wiring harness ($50) and higher wattage bulbs ($35-70) Even then, this won't improve what is a widely recognized weakness of the car. Try and drive one at night, so you won't be suprised. Good luck!

 

Maxima81 & Slim, thanks for the clarification...like I said - not a real professional, just trying to help. Much appreciated...I still have my original starter and O2 sensor (knock on wood!) but all the other stuff is weirding out on me...

Thanks again,

IndyMax77

 

i have a 96SE, only problem i had with the car was the stupid factory battery which used ionized water and had to be refilled very often. they just die on you without warning.

 

I would make sure when you test drive that the Odometer and Trip computer are working after you reset the trip computer, and the Miles on the car make sense compared to the title. My 96 max Odometer has been stuck on the same mile for the last 6 months.

 

The starters on there the 95 max's will go out depending how you drive. We got 100K on the odo before ours finally fried. $200 bucks.
Also the O2 sensors go off. Learn how to reset the ecu with a flathead screwdriver and save yourself the $200 clams the dealer will charge.
The back rear door needed some grease so it didn't squeak.
Get yourself a FSTB -about $50 and greatly improve the feel of an already superb car. Go buck wild and get the rear sway bar too. You will not regret it.
Consumer reports has the reliability rating at the top of the list for the the 95 and on models. These are solid, albiet fun, cars to own.
I bought two.

 

Ah...not quite[/I] true.. it is true they are designed to last as long as the engine does..however there is a slight problem with some 95' (and maybe 96) models, INCLUDING MINE (darn it), that may allow the chain to slip. The timing chain tensioner doesn't seem to work correctly when the engine is cold (mostly cold as in winter cold for me).

both my (1995) rear window regulators went out in a 6 month span at around 65k miles...i fixed them (a 'fancy' jerry-rig) to keep from spending $200 on each to replace. Both rear doors make the grinding sound, but lube didn't help.

 

The bearings on the input shaft seem to be a weak point on the 5 speeds... I just had mine replaced, I know of a website (www.motorvate.ca) where the guy had to replace his 3 times, and Brian from Chicago has his going out we think... who knows how many other people have had to replace this bearing. It's not cheap. Well the bearing is cheap, $31.42, but the labor for mine was $600.