RoadVitals

1994 Nissan Maxima Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
89
Latest Feb 7, 2013
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
16
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 Nissan Maxima, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine1816.1%
  • Visibility1816.1%
  • Airbags65.4%
  • Body & structure65.4%
  • Brakes54.5%
  • Seat belts54.5%
  • Driver assistance43.6%
  • Interior & seats43.6%
  • Suspension32.7%
  • Other / unspecified21.8%
  • Tires & wheels21.8%
  • Heating & air conditioning10.9%
  • Powertrain (other)10.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

21
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SINCE I PURCHASED VEHICLE BACK IN 2007, THIS VEHICLE LEAKS GASOLINE WHEN FULL TANK IS FUELED. IT CREATES A LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL IN THE REAR UNDER THE FUEL NECK FILL PIPE. IT TAKES ABOUT 20 MILES OF DRIVING FOR THE LEAK TO STOP. I HAD NEVER BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM BY ANY SERVICE CENTER I HAVE TAKEN IT TO. MY HOUSEHOLD IS SAFETY CONSCIOUS WHEN IT COMES TO THE USE OF ANY FLAMMABLE ITEMS THAT COULD POSE A RISK OF FIRE WHEN THESE LEAKS OCCUR. I ALWAYS TRY NOT TO FILL THE TANK COMPLETELY BUT I ADMIT SOMETIMES I SIMPLY FORGET, ONLY REALIZING IT AFTER THE FUEL STATION GASOLINE HOSE STOPS ON ITS OWN. MY CONCERN HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT WHILE DRIVING AND IS LEAKING, SOMEONE MAY THROW OUT THEIR WINDOW A CIGARETTE OR I MAY GO OVER SOMETHING THAT COULD TRIGGER A SPARK, CAUSING A FIRE/EXPLOSION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10496684 · filed Feb 7, 2013

VEHICLE: 1994 NISSAN MAXIMA (VIN# [XXX]) EVERY TIME I PUMP IN A FULL TANK OF FUEL AT THE GAS STATION, THE FUEL BEGINS TO LEAK AND CREATES A PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND WHEEL HOUSING IS SIGNIFICANTLY CORRODED THAT HAS RESULTED IN A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, IT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. ALSO, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS MOUNTED TO THE WHEEL AND THE MOUNTING COULD FAIL IN A VEHICLE CRASH. I DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 95V244000, WHICH WAS A RECALL ON THE 1994 NISSAN MAXIMA FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE TANK: TANK ASSEMBLY: FILLER PIPE AND CAP. A MIXTURE OF MUD AND SALT GOT TRAPPED BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND WHEEL HOUSING THAT RESULTED IN CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND WHEEL HOUSING. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGED-KEPT AND ONLY HAS 140,000 MILES FOR A 16-YEAR-OLD VEHICLE. ON 6/18/2010, I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO ROSENTHAL NISSAN DEALER IN VIENNA, VA FOR REPAIR/REPLACEMENT, BUT AFTER CALLING NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC., I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR/REPLACE IT AT MY OWN EXPENSE (FILE# [XXX]). THE RECALL WAS SPECIFIC FOR THE TYPE OF SAFETY DEFECT THAT I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING ON THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE/MODEL VEHICLE, BUT NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. REFUSES TO HEED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 95V244000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10339798 · filed Jun 23, 2010
All 21 reports naming fuel system

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

18
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THERE WAS A FAULTY FUEL LINE IN CONSUMERS 1994 NISSAN MAXIMA. *TS THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RADIATOR CAP AND TEMPERATURE SENSOR. *JB

NHTSA ID 10142085 · filed Oct 27, 2005

DT: FOR THE PAST YEAR SMELLED GAS. BEEN TOOK TO DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES. DONE REPAIRS TO HOSES,EXHAUST, ETC. LATER DISCOVERED THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL INJECTION. SYSTEM. WHEN AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON HIGH THE SMELL WAS EVIDENT. ALSO, THIS WAS PRESENT IN THE MORNING WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED FOR THE FIRST 5 MINUTES. TOOK TO SERVICE DEALER, AND FOUND NO LEAKS, BUT DID PERFORM SMOKE TEST AND NUMEROUS INSPECTIONS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, IS WAS PRESENT WHEN IS DEFROST WAS TURNED ON. GAS SMELL IWASSTRONGER WHEN ACCELERATING ABOUT 25 MPH OR SO IN STOP OR GO TRAFFIC. *AK

NHTSA ID 10122494 · filed May 31, 2005
All 18 reports naming engine

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

18
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DT: FOR THE PAST YEAR SMELLED GAS. BEEN TOOK TO DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES. DONE REPAIRS TO HOSES,EXHAUST, ETC. LATER DISCOVERED THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL INJECTION. SYSTEM. WHEN AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON HIGH THE SMELL WAS EVIDENT. ALSO, THIS WAS PRESENT IN THE MORNING WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED FOR THE FIRST 5 MINUTES. TOOK TO SERVICE DEALER, AND FOUND NO LEAKS, BUT DID PERFORM SMOKE TEST AND NUMEROUS INSPECTIONS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, IS WAS PRESENT WHEN IS DEFROST WAS TURNED ON. GAS SMELL IWASSTRONGER WHEN ACCELERATING ABOUT 25 MPH OR SO IN STOP OR GO TRAFFIC. *AK

NHTSA ID 10122494 · filed May 31, 2005

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC REPAIRED THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

NHTSA ID 10074305 · filed May 26, 2004
All 18 reports naming visibility

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1994 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS 138,000 MILES. ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. WHEN DRIVING, THE DIGITAL READOUT ON THE CAR CLOCK BEGINS TO FADE. THEN THE RADIO CUTS ON AND OFF. THEN, ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH ARE LOST, THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON, AND THE CAR DIES. AFTER BEING TOWED, THE BATTERY WAS RECHARGED, THE ALTERNATOR SHOWED IT WAS CHARGING THE BATTERY, AND THE CAR CRANKED AND RAN FINE. IT WILL RUN FINE FOR A DAY OR TWO, THEN IT TOTALLY CUTS OFF WHEN IT IS BEING DRIVEN. TO MAKE THINGS MORE INTERESTING, THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR WINDOW WILL GO DOWN WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED, BUT WILL NOT GO UP UNTIL THE CAR IS DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 20-30 MINUTES. INDIVIDUAL TAIL LIGHTS ARE OUT AT TIMES, BUT IT IS NEVER THE SAME BULB AT ANY TIME AND THE BULB IS NOT BAD.*AK

NHTSA ID 10043842 · filed Oct 29, 2003

BOSE RADIO/CD/TAPE PLAYER FAILS PARTICULARLY IN COLD WEATHER/NOW ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

NHTSA ID 760205 · filed Apr 3, 2002
All 8 reports naming electrical

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN 2003 I GOT IT REBUILT IT WENT OUT AGAIN IN 2004 EVERY PERSON I KNOW OWN A 1991-1994 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS THESE PROBLEMS AND I DONT THINK ITS RIGHT.SO THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE CARS TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID 10125937 · filed Jun 20, 2005

WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL BETWEEN 45 AND 55 MPH TRANSMISSION WILL START VIBRATING. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND HE SAID THAT NOISE AND VIBRATION WAS DUE TO SHIFTING GEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID 8002077 · filed Jan 11, 2002
All 8 reports naming transmission

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, HITING A CAR . DRIVER'S AIR BAG ONLY DEPLOYED PARTIALLY,ONLY ABOUT 1/ 4 THE SIZE OF THE BAG DEPLOYED. *AK

NHTSA ID 828585 · filed Oct 5, 1998

AIR BAG INDICATOR COMES ON.

NHTSA ID 515459 · filed Mar 11, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FUEL INJECTOR FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA ID 785205 · filed Dec 29, 2000

POWER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED LOCKING CONSUMER OUT OF VEHICLE WHILE RUNNING. *MJS

NHTSA ID 550285 · filed Jan 7, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BRAKE LINE CORRODED, CONSUMER FOUND OUT ABOUT CORRODED BRAKE LINE WHILE DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER WHO WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AKTHE DEALER ESTIMATED DAMAGES AT 1500 DOLLARS. THE BRAKE LINE AND THREE GAS LINES (FUEL, RETURN AND SEND) NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO CORROSION. THE BRAKE LINE LEAKS AT THE POINT UNDER THE LEFT FRONT DOOR. CORROSION COULD BE DUE TO ROAD SALT. *JG

NHTSA ID 8012906 · filed Jun 28, 2002

BRAKES MAKE NOISE ON OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ID 539775 · filed Sep 9, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY MAXIMA HAS A PLASTIC SHROUD AROUND THE FUEL FILLER NECK, PRESUMABLY TO PROTECT IT FROM ROAD DEBRIS, ROCKS, ETC, BLASTING THE FILLER NECK. UNFORTUNATELY, THE SHROUD TRAPS FINE DIRT AND MOISTURE. THIS INCLUDES WINTER ROAD SALT. WHEN I REMOVED THE SHROUD, MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF FINE SAND & DIRT FELL TO THE GROUND. WHEN I CLEANED OUT WHAT WAS STUCK UP INSIDE THE REAR QUARTER PANEL AREA, I SWEPT UP 3 FULL DUSTPANS. IT WAS CLOSE TO 10LBS OF CRAP. THE FILLER NECK WAS BADLY RUSTED. THE REAR QUARTER PANEL WAS RUSTED BADLY. WHEN I STARTED TO DISMANTLE, I WENT TO REMOVE SEATBELT BOLT. I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND THE ENTIRE AREA WHERE THE SEATBELT ATTACHED WAS BEHIND FILLER NECK AND COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE SHEET METAL TWISTED APART EASILY AND WOULD NOT HAVE PROTECTED THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER IN A 5 MPH COLLISION. IT WOULD HAVE JUST TORE AWAY. YEARS AGO MY '86 HONDA PRELUDE HAD A RUSTY FILLER NECK. I REMOVED IT AND WENT TO BUY THE PART, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT. IT WAS CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN I ASKED NISSAN A FEW MONTHS AGO, THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE (ON 2 ISSUES: STRONG FUEL ODORS AND NO SEATBELT PROTECTION). I FIND THAT UNACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT I CAN SEE THE FLAWED DESIGN. I HAVE ALSO SEEN MANY OTHER NISSAN OWNERS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR NISSAN AXXESS AND NISSAN MURANO ( AND I HAVEN'T EVEN SEARCHED OR LOOKED FOR THESE COMPLAINTS). ALSO, I HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING AUTO MVAS FOR 25 YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10263816 · filed Apr 1, 2009

AIR BAG INDICATOR COMES ON.

NHTSA ID 515459 · filed Mar 11, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE STOPPING VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ID 525344 · filed Nov 24, 1997

VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. MJS

NHTSA ID 527954 · filed Jan 9, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1994 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS 138,000 MILES. ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. WHEN DRIVING, THE DIGITAL READOUT ON THE CAR CLOCK BEGINS TO FADE. THEN THE RADIO CUTS ON AND OFF. THEN, ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH ARE LOST, THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON, AND THE CAR DIES. AFTER BEING TOWED, THE BATTERY WAS RECHARGED, THE ALTERNATOR SHOWED IT WAS CHARGING THE BATTERY, AND THE CAR CRANKED AND RAN FINE. IT WILL RUN FINE FOR A DAY OR TWO, THEN IT TOTALLY CUTS OFF WHEN IT IS BEING DRIVEN. TO MAKE THINGS MORE INTERESTING, THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR WINDOW WILL GO DOWN WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED, BUT WILL NOT GO UP UNTIL THE CAR IS DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 20-30 MINUTES. INDIVIDUAL TAIL LIGHTS ARE OUT AT TIMES, BUT IT IS NEVER THE SAME BULB AT ANY TIME AND THE BULB IS NOT BAD.*AK

NHTSA ID 10043842 · filed Oct 29, 2003

THE FRONT SEAT FAILED.*DT *JB

NHTSA ID 10007110 · filed Feb 14, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LOWER LEFT BALL JOINT FAILURE.

NHTSA ID 527770 · filed Jan 4, 1998

VEHICLE FLIPS OVER EASILY. *DSH

NHTSA ID 501510 · filed Nov 24, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN 2003 I GOT IT REBUILT IT WENT OUT AGAIN IN 2004 EVERY PERSON I KNOW OWN A 1991-1994 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS THESE PROBLEMS AND I DONT THINK ITS RIGHT.SO THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE CARS TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID 10125937 · filed Jun 20, 2005

CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALLS 95V244000 AND 94V194000 REPAIRS CONCERNING WHEELS AND THE FUEL FILLER. CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR THE LABOR, AND THE REPAIRS ON THE WHEELS WAS NOT PERFORMED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. A BROKE VACUUM LINE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO IDLE POORLY. THE VEHICLE'S WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID 10094097 · filed Mar 14, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER TRENDSETTER SE, SIZE P206/65R15 (NA) TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SAW A DEFECTIVE TREND IN SEVERAL COOPER TIRES THAT SHE PURCHASED. SHE BOUGHT FOUR TIRES INITIALLY IN AUGUST OF 2006. THE CONTACT RETURNED ONE TIRE ON DECEMBER 6, 2007 BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, TRANSMISSION TYPE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, ENGINE SIZE, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 178,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,307.

NHTSA ID 10216626 · filed Jan 31, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A, SIZE P245/45R18 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD A CRACKED SIDEWALL. GOODYEAR WAS NOTIFIED. THERE WAS A BUY BACK PROGRAM ON THIS TIRE THAT EXPIRED ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 43,000.

NHTSA ID 10214753 · filed Jan 14, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

POWER WINDOW - REGULATOR ARM BROKE, HEATER & A/C - CABIN FAN ONLY RUNS ON HIGH SPEED

NHTSA ID 745486 · filed May 17, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

3 PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASING AUTO:ACCELERATION OFF(FUEL INJECTION), BROKEN MANIFOLD STUD (EXHAUST) AND BROKEN AXLE

NHTSA ID 713978 · filed Oct 27, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .