Faults:

Knock sensor

Mass air flow sensor

Headlights

Various leaks

Check engine light stays on

Brakes

Clutch

Starter

Air intake

General Comments:

Very smooth ride when operational, but stayed in the shop. All told, in a year and a half, spent about $4,000 in repairs. Had to keep fixing things before could even try to sell it. Very disappointing car. On the other hand, my 1994 Accord keeps trucking right along.

Faults:

Same problems as everyone else - hard shifting from 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Took it into the dealer, and they said it needed to be re-calibrated. They said this should fix it.

The manager said, as you know these cars have had a lot of problems with the transmission. He stated if this did not fix it them, we would need to replace the tranny ($3,300). Then they stated that the timing belt/chain w/ever needed to be replaced. That's another ($2,200). So I have had this car for 4 months and it could cost me ($5,500), just to have a reliable car for who knows how many more miles.

Even though I just bought it, I am going to get it running, and making as little noise as possible, then trade it in on another car.

General Comments:

Nissan absolutely does not care about the problems they are having with their cars, and it appears will do nothing to try and rectify the situation. I can almost understand the timing chain/belt because the car has 76,000 miles on it. The price was crazy and I would not have Nissan do that anyway. Any mechanic worth his/her salt could do this.

Faults:

I have been experiencing problems since Christmas of 08' with my Nissan Maxima. I have taken it in to the dealership numerous times and they keep telling me they can find nothing wrong with the car.

Finally my check engine light comes on while at a stop light, and the engine begins to rev up as if I am pressing the accelerator. Later found out the catalytic convertor is gone.

Has anyone else had this problem? The cost is over 1100.00 to repair.

Faults:

Transmission:

My 2005 Nissan Maxima (Build date of 08/04) has 69000 miles and has started showing signs of what may be serious transmission problems.

1. Takes about 5 seconds to click into gear after the shift lever is put in "D".

2. Very hard jerky shifts between 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 1st, and is accompanied by a loud clunking noise.

3. Transmission slips out of gear during regular driving, allowing the engine to rev freely then jerking back into gear with a loud clunk. This followed by a burnt oil / electrical type smell that gets inside the car, and is evident outside after stopping.

Sometimes I go for days with no symptoms at all, and other times it may happen a dozen times in a day. I took it in to the dealer and none of the problems showed up for them, but they noted that the engine mounts were broken, but that would not cause these symptoms. They suggested a new transmission and motor mounts for $4,000. I drive mainly on the freeways in Southern California and have maintained and babied this car since it was new.

This is my first Nissan, and I have loved this car until these symptoms. I have been eying the new 2009 Maximas, but now I am not sure of this car's long term reliability.

General Comments:

Great performance, but transmission reliability is a big question mark!