Comments: 1-15, 16-17
Drive-chain and water pump replacement at about 100,000 miles (cost $600, but from a dealer).
Electric window motors all fail on a regular basis ($175 each from my local mechanic).
Electric antenna no longer goes down.
Standard Bose stereo/cassette is awful. Ear drum shattering static when you turn it on. Constant static when the radio is on. Cassette player no longer works. Only one speaker is still working.
Air conditioner works when it wants.
Digital clock only works for some reason when temperatures reach 90's (could they have made that a little harder to repair?)
Overall I'm happy with this car.
No major engine problems in over 200,000 miles.
General maintenance takes its toll on the wallet. When I finally paid off the bank I thought I was in the clear. I was wrong. Whenever I take it to the mechanic I can expect nothing less than a $250 bill.
I know I'm not the only one having problems with their windows, stereo and antenna. I only wish Nissan would admit to poor quality electronics and offer us an alternative.
I have 136,000 miles on my 1993 maxima. Some problems include: a radio antennae that will not go down, the Bose-radio-cassette sound system comes on after it has been turned on whenever it is ready, it also turns off in the same fashion, and the right-rear window motor just recently quit.
John.
Have a 90 Maxima, same problems with the speakers. Had the stock radio replaced, and the speakers go on and off at will.
Have problems with the exhaust and timing belt. I thought Japanese cars were supposed to be better?!?
My 1990 Maxima is the best car I have ever owned. It has 135,000 miles and runs like new in most situations. I've had the same stereo, windows, antenna problems that others have had, but that doesn't bother me much. I have not had any transmission or significant engine problems. Brakes and CV joints have been a problem, but my daughter is in the brake business... so that helps.
I also have a 1990 Maxima and it truly is the best car I have ever owned. I bought it new and today I have over 247,000 miles on it and it is still going strong. I had to have the transmission rebuilt last year at about 219,000 miles, but I didn't think that was too bad. It does not burn oil or drip oil. I have had the same problems as others with windows, stereo head unit and speakers, but I hope to continue driving this car until it gets at least 500,000 miles. I wish I had a dozen more just like this one.
I have a '95 Maxima SE 5 speed and have never regretted it. She's been a very reliable car and drives like a tank in the snow. Recently replaced my first set of brakes @ 90,000 miles. Outstanding! Makes me feel comfortable and secure. However, as I approached 100K miles, a few major components have gone on the fritz--replaced the odometer ($700) and may now may be facing a replacement of the catalytic converter ($1,000) and just yesterday the tachometer died.
I was so hoping to be able to drive this car to 200K, but not if I end up having to replace every major system. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.
Katiej.
Let's see,,,,, what has gone wrong with my 1990 maxima?
Replaced the window regulators in all 4 doors at about $200 each.
Bose radio is a joke... it has never gotten good reception, now there is constant humming from one speaker. The electric radio antenna hasn't worked in a long time.
The shifter needed some type of adjustment, something to do with the neutral safety switch, it wouldn't start unless you fiddled with the shifter.
All in all, I have been pleased with it except for the window regulator problems. I think Nissan should have fixed them at no cost. It seems like it's a factory defect from reading the other posts.
Same story here, to wit:
Replaced all 4 window regulators, at least once.
Radio antenna hasn't gone done in years.
Bose Radio ended up being the worst (especially when you're stuck with them even if you're willing to get a new radio, due to their individually amplified speaker "technology").
Every repair is at least $250!
But what I can't understand is how everyone keeps saying, "...but I'm happy with my Maxima"!!
There's no doubt that every Nissan dealership, along with Nissan Motor Corporation themselves, have been aware of these repetitive problems since the beginning, however, obviously, they never felt any responsibility to remedy them. Hey, and why not? We all contributed to the easy "repair" money they so shamelessly grabbed.
I've learned my lessons. And my friends and family have learned by watching. It's back to Toyota or Honda for us.
Nissan's Maxima repetitive repair performance was nothing short of criminal on their part.
And, if all that weren't enough, my local Nissan dealer (ABC Nissan in Phoenix, Arizona), broke my exhaust manifold studs when doing some clutch housing work and then told me it was up to me to pay for repairing them because the studs were "old").
I would like to say I recently bought a 1990 maxima with 129,000 miles... It seems to not be a bad car except for before I bought it the windows wouldn't work and stereo is shot.. How ever when I drive the vehicle for long periods of times my engine has a hesitation to it and it seems to be getting poor gas mileage. From what I have been reading here, It sounds like it might be the fuel injectors. Any help or comments would be helpfull..
SWPA.
I owned one 1990 GXE was like new bought at 190k miles drove till 280k then my girl friend used it a hose blew overheated head gasket blew, changed the motor found a good used low mileage motor car would have lasted forever, but it was hit RIP maxima "best car I have ever owned"!!
I just bought an 89 Nissan Maxima today, and it seems to be a fine car, but I noticed my windows won't work either.
Ah well, she runs, which is a great thing considering the 1000 I spent.
Well, I have had my 90 Maxima, Chinky as I call her, for over a year. Since then, I haven't felt any fresh air because my motors are also shot. As far as the humming coming from my radio, I recently broke down and invested my $$$ in a whole new system. Awesome decision. I also had to invest in a new water-pump and timing belts. I'm at 173K miles and she runs like new. Until yesterday. She died on me. Maybe a flywheel? Maybe an alternator? Maybe a transmission? Whatever it is, its going to be expensive!!! I bought the car for $1500, and easily put the same amount into her, so now I have to decide whether or not see if I can reach my goal of 250k miles. Wish me luck...
Danny
Melrose Park, Illinois.
Maxima's are a great car, but can take a toll on you. First, the transmission, then the stuttering in the engine (oh by the way the stuttering was cause by a clogged fuel injectors #1 & #3, the Nissan Dealership couldn't figure out the problem so I ventured out to find it myself.) New injectors: cost $600.00 with labor), then the rack & pinion, then the RUST, then the struts,...
I think I rebuilt the entire car. But I still love my Maxi.
I bought my '90 Max SE with 90,000 miles. She's great! However, I have had some trouble with her:
The radio wasn't factory so I didn't have any problem with that, however the speakers were and I have to replace them all.
I had to replace the exhaust system.
I had to replace the power steering; rack and pinions and all.
I've had the fans on the cooling system replaced.
I had the transmission rebuilt and now its having problems again. I even have that problem someone mentioned about not being able to start the car without fiddling with the shifter.
My temp. gauge doesn't work.
The clock comes on and off when it wants.
My wheel cylinders have been replaced ($500 from dealer) and they tell me my cam seals are leaking oil ($600).
The only problems I have with the windows is my front driver side doesn't work so well when its wet. It goes up regularr and then slows down and eventually stops 2/3 of the way up. It comes down just fine. When I get it looked at they say the motor is fine and they just lubricate it and it works fine for 2 days to a week then goes back to the way it was. This has only been a problem since I had the window replaced cause someone broke into my car. I have also had to replace the master switch, and the motor on the rear driver side window.
I've put A LOT of money into her and she's my first car so I'm not ready to give her up. The previous owner wasn't very good to her so I guess I'm paying for all his mistakes. I've had her 2.5 years and love her to death. I'm gonna drive her into the ground!! LOL.
Meek,
Philadelphia, PA.
I bought a 92 Max SE when it was new. I love the car, but as it has aged, the repair bills have grown. I was gratified to see the many references to the window regulators as I have replaced all 4 and 2 twice. I have often wondered why Nissan never issued a repair bulletin on them. I also have had the same problems with the vaunted Bose stereo, the very expensive-to-repair radio antenna, the clock and power door locks. I didn't see any references to the body parts fading or the major problems I have had with the Coils going bad. But, all in all, I'd buy the car again.
I have a 90 Nissan Maxima car run great except for an idle fluctuation problem, took it to dealers they couldn't find the problem, they said it maybe injectors or ****.if any one out there has had this problem please email me at gmills@vertisinc.com.No windows or antenna problems. mileage 137,000.Oh had no check engine light.