Comments: 1-15, 16-22
CV boot torn and needed to replace entire set when purchased. It made a really bad grinding noise when I turned the wheels to the right.
Drive belts needed to be replaced.
Re-alignment performed.
Unusually high amount of corrosion on battery terminals, which I assumed was harmless, but may or may not be related to my next point...
Car will sometimes fail to start, usually when the engine is cold and the car has not been driven for a few days. In the event that this occurs, the car usually cranks after the first failed attempt, but it sometimes takes two or three times. I try to switch the key to the "ACC" position and back several times in an effort to prevent this, but I'm not sure if it's helping.
One foglight went out, didn't care to replace it, although the foglights make a pretty noticeable difference when they're on.
I have heated seats, and as far as I know they don't work... the light doesn't come on when I switch them on. Another thing I don't care to fix.
Cupholder can be entirely pulled out and removed (that's not supposed to happen) from the console area. I'm sure some screws or glue will fix that.
Gas mileage seems like it could be better, but my last Max was no Prius when it came to fuel economy.
Car sometimes seems sluggish for no good reason, but overall the power is awesome.
I could be crazy, but sometimes it feels like the car wants to go dead.
The clock will dim almost to the point where you can't see it at all if you have any exterior lights on during the day, i.e. in rain. The lights on the radio and temperature controls are still fine during this time, though.
The clock also will occasionally go out for a while and later reset itself to 12:00 for no apparent reason. Laaaame.
The factory CD player, in my experience, doesn't like CD-R's or CD-RW's (burned CD's) too much and sometimes won't play certain brands or discs. Or maybe my car just hates my music, you never know, as it is sometimes difficult to tell what genre of music each automobile is partial to.
My factory CD player will produce a static-y sound sometimes while playing CD's. It sounds just like a radio's static, and sometimes it will get so static-y that the CD player will stop playing the disc and it will display an error message. I'll turn the player off, then on, and this usually will be sufficient to allow the CD to continue playing, though sometimes it just doesn't want to work and I have to put in another CD. I have been told this is due to a dirty lens and can be repaired with a cleaning CD; however, I tried this a thousand times over and it made no real difference. I don't know what it could be.
(If anyone knows the solution to any of my above mysteries, please send me an email: aehord@yahoo.com. It would be appreciated!)
Although I have quite the list of problems and issues above, don't be fooled: Maximas are fantastic automobiles, period. I bought mine knowing that it needed work done. My last Maxima had 154k miles when I left it with my parents and it was running like a dream.
These cars are quick, aggressive, reliable, economical, and safe. They are built rock-solid and cannot be topped by any car in its class, in my opinion. Their reliability and incidents of repeat ownership are ranked among the best, and the VQ engine (produced on Maximas 1995 and newer) has been acclaimed as the best V6 engine for over ten years in a row.
If you're contemplating buying a Maxima, take it from me: this car will treat you well. Always have a mechanic inspect any car you buy BEFORE you buy it, of course, because there are always exceptions out there in cases where someone has beat the car to death, but generally speaking, it's hard to go wrong with a Maxima.
My only real complaints are that the security alarm is kind of stupid... like if you leave the window down in the car when it's locked and reach in the car to unlock it manually, it will make the alarm sound...annoying...but they have improved the alarm feature on newer models... and the whole static-y CD player deal is a hassle, but as far as I know, that is not a common issue.
In sum, the car is quick, the interior is cleverly designed and roomy; basically, it's everything I need it to be and a little bit more. A great buy for a smart young college girl like myself. Yeah, I'm pretty great.
Hey,
I just bought a 97 Maxima and I have many of the same problems, so here is some advice.
With the starter, if it doesn't crank, just put the key back in ACC then go forward and try again; BUT, when it is turned all the way, push it (it won't go in far) and try to pull it out, and do this motion a few times. it should work (and again this is when your key is turned all the way where it should crank). This is happening because the inside of where you put your key in is worn and needs to be replaced. If you go to someone good they will match it up with your current key. Otherwise, if they are not good, they will need to replace your key (including all door locks) and reprogram the comp.. What needs to be replaced (where you put the key in) is 350-500 dollars itself, so I suggest you go to someone good. This is a common defect in all Maximas.
Now, for the clock, just flick it a few times with your finger (like when you flick a booger off you finger. Doesn't always work, but its worth a try. Again a common problem with all Maximas and I had the same problem with my last Maxima.
For when it cranks, but won't start, there was a recall on all Maxima alternators made in the 1990's, so you might want to look into that if you still have the stock alternator.
My car also does not like burned CDs either, so unless we listen to the same music, it's the car. My cup holder has also fallen out, but it's not a big deal to me. I am curious to know if I have helped you at all please e-mail me back- mprx69x@yahoo.com.
I have a 1997 Maxima since new and I t has 120,000 miles. Repairs: A front strut at around 5K. I think I hit a curb and may have caused it to fail. It was covered under warranty. An alternator that failed around 50K, but was covered under warranty. It was later covered under a recall. A Starter that`failed around 100K. I also had a ripped boot, but I found it in time. The radio and speakers are starting to show wear. Back speakers have a paper tearing sound with high bass music. If your accelerator pedal is sticking, you need to clean the throttle body. It tends to stick. This cleaning also helped with cold starts in the morning. Beyond these small ailments this car is truly bullet proof. The power is still there and the car has no squeaks or rattles. I am a Maxima man forever.
I have a 1998 Nissan Maxima GLE. I keep having to replace my starter because they keep burning out; I have replaced the starter 3 times this year. The dealerships told me that you can only use the actual Nissan starter and there would not be future problems. Regardless of whether I purchase the starter from the dealership, junk yard, or local autopart stores, the results are still the same. Anybody have any ideas. If so, please email me at Young_Smooth_Casanova@yahoo.com. Thanks
Jay.
I have a 98 GLE and live in Chicago. When it is cold and the car has not been started for a while it starts fine, but squeals. It usually stops when I rev the engine. I have that cupholder problem too. I t plays burned CDs fine I guess my Max loves Jeff Beck & Eric Clapton.
One thing I would like is a list of Blank CD brands and types. Because as it stands, I have not had a single burnt CD spin up in my Maxima. 98 GLE, Bose Sound etc.
Also, someone had mentioned that there are laser mod's you can do to make it capable of reading burnt Cd's. Well if it's as simple as I'm thinking... I have an old CD burner with a good laser in it. Any suggestions or types of CD's that reportedly work?
I have a 97 Maxima GLE and also have had to replace the starter a couple of times. Just today I had to replace the one that was put in last year.
I had to replace the Cv boots on both side last year.
The other problem I have is with the Bose stereo. The wires must be loose because the sound does not come through all of the speakers. I have to push on the display panel and then all of the speakers work for a while... then it goes out again and have to push the panel again. It's annoying.
I have a 98 Maxima with 215,000 Miles on it. It Runs Flawlessly. the steering is perfect, the Battery is original, but I also have run into the starter problem; replaced it once now I'm all good. I have had one problem lately with the Knock Sensor, I actually just replaced it when I first got the car. so I'm hopeing that it is just a electrical error of some variety. My father runs a transmission shop which I also actively work at, and had him clear the computer of all error codes and unfortunately the check engine light came back on. so I'm crossing my fingers that it isn't really the Knock Sensor. it seems like the Sensors are one of the only problems that I have occured, but otherwise it runs amazing. All of my friends compliment me on how well it runs, rides, and looks. my overall rateing on a 98 Maxima and all of the others in the series are a good 8/10 their amazing and reliable cars. Maxima's are also quite fast. a friend of mine runs his 95 Manual in 3rd Gear at 140 MPH, and its all stock.
Hi, I'm the writer of this review; my Maxima is nearing 137k now and I have not had any problems other than replacing both CV boots. (The second time was probably either my fault or a wear-and-tear situation.) The grinding noise turned out to be a strut plate that needed greasing, no big deal. The heated seats do work, I discovered last winter; the light on the button just doesn't come on. This is a great car. Hasn't let me down yet. Doesn't like starting on cold mornings, but if you keep trying a few times it'll crank... never been problematic. I'm probably going to replace the brakes fairly soon and get a tune-up done, but overall, it's running like a champ. I've driven the heck out of this car... long trips and two accidents later (one side impact, one rear impact), the thing just keeps running.
Still looking for a solution to the CD player issue (other than replacing headunit). Try your luck with a few different brands of CD-R. I don't have my CD's with me, but some brands work better than others in the stock stereo. Mine won't play CD-RW's or MP3 CD's at all, so maybe that could be part of the problem for some people.
BTW, the car is an SE.
I have 1999 Maxima with 110K miles on it. I bought it brand new. Beside of regular maintenance such as battery change, new spark plugs, and fuel filter, I have replaced all ignition coils. The original coils were built defective. You will be required to replace them eventually if you have yet done so. Replaced Oxygen Sensor by the manifold underneath. Other than, the car seems running fine until now where I started hearing a scratchy noise from the wheels while running. This noise stops when I apply on brake. I checked the brake pads, they seem still fine. Have anyone known this problem? Please let me know or email me to hungtdao@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance.
I have a '97 Max as well... 170k and counting. Mine has the same cranking idiosynchrasies that you've mentioned. The ignition switch is the likely culprit for your No Start situation. As someone else mentioned, turn the key ALL the way and hold it until the engine starts. Or if it's really annoying, replace the ignition switch. There is also a switch in the shifter (I'm assuming that yours is an automatic). I've had rare instances where I've either had to slap forward on the shifter or run the shifter through all the gears and then try to crank the car again. It's always worked, and the Wonder Max has never stranded me.
1997 Maxima SE, 168,000 miles, original owner. Only maintenance was replace spark plugs, belts, tires and brakes. Clock doesn't come on very often (and is wrong when it does come on). I had a tear on the CV joint boot, so I had the front axle replaced.
Only problem now is sometimes the car won't turn over. When it does it starts right away. It has not happened to me but has happened to my wife. She said she thought she heard a faint clicking noise (she could only hear it with the windows down). So do you think it is a problem with the starter or the key/ ignition problem? Both seem to be mentioned above.
Any thoughts/ guesses are appreciated.
Hi, I have a 98 Maxima. 145k miles, stick shift, runs great, better than my 2005 Chevy Malibu.
I don't really have any problem with it except for the CD err display that it just started displaying recently, and the knock sensor, which I was told was a result of buying the cheapest gas, and it went off after I upgraded..
It won't play my CDs, and the radio display goes on and off. Someone suggested disconnecting the battery terminals for a few minutes and then reconnecting it back. Am yet to try this, but this is supposed to reset the computer in the car. I hope it works. Does anybody else know what I can do?
In general I think the car is great. I'll rate it a 9/10.
I have a 98 with 181000 miles and I have the same starting problem but pulling out and putting back into park always works for me, knock on wood. I love my car I've only had it two weeks but I plan on getting many more miles out of hopefully. The only other problem I have is the bose display unit in the dash seems to only work by thumping it hard, and the volume nob sometimes doesn't work unless I hit it really hard with my palm, that usually fixes it for a day or two.
Hi.. as I was looking for information to see if anyone else had the same problem as I with my 97 Nissan Maxima. I realized that others do have similar problem. I am having problems starting my car. This is always the case when the out side weather is hot (over 100 F).. living in AZ. So I was concluding that it may be the switch... and base on what I read, YES... this is my problem. Now I know that I will need to replace it. Thanks.
Hi everyone! I own a 1997 Maxima GLE, automatic. I currently have 193k miles logged onto her. The car was a gift from my mom after she bought her new car in the summer. The car is a champ, with the exception of a few things, all of which are fixable:
The steering wheel makes a funny noise, almost like a dull clicking noise when its turned at parking lot speeds (like 20 mph or below). It also tends to lean to the left, thus needing to be realigned.
All my windows and my sunroof work with the exception of the drivers side front: it's rolled up, dead. I was told that I need either a new switch or a motor. It's fairly cheap at about $300 from a junkyard, vs almost $600 from the Nissan Dealership.
When the car was given to me, the radio worked, but the CD player was dead. The display was going in and out, the volume control didn't work. In fact, when it did, if I turned right, it turned down and vice versa. The end result of all this was that I replaced it. Now I can play my CDs!
Next is starting the car. When it's real cold outside, the car will start on the first turn of the key, but it takes like 2 1/2 to 3 seconds to catch. The same rings true on hot days (I live in Sacramento and it will easily reach anywhere between 90-105 degrees in the summertime!). I will start the car after it hasn't been driven since the day before, and it will catch, but sometimes, I've had to try it twice. The starter is still stock too.
The transmission is good too, but, when I am just starting to drive the car, like say when I am leaving work or pressing the gas pedal to get up to speed, the car sort of jerks at like 20-30 mph. Not all the time, but sometimes. It's really strange.
Other than these issues, I have never had problems with the digital air display system, the clock, or any sensors besides the oxygen. General maintenance is obviously needed: drive belts, fuel filter, light changes, etc. I drive the car 40 miles a day, to and from work, and I must say, the fuel economy isn't bad when compared to newer cars. The leather has held up well for an 11 year old car.
I don't plan on getting rid of this car for at least another 3 to 5 years. In fact, I plan to drive the car to Monterrey, CA to go see the aquarium. Then I am driving to Seattle! My next car will be Nissan. I am looking at a Titan or a 2008 Maxima.
This car, if you take good care of it, will treat you like royalty. It's one of the best cars I've ever had. I would recommend this car to people out there who have teenagers who are just learning how to drive, or are looking into buying their first car.