1994 Nissan Maxima: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 89 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (18% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Tires · Jan 2008
“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.”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2007
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“NHTSA recall 95v244000 concerning fuel tank assembly pipe filler neck. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall. However, dealer charged consumer $1,700.00 for recall repairs. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2004
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2004
“While driving 60 mph, the sunroof exploded. The dealership mechanic repaired the problem once, but the problem recurred. Please provide any additional information. *nm”Owner report · Visibility · May 2004
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2004
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2003
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2002
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
THE ALUMINUM WHEELS WERE CLEAR COATED SEVERAL TIMES TO PROTECT THE METAL FINISH. SOME EXCESSIVE COATING CAN LEAVE THE WHEEL NUTS AN EXCESSIVE DISTANCE FROM THE WHEEL HUB WHEN TIGHTENED, ALLOWING THEM TO LOOSEN OVER TIME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CLEAR PLASTIC COATING FROM THE BRAKE ROTOR MATING SURFACE ON THE BACK OF EACH WHEEL AND FROM THE WHEEL NUT MATING SURFACES. THE WHEELS WILL BE REINSTALLED AND THE WHEEL NUTS TIGHTENED. WHEELS, HUB BOLTS, AND NUTS WILL BE REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A MIXTURE OF MUD AND SALT TO GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND WHEEL HOUSING. THE TRAPPED MUD AND SALT CAN RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND THE WHEEL HOUSING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN DEPENDING UPON THE EXTENT OF THE CORROSION.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1994 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Maxima by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 Nissan Maxima reliable?
NHTSA has 89 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Nissan Maxima. The most complained-about area is visibility (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Nissan Maxima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 114,500 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Nissan Maxima have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning wheels. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.