Nissan Maxima Complaints (1996)

96 consumer complaints on file.

#10806661November 25, 2015
ENGINE, STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SLOWING DOWN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10421503August 25, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
CAR FIRE. MY SON'S CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE HE WAS DRIVING IT DUE TO A PART NISSAN KNEW WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1997-1999 NISSAN MAXIMAS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THEIR ALTERNATORS THAT CAUSED THEM TO CATCH FIRE. DETAILS ABOUT THE RECALL ARE BELOW. MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 1996 MAXIMA WHEN THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE. LUCKILY, HE ESCAPED WITHOUT INJURY. ALTHOUGH HIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, CLEARLY THE PART THAT STARTED THE FIRE IS THE SAME AND IT IS THE PART THAT IGNITED THE FIRE. I SPOKE WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS THREE TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. I AM CONTACTING YOU BECAUSE I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET NISSAN TO DISCUSS THIS EVENT IN TERMS OF THE SECURITY ASPECT OF IT. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY CHOSE TO LOOK AT IT STRICTLY AS A WARRANTY ISSUE. IT STANDS TO REASON, IF THIS PART WAS IN MY SON'S CAR, IT IS ALSO IN OTHER 1996 MAXIMAS. THE NEXT PERSON WHO EXPERIENCES A CAR FIRE DUE TO A FAULTY ALTERNATOR MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY AS MY SON. NOTE: I BOUGHT BACK THE ALTERNATOR FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND I HAVE IT AT HOME. WWW.AUTOMOBILEMAG.COM/AM/1997/NISSAN/MAXIMA/RECALLS.HTML RECALL ID # 02V171000 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR RECALL DATE: JUN 24, 2002 MODEL AFFECTED: 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ONE OF THE DIODES USED IN THE ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHEN BUILT. THIS CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE DIODE AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD MELT THE PLASTIC HOUSING. CONSEQUENCE: IF THE COMBUSTIBLE GAS EMITTED BY THE MELTING PLASTIC DOES NOT DISPERSE DUE TO AIR FLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT COULD IGNITE AND IN TURN IGNITE THE FAN GUIDE IN THE ALTERNATOR. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $560 UPDATED 10/17/11 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10286192October 3, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, EQUIPMENT
MY 1996 NISSAN MAXIMA CAUGHT ON FIRE BY ITSELF IN THE MIDNIGHT, AND IT WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE FROM MY FRIEND AS A GIFT, WHICH WAS IN A VERY GOOD CONDITION. AND I ALSO PAID THE BUCKNER'S AUTO SERVICE CENTER AT KNOXVILLE, TN FOR CHECKING THE CAR IN DETAIL AND GETTING IT REPAIRED. BUT 8 DAYS AFTER, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. DURING THE 8 DAYS, THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT IN FRONT OF MY APARTMENT, AND NOBODY EVER TOUCHED THE CAR. IT'S CLOUDY OR RAINY IN ALL THESE DAYS. THOUGH FORTUNATELY MY WIFE AND I WERE SAFE, WE WERE REALLY SCARED AND MY WIFE WAS AFRAID OF VEHICLES FROM THEN ON. WE HAVE ARRIVED AT THE U.S LESS THAN 2 MONTHS, AND THIS INCIDENT ALMOST COMPLETELY DISRUPTED OUR LIVES. THE FOLLOWING IS THE DESCRIPTION FROM THE KNOXVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT CRIME REPORT: THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR EIGHT DAYS. INTERVIEWED CAR OWNER, WHO STATES HE HAS BEEN IN THE US FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH, AND HAD RECEIVED THE VEHICLE AS A GIFT FROM A FRIEND. HE SAID THAT HE HAD TAKEN THE CAR FOR REPAIRS AND TO BE SERVICED AT BUCHNERS AUTO REPAIR ON 9/8/2009 AND HAD AN INVOICE OF THE WORK PERFORMED. HE SAID THAT THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THEN BECAUSE HE WAS STILL IN THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING HIS DRIVER LICENSE. THERE WAS ONLY AN 8 MILE DIFFERENCE THE INVOICE MILEAGE AND THE CARS ODOMETER READING. INVESTIGATION OF THE VEHICLE REVEALED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE CAR WAS LOCKED AND HOOD WAS SECURE WHEN ENG 12 ARRIVED. THEN HAD TO FORCE THE HOOD SINCE THE CABLE DID NOT FUNCTION DUE TO FIRE DAMAGE. AREAS OF HIGH HEAT WERE INDICATED ON THE HOOD OVER THE BATTERY AND FUEL/AIR INTAKE LOCATIONS. ALSO OF NOTE WAS THAT THE COOLING FANS WERE DESTROYED AND ONE HAD FALLEN TO THE GROUND. THIS FIRE IS CONSIDERED TO ACCIDENTAL AND THE CAUSE TO BE A MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. THE OWNER DOES NOT HAVE INSURANCE ON THE VEHICLE. SUGGESTED THAT THE OWNER TAKE PHOTOS AND CONTACT BUCHNERS TO CHECK FOR ANY RECALLS OR TO'S FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254095January 7, 2009
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH JUST STARTED FLASHING INTERMITTENTLY THEN I JUST SEE THAT THERE IS A RECALL. HOWEVER MY CAR IS 1996. I AM A NERVOUS WRECK TRYING TO DRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248340November 10, 2008
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP, AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONSTANTLY FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND PAID $125 FOR AN ESTIMATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INCAPABLE OF BEING REPAIRED. IN THE SUMMER OF 2007, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST IN REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. UPDATED 11/28/08 *BF THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSING POWER STEERING FLUID. THE DEALER STATED THE PUMP HAD A LEAK. UPDATED 12/02/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240484August 31, 2008
TIRES
OF 4 TIRES PURCHASED IN MAY 2008, 3 HAVE FAILED. ONE TIRE WAS REPLACED DUE TO RADIAL TIRE PULL. A SECOND WAS REPLACED DUE TO A BLISTER THAT DEVELOPED ON THE SIDEWALL. A THIRD WAS REPLACED DUE TO A FLAT SPOT THAT WAS DISCOVERED ON THE TREAD, WHICH WAS FOUND WHEN THE TIRE COULD NOT BE BALANCED. ALL 3 TIRES FAILED WITHIN THE FIRST 6,000 MILES OF TREADWEAR. TIRES ARE GOODYEAR COMFORT TREAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222383March 26, 2008
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN
I FACED A RARE (I DON'T KNOW I AM THINKING IT AS RARE) PROBLEM WITH NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE MODE MY FRIEND, SITTING IN THE OTHER SEAT, ACCIDENTALLY CHANGED THE GEAR TO REVERSE MODE THEN THE STRANGE THING HAPPENED, THE CAR STEERING GOT LOCKED AND THE CAR GOT DECELERATED VERY FAST (AS I WAS APPLYING A BRAKE) AND EVEN THOUGH I CHANGED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE MODE THE CAR WONT PICK ACCELERATION AND BEHAVED AS IT IS IN THE NEUTRAL GEAR. SO, THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE ON THE LEFT LANE AND WE ALMOST GOT KILLED BY THE ON COMING TRAFFIC. SINCE THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT MOVING WE ARE NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. WHAT WE DID IS WE STOPPED (TURN OFF) THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE AND CHANGED THE GEAR INTO PARKING AND STARTED IT AGAIN, AFTER "FEW SECONDS" THE CAR FINALLY MOVED. I AM SO SCARED BY THE EVENT AND I WANTED TO REPORT TO SOME ONE AND I THOUGHT MAY BE NHTSA IS THE BEST BET. PLEASE TELL ME WHETHER IT WILL BE THE SAME TO ANY CAR OR WILL THAT BE ONLY ON NISSAN MAXIMA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200988August 28, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT MUST MAKE 5 OR 6 ATTEMPTS IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. OCCASIONALLY, HE MUST DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOOR FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURS EACH TIME HE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY AFTER IT HAS BEEN PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. IF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND IS STILL WARM, IT TAKES 2 OR 3 ATTEMPTS TO START. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE FUEL SYSTEM RELATED AND HE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FILTERS, WIRING HARNESS, AND STARTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT. HE BELIEVES THAT THE ELECTRICAL SENSOR IS NOT READING CORRECTLY. THE PURCHASE DATE AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198673August 6, 2007
AIR BAGS, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1996 NISSAN MAXIMA. SHE STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHED AT ALL TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WA 75,900. UPDATED 02/01/08 *LJ. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE RADIO DID NOT WORK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191919May 29, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1. I WAS PARKING NEAR DOWNTOWN SEATTLE AT A CURB PARKING SPOT. WHILE ALIGNING MY CAR TO THE CURB WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FROM IDLE SPEED TO FULL THROTTLE. BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD AND SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL FROM DRIVE POSITION, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CARD FROM LURCHING FORWARD AND HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT. THE CAR RETURNED TO IDLE SPEED AFTER SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL. 2. I HAD STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AT A FOUR-WAY INTERSECTION ON MERCER ISLAND, WA BEHIND ANOTHER CAR. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. SUDDENLY, THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE POSITION FROM IDLE SPEED TO FULL THROTTLE. I HAD TO PUSH VERY HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PREVENT MY CAR FROM HITTING THE CAR AHEAD AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL POSITION AFTER WHICH THE CAR RETURNED TO IDLE SPEED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158798June 1, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRONT RADIATOR SUPPORT RUSTED OUT AND CAN CAUSE VEHICLE'S ENGINE TO DROP OUT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147611January 12, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES AFTER 55-60 TRIPS TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. IN ADDITION TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING THE ENGINE MADE A PINGING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. ON ONE OCCASION,THE MECHANIC CLEANED THE COILS. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP SUGGESTED REPLACING THE EGR VALVE, BUT THE CONTACT DECLINED BECAUSE THE STATE WOULD NOT ALLOW THE INSTALLATION OF A USED EGR VALVE. THE CODES WERE CLEARED SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO GET THE LIGHT TO GO OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS COMES BACK ON. SOMETIMES IT CAME ON WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF BEING REPAIRED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093485October 2, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON EVEN AFTER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS DONE. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AFTER THE 1ST YEAR I BOUGHT IT. IN THE 5 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, THE STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED, TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED, STRUTS WERE REPLACED, A NEW MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE WAS REPLACED, AND THIS YEAR, 2 OIL LEAKS DEVELOPED, 1 INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS WAS A DEFECT OF NISSAN, NOT ANYTHING THAT I DID OR DIDN'T DO. IT COST OVER $700 TO FIX THE LEAKS. THE LEAKS BLEW OUT THE SENSORS, AND THE CAR DIDN'T PASS THE EMISSIONS. I SPENT ANOTHER $850 IN GETTING NEW SENSORS. ONCE THE SENSORS WERE REPLACED, THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE FUEL INJECTOR AND HE HAD TO REPLACE THAT. THERE IS STILL A SHORT IN THE CAR SOMEWHERE AS ONE OF THE BACK LIGHTS TURNS OFF AND ON WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT, AS DOES THE LIGHT FOR THE RADIO CONSOLE (WHICH ITS THE ORIGINAL RADIO THAT CAME WITH THE CAR, SO IT'S NOT LIKE SOMEONE MESSED AROUND WITH IT.) AFTER REPLACING THE SENSORS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THE 2ND EMISSIONS TEST, WHICH IT REJECTED THE CAR BECAUSE IT WASN'T READY YET. THE MECHANIC SPENT 7 (YES, SEVEN) DAYS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, ONLY TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD. AFTER 1 DAY OF DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. NOW THE CAR FEELS UNSAFE WHEN I'M DRIVING IT, AS WHEN THE CAR HITS 20 MPH AND 40 MPH, THE CAR JERKS TO THE RIGHT AND I HAVE TO CONCENTRATE ON MAKING SURE I DON'T HIT ANYONE. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT IS EITHER. THE FAN IS STARTING TO SOUND LOUD WHEN THE AIR/HEAT IS ON OR WHEN THE CAR IS IDLE (STOPPED AT A LIGHT) AND THE AIR ONLY GETS COLD WHEN ITS COOL OUTSIDE, NOT WHEN IT'S HOT. I SPENT $22,000 BUYING THIS CAR, AND ABOUT ANOTHER $5000 IN REPAIRS TO DATE AND ITS NOT YET 10 YRS. OLD. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10059175February 17, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
ON TWO OCCASIONS HOOD LATCH SNAPPED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURES TO THE CONSUMER WHILE MAKING REPAIRS UNDER THE HOOD. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056867February 9, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
1996 NISSAN MAXIMA, LOW MILEAGE (50,000) FAILED NC STATE INSPECTION DUE TO FAILURE OF BOTH CV JOINT BOOTS. IF THE BOOTS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE AXLES WILL FAIL - CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER OR SUDDEN LOCKUP ON 1 OR BOTH FRONT WHEELS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10026345October 15, 2003
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONSUMER CRASHED THE VEHICLE AND BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AFFECTS FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED 60% LOSS OF HEARING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *TS *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10042250October 3, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE MAIN ENGINE COMPARTMENT PER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10038173September 4, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10019401May 7, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING A LITTLE ROUGH. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS WERE LOOSE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $2300.00 TO REPAIR. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10010166March 8, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WATER PUMP LEAKS RADIATOR COOLANT. THIS HAS LED TO ENGINE-OVERHEATING AND MAY CAUSE SEVERE ENGINE FAILURE (A SAFETY ISSUE). ON CHECKING WITH DEALER, THE ESTIMATED REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF WATER PUMP MAY COST AROUND $750. THIS IS AN UNUSUALLY HIGH COST FOR WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT. WITH THE CAR BEING A 96 MODEL HAVING ONLY A MILEAGE OF ABOUT 50 K, THIS KIND OF WATER PUMP FAILURE IS PROBABLY UNSEEN ON MOST OTHER CAR MODELS. THEREFORE, IT IS SUGGESTED TO THE MANUFACTURER TO INVESTIGATE INTO POSSIBLE DESIGN DEFECTS OF THE WATER PUMP. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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