1995 Nissan Maxima Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the airbag warning light coming on and staying lit, with dealers quoting a new airbag control module; several also describe airbags that did not deploy in a collision. A second common theme is rust in the lower radiator support, which carries the front engine mount, along with repeat oxygen sensor replacements for emission-light problems. Most reports arrive on high-mileage cars, though the airbag and oxygen sensor accounts appear at a wide range of mileages.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light on / module diagnosed as faulty

   • 20 complaints (13%)
   • median 106,500 mi at 9.6 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Complaints describe the airbag warning light blinking or staying lit after start-up, with a diagnostic pointing to a faulty airbag control module or sensor. Several owners say the dealer told them the airbag may not deploy if the module was not replaced, and at least one notes the vehicle was not covered by a manufacturer recall for its VIN. Others report the airbags failing to deploy in a frontal or rear-end collision, or deploying late or aggressively. Reported at mileages ranging from about 75,000 to 144,000 miles, but many complaints list no mileage.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: With the key on, confirm the airbag light comes on and then goes out; a light that stays lit points to a stored fault in the airbag system. Ask whether a diagnostic scan has been done and what codes it showed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While traveling at 50 MPH in the rain consumer saw a tree that fell on the road. Consumer could not avoid hitting the tree. Impact flattened the hood, and the window shield came into the vehicle. Also, sun roof was smashed. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Consumer struck her head on the steering wheel. Vehicle was totaled.”

   NHTSA complaint #10117485, filed 2005-04, 138,000 miles

   “The air bag light came on and remained on, after the vehicle was started. The mechanic ran a diagnostic and found the air bag had a faulty unit and it needed to be replaced. Nissan of the ne region was contacted, and they stated an air bag was not needed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10019570, filed 2003-05, 75,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Oxygen sensor failures and repeated emission light

   • 9 complaints (6%)
   • median 11,750 mi at 1.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2004

   Complaints describe the check engine light returning after oxygen sensors were replaced, sometimes with several sensor replacements on the same car and one owner reporting an extended emission-control warranty on the part. Others mention failed sensors, an exhaust leak and an emission light recurring within short mileage intervals. Costs of a few hundred dollars per replacement are mentioned. Reported from very low mileage, including a replacement at about 5,500 miles and others under 50,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask for service records showing how many oxygen sensors have been replaced and when, and have a scan done to confirm no stored emission or sensor codes before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We purchased a new 1995 Nissan Maxima in july 1995. By april 1996, the still-new car had to be repaired with a new o2 sensor, but under the warranty. Then by october 2000, another new o2 sensor had to be installed, and was paid out of our own pocket. However, by february 2002, the dealership diagnosed the car with yet another o2 sensor failure. At that time we refused the service because we had lost confidence on the repair due to past poor quality history and high repair cost estimation (~$250). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10073069, filed 2004-05, 11,750 miles

   “I took delivery of this auto 11/17/94. On 10/11/95, a rear oxygen sensor was replaced at 5510 miles, under warranty. Sometime after that, in 1996, I received an undated bulletin from Nissan, acknowledging a problem with their emission control system and extending a limited warranty to 5 years or 60,000 miles. On 7/11/00, a front o2 oxygen sensor was replaced under warranty at 43,121 miles. On 2/6/2001, a third o2 oxygen sensor was replaced at 45,408 miles, with a cost to me of $636.17. …”

   NHTSA complaint #742488, filed 2001-03
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Starter, ignition and intermittent no-start

   • 11 complaints (7%)
   • median 131,000 mi at 15.1 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2009

   Owners describe the engine cranking but not catching, or needing several tries to start, leading to starter replacement and in one case an ignition switch replacement after stalling at speed. Others mention intermittent starting trouble and a starter that seemed weak, along with dome and interior lights that stopped working. Described across a wide mileage range, including cars beyond 130,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the car several times from cold and warm and listen for slow cranking; check whether the battery and charging system have been tested and whether the starter has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “It started with 2 to 3 tries to start the car. We were keeping up with the routine maintenance but the problem progressed to taking as much as 4 to 5 tries to start the engine, it would crank but not kick. We took it to the dealer 4 times. They said the starter worn out due to repetitive attempts to start the vehicle. Just recently, we had a new started put in for approximately $400.000 for using a car for 3 years. Now the car still gives problems in starting though much less, for example 1 out 10. …”

   NHTSA complaint #700657, filed 1998-11

   “Transmission will not shift out of park. Brakes make loud noise and often it is difficult to stop. Dome light and door lights donot work.struts and springs are bad. Makes loud noise. Starter had to be replaced. Would not start intermittently.”

   NHTSA complaint #10065988, filed 2004-04
4. 4
   Seats

   Hood struts and seat adjusters failing

   • 6 complaints (4%)
   • typically at 4.3 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2002

   Complaints describe the gas-filled hood struts no longer holding the hood open, particularly in cold weather or when the car has sat overnight, so the hood drops without warning. Drivers also report power seat lift motors failing intermittently or seat backs moving back on their own, and seat adjusters no longer working, with dealers citing worn plastic internal parts. Not tied to a single mileage band; several complaints list no mileage and describe the problem appearing as the cars aged.

   What to check: Open the hood and see whether it stays up on its own, especially when cold, and operate the power seat through its full range of movement to check the adjusters.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Hood shocks cannot keep hood open. First time it occurred, the hood came down on my head and hit me pretty hard. My wife had to come lift it and tend to my dizziness. Driver seat adjusters don't work anymore, my wife tried to get into the car after I have been driving it and couldn't reach the pedals. Contacted Nissan and said it is out of warranty, the local dealer indicated that Nissan used cheap parts (plastic cogs) and after a while they strip.”

   NHTSA complaint #756944, filed 2002-01

   “Hood supports fail to keep hood up when opened. Hood suddenly slams shut without warning. Will cause serious injury as hood is heavy and closes with enough force to chop off fingers, etc. Really dangerous. Dealer says Nissan won't repair, and that shop mechanics use a wood prop before they will get under hood of 1995 Maxima as problem is well-known.”

   NHTSA complaint #730121, filed 2000-09
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Lower radiator support rusted through at engine mount

   • 6 complaints (4%)
   • median 159,904 mi at 15.2 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2012

   Owners describe the lower radiator support, which the front engine mount bolts to, rusting through in the middle until the mount drops and the engine tilts forward. Complaints say the part is structural and affects chassis alignment, and that it had to be replaced. Several describe it as a known issue on this body style, and one says a dealer called it a common problem. Appears mostly on older, high-mileage cars, with reported failures around 159,900 and 175,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect the radiator support area under the front of the engine bay for rust-through, especially where the front engine mount bolts on, and check that the engine sits level.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We just purchased our daughter her first car,a very nice looking 1995 Nissan Maxima. It only had one small rust spot one the rear fender,and it seemed to run great,so we bought it home. Two days later we noticed a thumping noise under the hood. Upon investigation, found that the lower radiator support has totally rotted away in the middle ,where the front motor mount bolts on. This caused the motor to tilt forward about three inches. It wont be long till the motor falls out on the ground... …”

   NHTSA complaint #10165349, filed 2006-08, 127,000 miles

   “I want to know why Nissan has not recalled the 1995 Maxima due the springs defect, gear shift malfunction, starter problem and the list goes on. I have 2 1995 Maxima's and they both have the same problems. Having done quite a bit of research looking for customer complaints, it looks as though everyone else with a 95 Maxima has the same defects. The spring problem with the suspension definitely should have been recalled as was the spring problem with the sentra. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10087036, filed 2004-08

Buying note. Given the age of these cars, the practical checks are rust in the front structure and a proper scan of the airbag and emission systems before buying. Service records showing recent oxygen sensor and starter work help show how the car has been maintained.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.