1990-1994 Nissan Maxima: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1994 Nissan Maxima and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Acceleration
- Handling/roadholding
- Ride
- Antilock brakes (optional)
- Instruments/controls
Cons
- Head room (w/optional sunroof)
- Fuel economy
Vehicle Highlights
New aerodynamic sheetmetal replaced the Maxima's former boxy look. The new model was not only longer and wider, it rode on four additional inches of wheelbase. Under the hood, the Maxima retained the former 3.0-liter V6, but engineering changes resulted in 160 horsepower instead of 154. Choose the GXE and the only transmission was a 4-speed automatic. Meanwhile, the sporty SE came equipped with either a 5-speed manual, or the automatic at no extra charge.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Nissan Maxima SE Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 7 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 7 | |
| Total Score: | 54 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1994 Nissan Maxima. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1994 Nissan Maxima.
Year to Year Changes
1991 Nissan Maxima:
Equipment changes include redesigned outside mirrors and black instead of charcoal, for the optional leather upholstery.
1992 Nissan Maxima:
An optional driver-side airbag and a more powerful engine for the sporty SE model are the major changes for Nissan's front-drive flagship model. Now standard on the SE is a new double-overhead-cam, 24-valve, 190-horsepower 3.0-liter V6. The optional airbag retains the tilt steering wheel. And antilock brakes, previously optional only on the SE, can be ordered on both models for 1992. Minor appearance changes this year include a freshening of the front grille and taillamps.
1993 Nissan Maxima:
The driver-side airbag becomes standard for 1993. The change coincides with the addition of built-in safety belts for an optional rear child-safety seat.
1994 Nissan Maxima:
With a new Maxima looming on the horizon for 1995, Nissan provides few changes to the 1994 Maxima, which begins its sixth year in its present form.
Our road test for the 1990-1994 Nissan Maxima includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1994 Nissan Maxima and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1994 Nissan Maxima is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
With 190 horsepower on tap, the SE is a potent and sporty performer that matches up well when compared with higher-priced European models. Those preferring a touch of luxury will discover the GXE is also well worth considering. Maxima comes with a well-organized instrument panel and comfortable driving position. It provides the kind of poised front-drive handling and competent road manners that others have tried to emulate, coupled with a comfortable ride. With its softer suspension, the GXE leans a bit more in the turns than the firmer SE, but both models respond to steering inputs quickly and precisely. Especially worthy of praise is the twin-cam V6 that powers the SE model. It's smoother, quieter, and feels stronger than engines offered by most of the Maxima's rivals. It propels the Maxima SE to 60 mph in under 9.0 seconds with the manual transmission, while the GXE equipped with the mannerly 4-speed automatic performs the task in about 10.5 seconds. The interior has ample head room in front and back, plus enough leg room for tall people to stretch out comfortably. Our only complaints focus on the slow addition of airbags--dual airbags didn't become standard until 1995.
Value for the Money
This verdict is a simple one: the Maxima heads our must-drive list of near-luxury sedans from the early 1990s.
This verdict is a simple one: the Maxima heads our must-drive list of near-luxury sedans from the early 1990s.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Nissan Maxima SE Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 7 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 5 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 4 | |
| Value within Class | 7 | |
| Total Score: | 54 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Nissan Maxima includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Nissan Maxima .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Airbags:
A voluntary recall was issued to replace an airbag sensor to reduce the possibility of the bag deploying when it is not needed. (1992-93)
Automatic transmission:
Burnt transmission fluid and no reverse gear may signal a defective rear-control valve and low/reverse brake. (1993-94)
Automatic transmission:
If the transmission does not shift properly until warmed up, make sure it is filled only with Nissanmatic "C" transmission fluid. (all)
Clutch:
The clutch plate, pressure plate, and release fork must be replaced if there is clutch judder. (1990-92)
Coolant leak:
Coolant may leak from the front of the cylinder head, which may appear to be a head gasket, but comes from a threaded plug in the front of the head. (1990-94)
Engine noise:
Noise from the top of the engine can be traced to a problem with the spring assembly in the variable-valve timing control (VTC). (1992-94)
Heater core:
Poor heater performance is likely after the coolant is changed due to air trapped in the heater core. (1990)
Manual transmission:
If the manual transmission slips, the clutch disc will be replaced with a revised one. (1994)
Rough idle:
Idle fluctuation may result from the use of the wrong air filter, or if the original air-filter housing was not replaced with a revised unit for a funnel-shaped filter. (1990)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $655 |
| Alternator | $240 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $935 |
| Brakes | $190 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $545 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $475 |
| Exhaust System | $315 |
| Radiator | $500 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $1,385 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $370 |
Our price chart for this generation Nissan Maxima details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1994 | |||
| Maxima | $1,800-2,400 | $1,200-1,600 | $300-400 |
| 1993 | |||
| Maxima | $1,500-2,000 | $1,000-1,300 | $200-300 |
| 1992 | |||
| Maxima | $1,300-1,800 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
| 1991 | |||
| Maxima | $1,100-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| 1990 | |||
| Maxima | $1,000-1,400 | $600-900 | $100-200 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Nissan Maxima include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 104.3 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 187.6 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 69.3 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 55.1 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3129 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 14.5 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 18.5 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.5 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 43.7 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 36.9 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 33.2 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Both Maxima models are powered by 3.0-liter V6 engine. Initially, both SE and GXE came fitted with the single-overhead-cam version, producing 160 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 182 pound-feet of torque at 2800 rpm. However, since 1992 the sportier SE version comes equipped with a 24-valve, double-overhead-cam version of the engine. The upgraded powerplant boost output to 190 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 190 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. The SE comes with either a manual 5-speed transmission or no-cost 4-speed automatic. The automatic is the only transmission provided on Maxima GXE models.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc V6 | 3.0 / 181 | 160 | 182 | 5-speed manual: 20/26 4-speed automatic: 19/26 |
5-speed manual: 20.4 4-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc V6 | 3.0 / 181 | 190 | 190 | 5-speed manual: 21/26 4-speed automatic: 19/25 |
5-speed manual: 21.9 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Japan
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Nissan Maxima include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1994 Maxima |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 3 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 3 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1994 Nissan Maxima directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1990-94 registered in CT, DE, DC, IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WI, and WV:
Mixture of mud and salt could become trapped between fuel-filler tube and wheel housing; corrosion could result in fuel leakage.
1992-93 w/driver-side airbag:
In some underbody impacts, sensor activates and causes airbag to inflate when not needed.
1993-94 GXE w/aluminum wheels:
Excessive clear-coating may position wheel nuts too far away from hub when tightened.
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