1995-1999 Nissan Maxima Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Nissan Maxima. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Nissan Maxima.

1995-1999 Nissan Maxima Review

Nissan's largest passenger car was redesigned for arrival as an early '95 model. Front-wheel drive, V6 power, and 4-door sedan styling continued, but the new design was more rounded on a longer wheelbase. Model choices now numbered three, with the addition of a luxury GLE. Also available were a base GXE sedan, plus a sporty SE with a rear spoiler, firmer suspension, and wider tires. All Maximas shared a new aluminum 3.0-liter V6 with dual-overhead camshafts, rated at 190 horsepower. The GXE and SE came with a 5-speed manual transmission. An electronically controlled 4-speed automatic was optional on those models and standard on the GLE. Antilock brakes were optional on all except the 5-speed GXE.

Year to Year Changes

1996 Nissan Maxima: The GLE edition added a 4-way power seat for the front passenger, which was also newly optional in the SE. Also, a large cupholder was installed in the central console.

1997 Nissan Maxima: Maximas earned a facelift for 1997, led by a fresh front end with a different grille and brighter headlights. Rear ends wore new taillights and a redesigned trunklid.

1998 Nissan Maxima: Front side airbags are made available on SE and GLE versions of the Maxima.

1999 Nissan Maxima: Available traction control was the main addition as Nissan's flagship headed into the final year of its current design. All models also got minor trim revisions and a standard antitheft engine immobilizer. A redesigned, more-powerful Maxima debuted in spring 1999, as an early 2000 model.

1995-1999 Nissan Maxima Road Test

Pros	Cons

Optional antilock brakes	Rear-seat comfort

Acceleration	Fuel economy

Steering/handling

Ride

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Performance leads off the car's strong points, ranking as little short of stunning. We timed a GXE with the automatic transmission at 7.9 seconds to 60 mph. Tromp the gas pedal to the floor, and a Maxima nearly leaps ahead. Only modest engine roar is heard on such occasions, as the Maxima is otherwise quiet-running. Passing power also is impressive, but the automatic unit is slow to downshift for passing at times, and occasionally shifts harshly. As for fuel economy, we averaged 24.1 mpg with one GXE and 21.4 mpg with another. Maxima offers a comfortable and stable ride, precise steering, and crisp handling. Body lean is noticeable in high-speed lane changes and when cornering swiftly, but the Maxima maintains a tight grip on the road surface. Maxima feels really big inside--more so than its outside appearance suggests. With a little more head room and rear leg room than its predecessor, the latest Maxima is more accommodating for tall passengers. The wide trunk has a flat floor that provides plenty of cargo space. Instruments and controls are well-positioned and easy to see and use while driving. The low dashboard permits a great view of the road ahead. Stereo and climate controls are in a slanted panel that's easy to reach. Round analog gauges are large.

Value for the Money
If you're searching for a midsize sedan that reaches above the run-of-the-mill offerings, a Maxima of any 1995-99 vintage is definitely worth a trial run.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Nissan Maxima SE automatic	Rating

Performance	6

Fuel Economy	3

Ride Quality	6

Steering/Handling/Braking	5

Quietness	6

Controls/Materials	6

Interior Room	6

Room/Comfort (rear)	4

Cargo Capacity	4

Value within Class	6

Total:	52

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.

1995-1999 Nissan Maxima Reliability

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.

Automatic transmission: The original automatic-transmission (model F04) shift solenoids allowed slipping and premature wear. (1997)

Brake noise: Rear brakes rattle on rough road. (1995)

Brake noise: Groaning from the rear brakes is caused by the parking brakes not fully releasing, requiring new brake cables and pads. (1995-99)

Brake noise: Groaning from rear brakes at slow speeds may be due to binding parking brake cable. 1995-99)

Clutch: The clutch may slip when accelerating hard in 4th or 5th gear due to a problem with the friction material. (1995)

Engine knock: Spark knock or ping may result from a defective onboard computer. (1995-97)

Engine noise: Noise from the front of the engine may be caused by excessive play in the timing chain for which a new tensioner and chain guide are required. (1995-96)

Hard starting: Hard starting, stalling, or stumbling under load could be caused by corrosion of the coolant sensor. (1995-96)

Hard starting: If the engine does not start on the first attempt, the engine may crank very slowly on the second attempt because of a problem with the engine-control computer. (1995)

Rough idle: Several problems (no-start, no A/C, rough running, etc.) can be traced to broken wires in the engine compartment where the harness bends near the right strut tower. (1995-97)

Rough idle: Rough running engine accompanied by check engine light may require revised powertrain control module. (1997)

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	$625

Alternator	$450

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$1,080

Brakes	$210

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$515

Constant Velocity Joints	$1,145

Exhaust System	$375

Radiator	$445

Shocks and/or Struts	$1,530

Timing Chain or Belt	$1,305

NHTSA Recall History

1997-98: One of the diodes in the alternator may be damaged and could fail, leading to an electrical short which could melt the plastic housing.

1995-1999 Nissan Maxima Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1995
Maxima	$2,400-3,200	$1,700-2,300	$500-600

1996
Maxima	$2,900-3,700	$2,200-2,800	$700-900

1997
Maxima	$3,400-4,300	$2,700-3,400	$900-1,100

1998
Maxima	$4,000-5,100	$3,300-4,200	$1,300-1,600

1999
Maxima	$4,800-6,000	$4,000-5,000	$1,800-2,300

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.

1995-1999 Nissan Maxima Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	106.3

Overall Length, in.	187.7

Overall Width, in.	69.7

Overall Height, in.	55.7

Curb Weight, lbs.	3001

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	14.5

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.5

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	40.1

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	43.9

Rear Head Room, in.	37.4

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	34.3

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

All Maximas have the same engine: a 3.0-liter, twin-cam V6 that develops 190 horsepower. A 5-speed manual gearbox has been standard on the GXE and SE, with 4-speed automatic optional. The GLE came only with the automatic transmission.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

dohc V6	3.0 / 181	190	205	5-speed manual: 22/27 4-speed automatic: 21/28	5-speed manual: 24.1 4-speed automatic: 21.4

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1999 Maxima

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

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%. Side-impact 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%.

Built In: Japan

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 1995-1999 Nissan Maxima Review:

Nissan Maxima

Nissan Maxima Road Test

Nissan Maxima Reliability

Nissan Maxima Prices

Nissan Maxima Specs & Safety

Nissan Maxima Photos

Nissan Maxima Full Review