Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 1984 Nissan Maxima, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 29 | 73% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 5% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% |
| Structure | 1 | 3% |
| Visibility | 1 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1984 NISSAN MAXIMA SHE STATED THAT THE POWER LOCKS FAILED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HER TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES SHE WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND EXIT THE VEH
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
ODOR OF GASOLINE DEVELOPED, LEAKY FUEL INJECTORS, CAUSED BY FAULTY O-RING SEALS. 84 MODELS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TWO OF THE SIX FUEL INJECTORS APPEAR WET AND SMELL OF GASOLINE. I BELIEVE THEY ARE LEAKING A SMALL AMOUNT OF GAS. THE CAR ACCELERATES POORLY. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95I006000 COVERED 686,649 NISSAN MAXIMAS MANUFACTU
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THREE OR FOUR INJECTORS ARE LEAKING GAS ON THE ENGINE. HEAVY FUMES ARE NOTICED AROUND CAR . FUMES ARE ALSO ENTERING PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THERE IS A FUEL LEAKAGE WITHIN THE FUEL INJECTORS WHICH IS LEAKING DOWN ONTO THE ENGINE. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE FUEL INJECTORS ARE LEAKING, CAUSING FUEL TO GO ONTO THE ENGINE WHICH MAY CAUSE A FIRE. THERE IS AN IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN FOR 1985 MAXIMA'S, BUT NOT FOR THE 1984'S. DEALER SAID THAT THIS CAR DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE FIX
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
FUEL INJECTERS, NO., 1, 2, E, 4, 5, 6 BUSTED AND POURED OUT GASOLINE DAILY. DEALER STATES UNSAFE VEHICLE. DEALER REPAIRED TWO IN ONE MONTH. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN, DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
WHILE DRIVING FUEL INJECTION LEAKED FUEL INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT, COULD CAUSE AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 76 | good |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 29 of them (73%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1984 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.