Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 Nissan Maxima, and it carries 5 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 | 13 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 13% |
| Visibility | 12 | 12% |
| Structure | 7 | 7% |
| Air bags | 7 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4% |
| Power train | 4 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
SINCE I PURCHASED VEHICLE BACK IN 2007, THIS VEHICLE LEAKS GASOLINE WHEN FULL TANK IS FUELED. IT CREATES A LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL IN THE REAR UNDER THE FUEL NECK FILL PIPE. IT TAKES ABOUT 20 MILES OF DRIVING FOR THE LEAK T
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
VEHICLE: 1994 NISSAN MAXIMA (VIN# [XXX]) EVERY TIME I PUMP IN A FULL TANK OF FUEL AT THE GAS STATION, THE FUEL BEGINS TO LEAK AND CREATES A PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND WHEEL HOUSING IS
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
MY MAXIMA HAS A PLASTIC SHROUD AROUND THE FUEL FILLER NECK, PRESUMABLY TO PROTECT IT FROM ROAD DEBRIS, ROCKS, ETC, BLASTING THE FILLER NECK. UNFORTUNATELY, THE SHROUD TRAPS FINE DIRT AND MOISTURE. THIS INCLUDES WINTER RO
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER TRENDSETTER SE, SIZE P206/65R15 (NA) TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SAW A DEFECTIVE TREND IN SEVERAL COOPER TIRES THAT SHE PURCHASED. SHE BOUGHT FOU
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A, SIZE P245/45R18 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD A CRACKED SIDEWALL. GOODYEAR WAS NOTIFIED. THERE WAS A BUY
NHTSA complaint: Tires
THERE WAS A FAULTY FUEL LINE IN CONSUMERS 1994 NISSAN MAXIMA. *TS THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RADIATOR CAP AND TEMPERATURE SENSOR. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
FUEL TANK LEAKS DURING FILL-UPS AND IF CAR IS POSITIONED ON AN INCLINE.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN 2003 I GOT IT REBUILT IT WENT OUT AGAIN IN 2004 EVERY PERSON I KNOW OWN A 1991-1994 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS THESE PROBLEMS AND I DONT THINK ITS RIGHT.SO THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE CARS TRANSMIS
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1994 Nissan Maxima. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
THE ALUMINUM WHEELS WERE CLEAR COATED SEVERAL TIMES TO PROTECT THE METAL FINISH. SOME EXCESSIVE COATING CAN LEAVE THE WHEEL NUTS AN EXCESSIVE DISTANCE FROM THE WHEEL HUB WHEN TIGHTENED, ALLOWING THEM TO LOOSEN OVER TIME.
Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE THE HUB BOLTS TO BREAK AND RESULT IN THE WHEEL SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CLEAR PLASTIC COATING FROM THE BRAKE ROTOR MATING SURFACE ON THE BACK OF EACH WHEEL AND FROM THE WHEEL NUT MATING SURFACES. THE WHEELS WILL BE REINSTALLED AND THE WHEEL NUTS T
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 76 | good |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 13 of them (13%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) 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 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1994 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 71/100. 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.