Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 169 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 26 | 15% |
| Seats | 19 | 11% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 16 | 9% |
| Structure | 13 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 7% |
| Power train | 8 | 5% |
| Visibility | 7 | 4% |
| Steering | 7 | 4% |
| Equipment | 7 | 4% |
| Tires | 6 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THE LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT, AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FRAME NEEDED FOR ALIGNMENT AND TO HOLD UP THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS RUSTED THROUGH. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT ON NISSAN FORUMS. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Structure
LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT, WHICH CONNECTS TO FRONT MOTOR MOUNT, ROTS THROUGH. THIS CAUSES FRONT MOTOR MOUNT TO DROP DOWN. SUPPORT IS INTEGRAL TO CHASSIS STRUCTURE AND ALIGNMENT. SUPPORT HAD TO BE REPLACED. COMMON ISSUE ON 1
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEEDS, IT WOULD STALL WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN MAXIMA. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL COVER WHERE THE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED. HE WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 THUM
NHTSA complaint: Structure
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE TIRE WAS CHANGED. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTOMOTIVE SHOP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, BUT THEY
NHTSA complaint: Tires
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
1995 MAXIMA HAS A MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, THE CAR HAD A FIRE ERUPTING INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN CAUSED BY A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN . THE MANUFACTURER SAID ITS NOTHING UNUSUAL. IN OTHER WORD
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1995 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.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND A
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
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.
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.
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 76 | good |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 37 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 169 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 26 of them (15%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 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 70/100. 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.