Nissan Maxima ReliabilityAll Years Ranked (1981–2025)
Side-by-side AutoScores, risk levels, and owner-cost projections for every Nissan Maxima we've analyzed. Identify the best years to buy, the ones to avoid, and the problems that follow the Maxima across generations.
Average AutoScore
77/100
Best Year
1991 Nissan Maxima
Score 88
Weakest Year
1988 Nissan Maxima
Score 68
Every Nissan Maxima Ranked
Sorted by AutoScore. Each link opens the full year-specific report.
A surprisingly resilient classic sedan that, with proper care, still offers exceptional value and reliability.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Ignition System / Distributor · A/C System Components
A testament to Japanese engineering, this Maxima is a durable workhorse, just watch for age-related wear on peripherals.
Top risks: Engine Sensors · Power Steering System · Suspension Components
A powerhouse engine paired with solid construction makes this Maxima an enduringly reliable choice, despite a few common age-related pitfalls.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Body Rust & Corrosion · Engine Sensors & Ignition
A remarkably capable and comfortable sedan from the 90s that offers superb value, but demands careful inspection of its automatic transmission.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Ignition System (Coil Packs) · Rust and Corrosion
A comfortable and potent sedan with a long-standing engine, but the CVT demands careful consideration for long-term ownership.
Top risks: Transmission (CVT) · Electrical/Infotainment · Front Suspension Components
A powerful, comfortable sedan that's a good value, provided you understand and manage the inherent risks of its CVT.
Top risks: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) · Infotainment System · Suspension Components
A powerful, comfortable sedan that offers a lot for the money, provided you understand and mitigate the inherent risks of its CVT.
Top risks: Xtronic CVT Transmission · Infotainment System · Front Suspension Components
A surprisingly resilient classic, the '87 Maxima is a great vintage choice if you can find one free of major rust and with a well-documented maintenance history.
Top risks: Body & Chassis Rust · Automatic Transmission · Electrical System
A testament to 90s Japanese engineering, this Maxima offers impressive long-term value, but don't underestimate age-related wear.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission (RE4F02A) · Rust and Body Corrosion · Suspension & Steering Components
A vintage Nissan workhorse, offering surprising longevity if its age-related wear is thoroughly inspected and addressed.
Top risks: Engine Oil Leaks & Distributor · Suspension & Steering Components · Electrical Accessories & Wiring
A surprisingly resilient and enjoyable sedan, but demand a rust-free example with meticulous service history to truly shine.
Top risks: Body & Structure (Rust) · Automatic Transmission · Electronic Engine Controls
A powerful and comfortable sedan with a bulletproof engine, but common leaks and aging electronics can lead to a few headaches.
Top risks: Engine Oil Leaks · Power Steering System · Electrical Accessories
A mechanically sound classic often fighting a losing battle against rust and aging electronics.
Top risks: Body & Chassis Rust · Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) · Electrical System
A comfortable, nostalgic cruiser, but age-related rust and electrical woes demand diligent pre-purchase scrutiny.
Top risks: Rust and Body Corrosion · Electrical System & Power Accessories · Automatic Transmission
A fun, sturdy classic that can still deliver, but requires a keen eye for age-related issues and a commitment to preventative maintenance.
Top risks: Electrical System · Suspension & Steering · Corrosion & Rust
A fun, comfortable classic with a great engine, but expect the battle against time and rust to be your primary adversary.
Top risks: Body & Structure (Rust) · Electrical System · Fuel Delivery System
A testament to 90s Japanese engineering, the 1992 Maxima is a durable classic but demands attention to age-related wear and tear.
Top risks: Electrical System · Suspension & Steering · Automatic Transmission (RE4R01A)
A fun-to-drive sedan that offers great value, provided you navigate its significant automatic transmission risks.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Ignition System · Suspension Components
A fun-to-drive sedan, but its automatic transmission is a looming financial risk that must be thoroughly evaluated before purchase.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Engine Ignition System · Suspension & Steering Components
A powerful and comfortable sedan, but the automatic transmission is a significant liability.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission (RE4F04B) · Engine Sensors (Cam/Crankshaft Position) · Front Suspension Components
A powerful, comfortable sedan that provides great value, but demands a vigilant approach to maintenance and inspection to mitigate known weaknesses.
Top risks: Electrical System · Automatic Transmission (5-Speed) · Suspension & Steering
A powerful and comfortable sedan, but its transmission is a ticking time bomb without diligent maintenance and careful pre-purchase vetting.
Top risks: CVT Transmission · Electrical System · Suspension Components
A powerful and stylish sedan, but proceed with caution due to the high-risk transmission.
Top risks: Xtronic CVT Transmission · Suspension Components · Electrical & Infotainment
A spirited sedan undermined by the persistent, expensive shadow of its continuously variable transmission.
Top risks: CVT Transmission · Electrical System · Suspension Components
A comfortable V6 sedan that punches above its weight, but requires vigilance regarding its transmission.
Top risks: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) · Electrical Systems (Infotainment/Sensors) · Suspension Components
A powerful, comfortable sedan that demands vigilant CVT care to avoid future heartbreak.
Top risks: Xtronic CVT Transmission · Electrical System & Sensors · Suspension Components
A bold step into the EV future for Maxima, but anticipate early model year challenges with its sophisticated tech.
Top risks: High-Voltage Electrical System · Infotainment & Software · Battery Management System
A spirited sedan that requires vigilant maintenance and a thorough inspection to ensure its longevity.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Engine Oil Consumption · Valve Cover Gaskets & Timing Cover Leaks
A sporty, comfortable sedan with a powerful engine, but its transmission is a ticking time bomb that can quickly turn a good deal sour.
Top risks: CVT Transmission · Front Suspension Components · Electrical/Sensor Issues
A sturdy, comfortable classic, but be prepared to wage war against rust and electrical quirks.
Top risks: Body & Chassis Rust · Electrical System · Fuel System
A charming classic for enthusiasts willing to commit to age-related restoration and diligent preventative care.
Top risks: Body & Chassis Rust · Fuel/Carburetor System (if applicable) & Vacuum Lines · Electrical System & Wiring
A charming and surprisingly resilient 1980s sedan that demands a proactive approach to age-related maintenance and rust prevention.
Top risks: Body & Chassis Rust · Electrical System · Suspension & Steering
A charming, well-built relic of the 80s, but only for the dedicated owner prepared for its age-related challenges.
Top risks: Body & Chassis Rust · Electrical System · Automatic Transmission
A comfortable and powerful sedan whose long-term ownership experience is entirely dependent on its problematic CVT.
Top risks: CVT Transmission · Suspension Components · Electrical Sensors & Modules
A stylish, powerful sedan whose main Achilles' heel is its potentially problematic CVT, demanding cautious ownership.
Top risks: Xtronic CVT Transmission · Infotainment/Electrical System · Front Suspension Components
A charming classic that requires dedicated care and a healthy repair budget to keep reliably on the road.
Top risks: Body & Chassis Rust · Automatic Transmission (RE4R01A) · Electrical System
A powerful and stylish sedan severely undermined by a highly unreliable transmission, making it a gamble.
Top risks: Xtronic CVT Transmission · Engine Variable Timing System · Electrical System
A powerful and comfortable sedan, but the pervasive CVT issues make it a gamble.
Top risks: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) · Electrical System · Suspension Components
A potent engine is overshadowed by a problematic transmission, making this an expensive gamble for long-term ownership.
Top risks: Xtronic CVT Transmission · Power Steering System · Electrical System & Sensors
A comfortable, powerful sedan whose longevity is directly tied to the health of its continuously variable transmission, demanding a cautious approach.
Top risks: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) · Electrical System · Suspension & Steering Components
A comfortable, powerful sedan that stands on shaky ground due to its problematic Continuously Variable Transmission.
Top risks: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) · Electrical System · Suspension & Steering Components
A sporty, comfortable sedan that comes with the significant caveat of its problematic Xtronic CVT.
Top risks: CVT Transmission · Power Steering System · Electrical/Sensors
A powerful and comfortable sedan with a significant transmission liability that can quickly turn a bargain into a money pit.
Top risks: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) · Electrical System · Suspension Components
A powerful and comfortable sedan, but its Xtronic CVT is a ticking time bomb that demands extreme vigilance.
Top risks: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) · Electrical System · Suspension Components
A sleek, powerful sedan with a major transmission reliability asterisk.
Top risks: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) · Electrical System & Infotainment · Suspension Components
Problems That Follow the Maxima Across Generations
Issues that appear in the top-3 risks across multiple model years — the cost of ownership you can actually predict.
Electrical System
Appears in 18 model years · 40% of generations
Suspension Components
Appears in 13 model years · 29% of generations
Automatic Transmission
Appears in 10 model years · 22% of generations
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Appears in 8 model years · 18% of generations
Body & Chassis Rust
Appears in 7 model years · 16% of generations
Xtronic CVT Transmission
Appears in 6 model years · 13% of generations
Suspension & Steering Components
Appears in 5 model years · 11% of generations
Front Suspension Components
Appears in 5 model years · 11% of generations
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