VehicleVerdict

1994 Nissan Maxima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1994 Nissan Maxima sits mid-pack among Maxima years: 128 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 127, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (29), engine (19), and visibility & wipers (18), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

128

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1994 compare to other Maxima years?

Maxima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 highlighted1,725 complaints1982: 4 complaints1983: 8 complaints1984: 40 complaints1985: 64 complaints1986: 74 complaints1987: 194 complaints1988: 73 complaints1989: 78 complaints1990: 138 complaints1991: 99 complaints1992: 140 complaints1993: 102 complaints1994: 128 complaints1995: 195 complaints1996: 117 complaints1997: 123 complaints1998: 133 complaints1999: 215 complaints2000: 467 complaints2001: 225 complaints2002: 278 complaints2003: 249 complaints2004: 1,725 complaints2005: 1,152 complaints2006: 733 complaints2007: 169 complaints2008: 99 complaints2009: 460 complaints2010: 399 complaints2011: 138 complaints2012: 137 complaints2013: 71 complaints2014: 126 complaints2015: 2 complaints2016: 224 complaints2017: 154 complaints2018: 46 complaints2019: 28 complaints2020: 33 complaints2021: 4 complaints2022: 6 complaints2023: 2 complaints
Maxima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Maxima years to avoid →

What are the most common 1994 Nissan Maxima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System2923%
Engine1915%
Visibility & Wipers1814%
Electrical System1310%
Transmission97%
Airbags65%
Body & Structure65%
Brakes54%
Seat Belts54%
Other43%
Speed Control43%
Suspension32%
Tires & Wheels32%
Seats22%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 1994 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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 DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

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.

95V244000Fuel SystemDecember 15, 1995 · 747,000 units

Defect

IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A MIXTURE OF MUD AND SALT TO GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND WHEEL HOUSING. THE TRAPPED MUD AND SALT CAN RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND THE WHEEL HOUSING.

Consequence

SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE MAY RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. IN ADDITION, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS MOUNTED TO THE WHEEL HOUSING AND IN THE EVENT OF SIGNIFICANT CORROSION, AND THE MOUNTING COULD FAIL IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN DEPENDING UPON THE EXTENT OF THE CORROSION.

94V194000Tires & WheelsOctober 5, 1994 · 97,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE THE HUB BOLTS TO BREAK AND RESULT IN THE WHEEL SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

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 TIGHTENED. WHEELS, HUB BOLTS, AND NUTS WILL BE REPLACED IF NECESSARY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“RECALL RELATED, VEHICLE REPAIRED ON 11-7-96, VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOUR DAYS, TRUNK AND REAR INSIDE COMPARTMENT FIRE, FUEL FILLER NECK PIPE 95V244. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 28, 1996 · fire

“CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALLS 95V244000 AND 94V194000 REPAIRS CONCERNING WHEELS AND THE FUEL FILLER. CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR THE LABOR, AND THE REPAIRS ON THE WHEELS WAS NOT PERFORMED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. A BROKE VACUUM LINE CAUSED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 17, 2003

“PLASTIC PARTS ON WINDOW REGULAR FAILED CAUSING WINDOW TO FALL INSIDE DOOR, CAR HAS A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN IDELING ESPECIALLY IN COOLER MONTHS,BUMPED CONSOLE GEAR SHIFT WHILE DRIVING AND PUSHED CAR OUT OF GEAR (2), CAR SOMETIMES HESITATES WHEN PUT IN GEAR OR LUNGES WHEN PUT IN GEAR, TRUCK LATCH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · February 1, 2000

“BOSE STEREO FAILS TO WORK IN THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED. IT WILL START WORKING AFTER ONE HOUR OF DRIVING. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 1, 1996

“PLASTIC PARTS ON WINDOW REGULAR FAILED CAUSING WINDOW TO FALL INSIDE DOOR, CAR HAS A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN IDELING ESPECIALLY IN COOLER MONTHS,BUMPED CONSOLE GEAR SHIFT WHILE DRIVING AND PUSHED CAR OUT OF GEAR (2), CAR SOMETIMES HESITATES WHEN PUT IN GEAR OR LUNGES WHEN PUT IN GEAR, TRUCK LATCH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 1, 2000

1994 Nissan Maxima — common questions

Is the 1994 Nissan Maxima reliable?

It is close to typical for the Maxima: 128 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1994 Maxima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (29 complaints), engine (19 complaints), visibility & wipers (18 complaints).

Does the 1994 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1994 Nissan Maxima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Maxima years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Maxima years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2006, 2000, 2009, 2010, 2002, 2003, 2001, 2016, 1999, 1995, 1987. The cleanest record among Maxima years belongs to 2023.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.