VehicleVerdict

1995 Nissan Maxima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 195 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.5 times the median Maxima year — the 1995 model ranks #12 of 42 Maxima years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (26), electrical system (24), and engine (23), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

195

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1995 compare to other Maxima years?

Maxima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1995 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, 1995 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Maxima years to avoid →

What are the most common 1995 Nissan Maxima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2613%
Electrical System2412%
Engine2312%
Seats2111%
Body & Structure179%
Transmission126%
Suspension105%
Visibility & Wipers95%
Steering84%
Brakes84%
Other74%
Fuel System74%
Tires & Wheels74%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)42%
Speed Control42%
Lighting42%
Seat Belts32%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 1995 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.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

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 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

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. 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

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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 SMASHED. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 1, 2005 · crash

“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 WORDS, ITS VERY NORMAL FOR AN 8 YEAR OLD CAR TO CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 18, 2004 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING FELT A JERK IN VEHICLE. OWNER PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, A SAW THAT THE ENGINE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 10, 1997 · fire

“DRIVER'S SEAT LIFT MOTOR FAILS INTERMITTENTLY AND SEAT DROPS TO LOWEST POSITION. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARSHLY FROM 1ST INTO 2ND. ALSO, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOES NOT DOWNSHIFT FROM 3RD GEAR UNLESS ACCELERATOR IS "FLOORED". -KS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · May 1, 1998

“HOOD SUPPORTS FAIL TO KEEP HOOD UP WHEN OPENED. HOOD SUDDENLY SLAMS SHUT WITHOUT WARNING. WILL CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AS HOOD IS HEAVY AND CLOSES WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO CHOP OFF FINGERS, ETC. REALLY DANGEROUS. DEALER SAYS NISSAN WON'T REPAIR, AND THAT SHOP MECHANICS USE A WOOD PROP BEFORE THEY WILL GET…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 1, 2000

1995 Nissan Maxima — common questions

Is the 1995 Nissan Maxima reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 195 complaints put the 1995 model at #12 of 42 Maxima years. It is one of the Maxima years to avoid.

What are the most common 1995 Maxima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (26 complaints), electrical system (24 complaints), engine (23 complaints).

Does the 1995 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1995 Nissan Maxima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1995 Nissan Maxima under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.