Thinking about buying a used Nissan Maxima (1994–2014) in New Zealand? We've documented 11 known faults for this model spanning transmission, engine, fluid leaks, and suspension. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
11
Documented faults
Critical
Most serious
$850–$2,520
Typical repair
4
Systems covered
Known Nissan Maxima faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
01JATCO CVT wear on CVT-equipped J31/J32
CriticalOccasionalTransmission $3,500–$7,000 to fix
Where the J31/J32 Maxima is fitted with Nissan's CVT (RE0F09 family) it carries the usual JATCO risks - shudder, whine, hesitation and eventual failure, especially with neglected fluid. The V6 makes real torque, which stresses the belt and pulleys. Not every Maxima of this era is a CVT, so confirm the drivetrain; a CVT with no fluid history is a major-cost gamble.
Symptoms to notice
Shudder accelerating gently from low speed
Whine rising with speed
Hesitation moving off
Jerk between drive and reverse
Loss of drive
What to check
Confirm whether the car is a CVT or conventional auto. On a CVT, drive from cold and hot feeling for shudder and slip, and ask for CVT fluid-change receipts.
Where to look: CVT transaxle (front) on CVT-equipped cars
Ask the seller
“Is this a CVT or conventional automatic?”
“When was the CVT fluid last changed?”
“Any shudder or slipping?”
02Front suspension bush and top-mount wear (A33)
MinorCommonSuspension $400–$1,400 to fix
As a comfort-focused sedan on the ageing A33 platform, the front lower control-arm bushes and strut top mounts wear out, giving knocks over bumps, vague steering and uneven front tyre wear. On imports that have covered high kilometres on rough roads the whole front end can feel loose. It is not catastrophic but it fails WoF and adds up once several parts need doing at once.
Symptoms to notice
Knock or clunk over bumps from the front
Vague or wandering steering
Uneven / feathered front tyre wear
Clonk when turning at low speed
What to check
Drive over a rough patch and listen for knocks; check for uneven front tyre wear. With the car parked, rock the steering and push down on each front corner feeling for play or clonks. A WoF check will flag worn bushes.
Where to look: Front lower control-arm bushes and strut top mounts
Ask the seller
“Have the front bushes or strut mounts been replaced?”
“Does the front end knock over bumps?”
EngineCritical
EngineCritical
TransmissionMajor
EngineMajor
TransmissionMajor
EngineMajor
Fluid LeaksMajor
EngineMajor
SuspensionMajor
9 more documented faults on the Nissan Maxima
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 11 documented faults for the Nissan Maxima, the recurring problem areas are transmission, engine, and fluid leaks. A Nissan Maxima with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used Nissan Maxima?
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We've catalogued 11 known faults for the Nissan Maxima, covering transmission, engine, and fluid leaks. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a Nissan Maxima?
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Most single repairs on the Nissan Maxima fall between $850–$2,520 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 11 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Nissan Maxima?
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Yes. A Nissan Maxima inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.