1982 Nissan Maxima problems

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The Nissan Maxima is a car manufactured and marketed by Nissan and offered as Nissan's flagship sedan primarily in North America, the Middle East, South Korea, and China—and currently in its eighth generation. Having debuted for model year 1982 as the Datsun Maxima, it replaced the earlier Datsun 810. The name Maxima dates to the 1981 model year when Datsun marketed the upscale 810 as the 810 Maxima in North America. Like the 810, early versions of the Maxima had their origins in the Datsun/Nissan Bluebird. It is renamed to Nissan Maxima when the Datsun brand was phased out for the 1985 model year.

The Maxima was marketed as an upscale alternative to the Altima and prior to 1993, the Stanza, distinguished by features such as a premium interior and V6 engine. Most Maximas were built in Oppama, Japan, until North American assembly began in Smyrna, Tennessee for the 2004 model year.

For the US and Canada, Nissan ended production of the Maxima in July 2023.

Outside North America, the Maxima nameplate has also been applied to variants or trim levels of several other models.

1982 Nissan Maxima

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Common 1982 Nissan Maxima problems

The Nissan Maxima, first introduced in 1981, is known for its reliability and durability. However, like any vehicle, it has some common problems that owners have reported over the years. Here are some of the most common issues with the Nissan Maxima, specifically focusing on the 1982 model:

  • Transmission Malfunction and Failure: Another common problem with the 1982 Nissan Maxima is transmission malfunction and failure. This issue can manifest in several ways, including difficulty shifting gears, slipping gears, and complete transmission failure.
  • Faulty Front-Seat Wire Harness: The 1982 Nissan Maxima is also known for a faulty front-seat wire harness, which can cause problems with the vehicle's electrical system. This issue can lead to problems with the power windows, power locks, and other electrical components in the vehicle.
  • Ignition Coil Failure: Older Nissan Maxima models, including the 1982 model, are known to have ignition coil failure. This issue can cause the check engine light to turn on and can also damage other coils in the vehicle. The cost of replacing the ignition coil can range from $500 to over $660, depending on labor and component pricing.
  • Power Steering Pump Leak: The 1982 Nissan Maxima is also known for a power steering pump issue that can be difficult to diagnose. The most common symptoms of this issue include noisy and unstable steering caused by power steering pump leaks. The leaking fluid can drip on the lower control arm bushing, causing deterioration and failure. Overall vehicle control may be affected in extreme cases, so it's best to get the vehicle checked by a mechanic as soon as possible.

It's important to note that these common problems do not necessarily mean that the Nissan Maxima is an unreliable vehicle. With proper maintenance and regular inspections, many of these issues can be prevented or addressed before they become major problems. However, it's always a good idea to be aware of potential issues with any vehicle, especially when considering a used car purchase.

1982 Nissan Maxima engine

What is the main problem with Nissan Maxima?

RepairPal gave the Nissan Maxima a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, ranking it 9th out of 32 car brands in the same category. The Nissan Maxima suffers from a few common problems, including a leaking and low-pressure air conditioning hose, transmission malfunction and failure, and a faulty front-seat wire harness.

What is the oldest Nissan Maxima?

The first-generation Nissan Maxima featured the engine of a 240Z, standard 5-speed transmission and rear-wheel drive.

Why did they stop making Nissan Maxima?

With many modern drivers preferring SUVs and crossovers to sedans, as well as the rise in popularity of electric vehicles, the automaker decided to scale back sedan production to other models, thereby discontinuing the Maxima.

Is a Nissan Maxima luxury?

2023 Nissan Maxima - Sporty Luxury Sedan - Details and Specs - Rairdon.

1982 Nissan Maxima car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Nissan Maxima problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Fuel system problems
  • Gasoline problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1982 Nissan Maxima vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1982 Nissan Maxima complaints

The NHTSA has received 4 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1982 Nissan Maxima.

1999-01-11

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: THE FUEL INJECTORS HAVE BEEN LEAKING FUEL TOWARDS THE EXHAUST WITH A POTENTIAL FOR FIRE. DEALER SAYS INJECTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
1997-06-25

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-06-21
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: JNLHU01S3CT
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, DRIVER NOTICED HEAVY BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF VEHICLE; DRIVER PULLED OFF FREEWAY & VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED & PUT FLAMES OUT, HAD VEHICLE TOWED & MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. *AK
1997-02-10

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-01-31
  • Fire: 1
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: DROVE ONE AND HALF MILE AND 2 TO 3MINUTES AFTER BEING PARKED THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE BECAUSE OF A LEAKING FUEL PUMP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
1996-07-30

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-06-30
  • VIN: 4N1HVC1S1CT
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: TWO FUEL INJECTORS LEAKING GASOLINE ONTO ENGINE. *SD
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1982 Nissan Maxima problems:

82 Max Diesel - Maxima Forums
82 Max Diesel - Maxima Forums
https://maxima.org/forums/1st-2nd-generation-maxima-1981-1984-1985-1988/178070-82-max-diesel.html

Aug 28, 2003 ... ... Nissan engine, which is like a bigger version of the SD22 engine in the Nissan pickups, but without turbo. Also, besides owning a 1982 ...

common maxima problems | Nissan Forum
common maxima problems | Nissan Forum
https://www.nissanforums.com/threads/common-maxima-problems.28223/

Jul 9, 2003 ... i am in the market for a 1995-1999 maxima. i was wondering what kind of problems should i be lookin for in these cars?

A34 Nissan Maxima Suspension Problems - Maxima Forums
A34 Nissan Maxima Suspension Problems - Maxima Forums
https://maxima.org/forums/6th-generation-maxima-2004-2008/590122-a34-nissan-maxima-suspension-problems.html

May 13, 2009 ... ... Maxima GLE (RIP), 2004 Maxima SL (Lemon), 2005 Maxima SE Auto Premium; wife: 1982 Honda Civic, 1996 Nissan Sentra, 2002 Toyota Corolla. And ...

The 1986 Nissan Maxima Was a High-Tech 1980s Sport Sedan ...
The 1986 Nissan Maxima Was a High-Tech 1980s Sport Sedan ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/cars/comments/opgqan/the_1986_nissan_maxima_was_a_hightech_1980s_sport/

Jul 22, 2021 ... Problem is, all that excitement wasn't making money. That's how they got to be in debt to the tune of $20 billion in 1999 before Renault stepped ...

1980-86 Bronco Most common Problems | Bronco Forum - Full Size ...
1980-86 Bronco Most common Problems | Bronco Forum - Full Size ...
https://www.fullsizebronco.com/threads/1980-86-bronco-most-common-problems.34167/

Feb 13, 2005 ... I also visit a Nissan Maxima forum that has this and it is nice. Bronco is sold to another member but the memory will live on. I still come ...

Other years of Nissan Maxima

nissan maxima 1983 photo
Maxima 1983
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nissan maxima 1984 photo
Maxima 1984
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40

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nissan maxima 1985 photo
Maxima 1985
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61

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nissan maxima 1986 photo
Maxima 1986
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67

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nissan maxima 1987 photo
Maxima 1987
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188

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nissan maxima 1988 photo
Maxima 1988
Nissan

68

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1982 Nissan Maxima photo