It dosent matter what car you drive, they all have their own design flaws. This is certainly not isolated to the 2001 Nissan Maxima. Althoough being a top car to drive and own, things do occasionally go wrong
.As i have personally discovered, with ceretain problems, some can cost you some big dollars, while others are simply cosmetic, and you can still drive around with little worry to your car breaking down.
2001 Nissan Maxima Problems: This list, yes, unfortunately there is a list, will be from least serious to most serious. Lets get started.
Problem 1:Interior. On top of the dashboard, there is a sunglass cover. After a while, this cover will eventually break. There is a spring latch which just breaks off.
I have tried gluing it, but it still dosent work because the spring tension is too much for the glue to hold..I have been to the wreckers, but thats a lost cause, as the sunglass covers are all broken.
Nissan wanted around 700$ for this piece of plastic. If anyone knows where we can get one at a decent price, please leave it in the comments below. Id like to know myself. This seems to be a design flaw, but ive learned to live with it.
Its not a big issue, its just annoying, and makes the car look untidy. After a while, i just took it off, as the constant rubbing plastic vibration noise was driving me nuts.
Problem 2 Oil Leaks. After a while, the oil dipstick will eventually leak oil. The rubber grommet over time wears, allowing oil to drip out. If the dipstick dosent feel tight, or you think the grommet might need replacing, do so.
Another place for common oil leaks, is around the corners of the valve covers. If they look dirty, black and oily, there is an oil leak in these spots, but especially where there is rtv sealant. This sealant can get old, and leaks are gauranteed.
Why does this matter? Call it another design flaw, but you will notice the alternator has been placed virtually right underneath the valve cover corners, and right near the oil dipstick. Now, im not a brain surgeon, but you don’t need to be one to work out after a while, this can cause some major headaches you just do not need.
You guessed it, the alternator was taken out by this oil dripping down onto it. This dosen’t happen righ away, you get plenty of warning. You will start to hear a funny whirring sound,.
The alternator is a fairly easy part to replace, which was the best course of action once there was a black sooty coating all around it., indicating to me its brown trousers time, and some action needed to be taken.
Problem 3; Coolant leaks past the bypass valve gasket, taking out the cars computer. You heard me correctly everyone. The Maxima has a coolant bypass valve, when the car is cold, this valve keeps the butterfly valve from freezing shut in colder climates
When the valve gasket starts to wear out, and actually becomes brittle, coolant makes its way past the gasket, and enters the solenoid motor.
What happens next is rather nasty and unexpected.. A little puff of smoke, followed by an electronic burning smell. Theres no mistaking that smell.
At first, i had no idea what was happening. When i got to work, and shut off the car, and tried to restart it, it would not start. I had to press on the accelerator to start the car. This means the coolant had taken out a section of the computer which controls the i.a.c.v. meaning idle air control valve.
You can still drive the car, but you have no control over fuel economy. This little problem cost around 2000$ all up. Its certainly a lot of money to anyone.
I make it part of my routine maintenance to inspect the solenoid motor. ITs just 2 littlke screws, and iits out. Just takes a second to inspect. Say around every six months or so. Its not part of the routine inspection, but ive made it a part of it, a rather important part.
These are the three main issues i have experienced with my car. If you can think of any others, please leave them in the comments below. , and i will be more than happy to help you out.
As always, thankyou fo rreeading.
Doug
repairyourowncar.com
