Differential Unit Problems of Nissan Maxima

Nissan Maxima owners have reported 3 problems related to differential unit (under the power train category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Nissan Maxima based on all problems reported for the Maxima.

1 Differential Unit problem of the 2004 Nissan Maxima

Failure Date: 01/08/2009

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. While driving between 35-45 mph on normal road conditions, the transmission slipped without warning. In addition, there was erratic shifting between gears. When the gear shifter was moved from drive into reverse, an excessive jerking motion occurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection and it was discovered that the cv axle differential failed. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 95,000 and current mileage was 106,000.

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2 Differential Unit problem of the 1996 Nissan Maxima

Failure Date: 09/20/2004

Check engine light stayed on even after routine maintenance was done. The cruise control stopped working after the 1st year I bought it. In the 5 years I have owned the car, the starter has been replaced twice, the differential was replaced, tie rod ends were replaced, struts were replaced, a new muffler/tail pipe was replaced, and this year, 2 oil leaks developed, 1 inside the engine. The mechanic said this was a defect of Nissan, not anything that I did or didn't do. It cost over $700 to fix the leaks. The leaks blew out the sensors, and the car didn't pass the emissions. I spent another $850 in getting new sensors. Once the sensors were replaced, the mechanic said there was a short in the fuel injector and he had to replace that. There is still a short in the car somewhere as one of the back lights turns off and on when it feels like it, as does the light for the radio console (which its the original radio that came with the car, so it's not like someone messed around with it. ) after replacing the sensors, the check engine light came on after the 2nd emissions test, which it rejected the car because it wasn't ready yet. The mechanic spent 7 (yes, seven) days trying to figure out what was wrong with the car, only to replace the entire dash board. After 1 day of driving, the check engine light came on again. No one can seem to figure out why the check engine light is on. Now the car feels unsafe when I'm driving it, as when the car hits 20 mph and 40 mph, the car jerks to the right and I have to concentrate on making sure I don't hit anyone. No one can seem to figure out what that is either. The fan is starting to sound loud when the air/heat is on or when the car is idle (stopped at a light) and the air only gets cold when its cool outside, not when it's hot. I spent $22,000 buying this car, and about another $5000 in repairs to date and its not yet 10 yrs. Old.

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3 Differential Unit problem of the 1997 Nissan Maxima

Failure Date: 02/09/2000

The differential spline gear scored from the axle is disengaging from the transmission, causing transmission failure, consumer wants reimbursement for cost of transmission and rental car service.

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