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JDM · Fast & Furious cars · Nissan

Nissan Maxima A32 (1995–1999): specs, VQ30DE engine and what owners say

Nissan Maxima (A32) in metallic dark blue, AI illustration

Maxima SE A32 · 1995–1999

190horsepower
6.60–60 mph, sec

3.0-liter VQ30DE V6, 190 hp, front-drive. Restyled for 1997.

In the films

  • The Fast and the Furious (2001)Vince

    Vince’s blue fourth-generation Maxima. It was the technical advisor’s own car, with a supercharger that took it from 190 to about 260 hp.

Sold new in the US. Sold new in the US for model years 1995-1999.

On this site: Nissan Maxima, 2000 on

Film facts are plain text from the sources listed: no film stills, logos or likenesses. The picture above is an AI illustration of a stock car, not the film car. Every JDM car

Sources
  1. Wikipedia: Nissan Maxima
  2. Motor Authority: Deep dive: Vince’s Nissan Maxima from "The Fast and the Furious" (Sean Szymkowski, Jan 2020)
  3. Jalopnik: Here’s the backstory on that blue Maxima from The Fast and the Furious (Andrew P. Collins, Jul 2019)
  4. Driving Line: The cars that introduced us to the Fast & Furious family (Philip Cheng, Apr 2017)
  5. fueleconomy.gov: Nissan Maxima 1995-2000

A32 Maxima · 1995–1999

How fast is the Maxima?

Sedan, 1995–1999. 0–60 times are magazine tests where we have one, otherwise the maker's figure.

Maxima GXE

1995–1999

190 hpat 5,600 rpm

The base sedan.

Torque
205 lb-ftat 4,000 rpm
0–60 mph
7.6 sMotor Trend test
Gearbox
5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, front-drive
Price new
$18,1001995
Sources
  1. The Auto Channel: 1995 Nissan Maxima SE sport sedan (Bill Russ, road test with spec sheet)
  2. Wikipedia: Nissan Maxima
  3. Consumer Guide: 1995-99 Nissan Maxima (used car review, trouble spots)
  4. 0-60specs.com: Nissan Maxima 0-60 runs by magazine (Motor Trend, MotorWeek)
  5. Auto123: Pre-owned 1995-1999 Nissan Maxima (Mathieu St-Pierre, Feb 2006)
  6. MotorWeek: 1995 Nissan Maxima road test

Maxima SE

1995–1999

190 hpat 5,600 rpm

The sporty trim: firmer suspension and a rear spoiler. A Car and Driver 10Best pick for 1995 and 1996.

Torque
205 lb-ftat 4,000 rpm
0–60 mph
6.6 sMotor Trend test
Gearbox
5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, front-drive
Weight
3,010 lb1995 SE, 5-speed, curb
Price new
$21,5991995 base per The Auto Channel; MotorWeek put the SE around $19,200
Sources
  1. The Auto Channel: 1995 Nissan Maxima SE sport sedan (Bill Russ, road test with spec sheet)
  2. Wikipedia: Nissan Maxima
  3. Consumer Guide: 1995-99 Nissan Maxima (used car review, trouble spots)
  4. 0-60specs.com: Nissan Maxima 0-60 runs by magazine (Motor Trend, MotorWeek)
  5. Auto123: Pre-owned 1995-1999 Nissan Maxima (Mathieu St-Pierre, Feb 2006)
  6. MotorWeek: 1995 Nissan Maxima road test

Maxima GLE

1995–1999

190 hpat 5,600 rpm

The luxury trim, with a Bose stereo standard. Automatic only.

Torque
205 lb-ftat 4,000 rpm
Gearbox
4-speed automatic, front-driveautomatic only
Price new
about $21,0001995, MotorWeek
Sources
  1. The Auto Channel: 1995 Nissan Maxima SE sport sedan (Bill Russ, road test with spec sheet)
  2. Wikipedia: Nissan Maxima
  3. Consumer Guide: 1995-99 Nissan Maxima (used car review, trouble spots)
  4. Auto123: Pre-owned 1995-1999 Nissan Maxima (Mathieu St-Pierre, Feb 2006)
  5. MotorWeek: 1995 Nissan Maxima road test

The engine: Nissan VQ30DE

Nissan VQ30DE engine, AI illustration

3.0-liter V6, DOHC, naturally aspirated

LayoutV6, DOHC 24-valve, aluminum block and heads
Output190 hp at 5,600 rpm, 205 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm (US Maxima)
Bore x stroke93 x 73.3 mm, 2,988 cc
Compression10.0:1
AwardsOn Ward’s 10 Best Engines list every year from 1995 through 2001

Engine's YouTube owner tone 48/100 (videos about the Nissan VQ30DE in every car that uses it, so it differs from this car's own tone below)

Nissan VQ30DE engine page →

Known issues

  • Timing chain noise (1995–1996)Outlet report

    Consumer Guide says noise from the front of the engine on 1995 and 1996 cars can come from too much play in the timing chain.

    Fix: A new chain tensioner and chain guide.

    2 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (1995–1999)
  • Spark knock (1995–1997)Outlet report

    Consumer Guide says spark knock or ping on 1995-97 cars can come from a faulty engine computer.

    16 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (1995–1999)
  • Broken engine wiring (1995–1997)Outlet report

    Consumer Guide traces no-starts, rough running and no A/C on 1995-97 cars to broken wires where the engine harness bends near the right strut tower.

    18 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (1995–1999)
  • Automatic transmission slipping (1997)Outlet report

    Consumer Guide says the original shift solenoids in 1997 automatics allowed slipping and early wear.

    2 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (1995–1999)
Engine sources
  1. The Auto Channel: 1995 Nissan Maxima SE sport sedan (Bill Russ, road test with spec sheet)
  2. Consumer Guide: 1995-99 Nissan Maxima (used car review, trouble spots)
  3. Wikipedia: Nissan VQ engine

What owners say on YouTube

45This car's YouTube owner tone, out of 100 · videos about this generation only (the engine's tone above covers every car with that engine)

Owners praise

Handling and steering8%
Everyday comfort6%

Owners complain about

CVT / transmission shudder5%

Share of the 195 most-watched Maxima videos that praise or criticize each topic (a praise or trouble word near it in the title or transcript).

Most-watched videos

2019 Nissan Maxima SR – The 4-Door Sports Car?Redline Reviews · 1.7M views2017 Nissan Maxima - Review and Road TestKelley Blue Book · 673K views

Should you buy a Maxima?

  • New, the Maxima SE cost $21,599 (1995 base per The Auto Channel; MotorWeek put the SE around $19,200).
  • YouTube likes the 1999 best (49/100).
  • Most owner complaints: the 1999 (165). Fewest: the 1996 (96). Raw counts, not per car sold, for every version NHTSA files under this name.
  • Budget for timing chain noise (1995–1996): 2 owner complaints mention it. A new chain tensioner and chain guide.
  • Budget for spark knock (1995–1997): 16 owner complaints mention it.
  • 6 recall campaigns across 1995–1999 (all Maxima versions). Check a VIN before you buy.
  • Repair costs: we don't have owner-reported repair costs for the Maxima yet.
Sources
  1. The Auto Channel: 1995 Nissan Maxima SE sport sedan (Bill Russ, road test with spec sheet)
  2. MotorWeek: 1995 Nissan Maxima road test
All sources (11)
  1. The Auto Channel: 1995 Nissan Maxima SE sport sedan (Bill Russ, road test with spec sheet) outlet
  2. Wikipedia: Nissan Maxima Wikipedia
  3. Consumer Guide: 1995-99 Nissan Maxima (used car review, trouble spots) outlet
  4. 0-60specs.com: Nissan Maxima 0-60 runs by magazine (Motor Trend, MotorWeek) magazine tests, aggregated
  5. Auto123: Pre-owned 1995-1999 Nissan Maxima (Mathieu St-Pierre, Feb 2006) outlet
  6. MotorWeek: 1995 Nissan Maxima road test outlet
  7. Wikipedia: Nissan VQ engine Wikipedia
  8. Motor Authority: Deep dive: Vince’s Nissan Maxima from "The Fast and the Furious" (Sean Szymkowski, Jan 2020) outlet
  9. Jalopnik: Here’s the backstory on that blue Maxima from The Fast and the Furious (Andrew P. Collins, Jul 2019) outlet
  10. Driving Line: The cars that introduced us to the Fast & Furious family (Philip Cheng, Apr 2017) outlet
  11. fueleconomy.gov: Nissan Maxima 1995-2000 EPA

Owner complaints to NHTSA

NHTSA files every Maxima generation under MAXIMA; these counts are the A32 model years 1995-1999 only.

No Lemon Index for the Maxima: the index is complaints per car sold, and sales by trim aren't published. These are raw counts.

628 complaints for 1995–1999.

1995152
199696
1997102
1998113
1999165

What they're about

Electrical system173
Engine and engine cooling94
Air bags93
Power train42
Structure38

Recalls

  • 08E050000 Exterior Lighting1995–1999

    K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES.

  • 06E049000 Exterior Lighting1995–1999

    CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

  • 09E025000 Exterior Lighting1995–1999

    DOPE, INC.

  • 09E012000 Exterior Lighting1995–1998

    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.

  • 06E026000 Exterior Lighting1995–1999

    CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

  • 02V171000 Electrical System1997–1998

    ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ONE OF THE DIODES USED IN THE ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHEN BUILT.

Source: NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov). Check a VIN for open recalls on one car.

Quick answers

How fast is the Nissan Maxima SE?

The A32 Maxima SE makes 190 hp and 205 lb-ft. Motor Trend measured 0–60 mph in 6.6 seconds.

What engine does the Nissan Maxima (A32) have?

The A32 Maxima (1995–1999) uses the Nissan VQ30DE, a 3.0-liter V6, DOHC, naturally aspirated.

Which Fast and Furious movie is the Maxima in?

The Fast and the Furious (2001): Vince’s blue fourth-generation Maxima. It was the technical advisor’s own car, with a supercharger that took it from 190 to about 260 hp.

Was the Nissan Maxima (A32) sold in the US?

Yes. Sold new in the US for model years 1995-1999.

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