Buy Nissan Maxima Side View Mirrors

Quick Take

Quick Take

The side mirror-also called the door mirror, wing mirror, or outside rear-view mirror-on a Nissan Maxima is a safety-critical part that lets you watch traffic in the lanes next to and behind you. U.S. rules in FMVSS 111 require at least one outside mirror on passenger cars, and Nissan outfits every Maxima generation (1981-present) with two. Modern Maxima mirrors can add heat, power fold, memory, auto-dimming, turn-signal lamps, and Blind-Spot Warning indicators. (Nissan USA, Nissan USA) Replacement costs range from about $300 when you install the part yourself to $800 at a shop, mostly depending on options such as cameras or sensors. (YourMechanic, RepairPal.com, J.D. Power

Fit & Years

Fit & Years

• Generations covered - 1st (1981-84), 2nd (1985-88), 3rd (1989-94), 4th (1995-99), 5th (2000-03), 6th (2004-08), 7th (2009-14), 8th (2016-23).
• Mounting points - All use three 8-mm studs through the door frame plus a multi-pin harness on powered versions. Harness pin counts grew from 3-pin (manual glass) to 11-pin on mirrors with cameras and blind-spot LEDs. (JustAnswer)
• Driver vs. passenger glass - The right-side glass is convex and stamped with the familiar "objects in mirror are closer" warning; the left side is planar or mildly aspheric on late models to widen the view. (ScienceDaily)
• Cross-compatibility - Mirrors usually interchange within a single generation. Mixing years outside the group often fails because of styling and wiring changes.

Key Features

Key Features

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Materials

Materials & Build

Most housings are textured ABS plastic that can be painted to match body color after sanding and primer. A twin-shot process bonds the housing to an inner impact-breakaway bracket made of glass-reinforced nylon. Convex or flat glass is glued to a motor plate with a silicone rubber backing that absorbs vibration. Progressive-surface mirrors using advanced optics can widen the field of view without heavy distortion, as shown in research by Optica and ScienceDaily. (, ScienceDaily)

Safety Rules

Safety Rules

• FMVSS 111 sets minimum reflective area, break-away force, and labeling for convex glass. (Transportation.gov)
• Many states ticket cars missing a required mirror; J.D. Power notes that police may issue citations for a damaged mirror. (J.D. Power)
• When Blind-Spot Warning is installed, do not paint over or block the LED indicator on the mirror cap.

Failure Signs

Failure Signs

• Cracked glass or housing
• Motor stalls, causing the glass to stop moving
• Heater grid opens (ice stays on)
• LED turn signal or blind-spot lamp dead
• Mirror glass shakes at speed

Any of these reduce visibility, so plan a replacement right away. (RepairPal.com)

DIY Steps

DIY Steps

1. Disconnect the battery to prevent air-bag or memory faults.
2. Remove the trim sail inside the door. A plastic pry tool protects the trim.
3. Unplug the harness. Note latch tabs on 2009+ models. (YouTube)
4. Support the mirror with one hand and undo the three 10-mm nuts.
5. Lift the unit out carefully to avoid scratching paint.
6. Install the new mirror in reverse order.

Tip: hand-start all nuts to avoid cross-threading and tighten them just snug-about 7 lb-ft, per typical service-manual guidance. (www.slideshare.net)

Tools & Specs

Tools & Specs

• Trim-panel tool set
• 10-mm socket and ratchet
• Torque wrench that reads 5-15 lb-ft
• Voltmeter for testing 12 V and ground on pins (black = ground, yellow/blue = heat, green/red = motor). (JustAnswer)

Painting Tips

Painting Tips

Use high-build primer to fill texture, wet-sand to 600 grit, spray base coat in thin passes, then clear coat. Paint code is on the driver-door jamb; match it for best blend, as pro painters discuss in this autobody forum thread. Allow 24 hours cure before car-wash.

Tech & Calibration

Tech & Calibration

• Memory reset - Store positions with the numbered door buttons after each mirror swap. (JustAnswer)
• Blind-Spot check - With ignition ON, the amber icons should light for one second during self-test. (Nissan USA)
• Camera aim (if equipped) - Enter the service menu and follow the on-screen prompts to recalibrate the 360-view camera grid.

Maintenance

Maintenance

• Keep glass clean with ammonia-free cleaner.
• Spray the hinge with silicone twice per year.
• Exercise the power fold (if fitted) monthly to prevent motor stick.
• Use the defogger, not an ice scraper, to clear frozen glass.

Eco & Recycling

Eco & Recycling

The plastic housing and glass can be separated. Check local e-waste centers that accept mixed automotive plastics. Broken mirrors of any make add up to about 35 tons of landfill waste yearly; recycling the plastic cuts that by two-thirds, according to data in the Progressive Driving School mirror study.

Cost Guide

Cost Guide

• DIY part + paint - $180-$350 for a heated, color-matched assembly. (YourMechanic, J.D. Power)
• Shop install - $85-$125 labor plus the mirror, totaling $762-$802 for advanced units with cameras. (RepairPal.com)
• Glass-only fix - About $40 for stick-on heated glass on older models. (ScienceDaily)

Insurance often covers road-hazard mirror damage, but deductibles may apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know which mirror my Maxima needs?
A: Match the model year, heater, turn-signal, camera, and paint type. The VIN sticker and trim level guide in the owner's manual list these options. (Nissan USA)

Q: Are Maxima mirrors the same as Altima mirrors?
A: No. Shape, mount angle, and wiring differ, even if they appear close in size.

Q: Can I drive with a broken passenger mirror?
A: Many states require two out of three mirrors, but visibility is reduced and you risk a ticket. (J.D. Power)

Q: Does replacing the mirror affect Blind-Spot Warning?
A: Only if you forget to reconnect the LED harness or block the indicator lens with thick paint.

Q: My mirror vibrates at highway speed. Fix?
A: Check that all three mounting nuts are tight and the inner bracket isn't cracked.

Q: Will heating burn out if I leave the defroster on?
A: The system times out after ≈15 minutes to protect the grid. (Nissan USA)

Q: Is convex glass legal on the driver side?
A: U.S. law allows only flat or aspheric driver-side mirrors; convex is legal on the passenger side.

Q: Can I replace just the glass?
A: Yes, if the backing plate is intact. Pre-cut heated glass comes with double-sided tape. (ScienceDaily)

Q: What tools do I need?
A: A trim tool, 10-mm socket, torque wrench, and maybe a voltmeter for testing. (YouTube)

Q: Do I need to recalibrate cameras after install?
A: Only if your mirror integrates the around-view camera; follow the service-menu prompts to align overlay lines.

Related Parts

Related Parts

• Mirror glass repair kits
• Paint-to-match mirror caps
• Blind-spot sensor modules
• Door-panel clips (often break during removal)
• Mirror control switch (fixes dead joystick)

External Resources

• Nissan Maxima Quick-Reference Guide (PDF, 2023)
• DIY replacement video for 2009-2014 mirror
• Blind-Spot Warning operation video
• RepairPal cost estimator
• J.D. Power side-mirror cost guide

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