Nissan Maxima reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 978 complaints about the Nissan Maxima with NHTSA since 2010, most often about steering and electrical system. Nissan has filed 3 warranty extensions and 18 service campaigns for it, and there are 10 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Nissan Maxima? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Maxima a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 978
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 3
- Filed by Nissan
- Service campaigns
- 18
- Filed by Nissan
- Safety recalls
- 10
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Maxima with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | Equipment and accessories (100%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 5 | Other or unspecified (40%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3 | Electrical system (33%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 22 | Body and structure (18%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2019 | 18 | Other or unspecified (28%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | 36 | Other or unspecified (22%) | 2 | 5 |
| 2017 | 104 | Other or unspecified (25%) | 4 | 6 |
| 2016 | 142 | Transmission and drivetrain (23%) | 8 | 8 |
| 2015 | 1 | Airbags (100%) | 0 | 1 |
| 2014 | 96 | Airbags (25%) | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 | 62 | Transmission and drivetrain (39%) | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 | 107 | Airbags (25%) | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 | 106 | Airbags (22%) | 0 | 4 |
| 2010 | 275 | Steering (57%) | 0 | 12 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Maxima model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Nissan
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Nissan filed with NHTSA for the Maxima, in its own words. A warranty extension means Nissan pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionOct 2025· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2016–2018
CAMPAIGN BULLETIN CVT Warranty Extension In an effort to assure customer satisfaction, demonstrate our confidence in continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), and to address customer concerns including those expressed by customers in a class action, Nissan will extend the…
- Warranty extensionDec 2022· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2016–2018
CVT Class Action Owner Notification In mid-December, current and former owners and lessees of the following vehicles will receive a postcard from a Settlement Administrator informing them of the terms of a proposed class action that, subject to final court approval, could extend…
- Warranty extensionFeb 2017· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2017
2016 Titan High Pressure Turbo- Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign - Dealer Announcement The announcement from December 15th, 2016 has been revised to include: - High pressure turbo kits and additional service parts for diesel engine repair are no longer on restriction and may…
- Service campaignMar 2022· Lane keeping· model years 2010
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN NISSAN NAVIGATION SOFTWARE UPDATE Service Campaign ID # P0337 is no longer active.
- Service campaignAug 2021· Electrical system· model years 2010–2011
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN CALL WAITING FUNCTION NAVIGATION UPDATE Service Campaign ID # P1234 is no longer active.
- Service campaignDec 2020· Body and structure· model years 2020
Driver's Door Inspection Voluntary Service Campaign Campaign Summary: Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the driverâs door on certain 2020 model year Nissan Maxima (A36) vehicles.
- Service campaignDec 2020· Body and structure· model years 2020
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2020 MAXIMA; DRIVERâS DOOR SPOT WELD INSPECTION INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary service campaign, on certain specific model year 2020 Maxima vehicles, to inspect the spot welds on the driverâs door.
- Service campaignMay 2020· Steering· model years 2010
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2009 â 2010 MAXIMA AND ALTIMA ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK Voluntary Service Campaign ID # PC516 is No Longer Active.
- Service campaignMay 2020· Steering· model years 2010
Expiration Notification â Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) Voluntary Service Campaign UPDATE May 14, 2020 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin.
- Service campaignDec 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2016–2018
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN VEHICLES REGISTERED IN CALIFORNIA; ENGINE CONTROL MODULE INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary emissions service campaign on certain specific model year Nissan vehicles (see APPLIED VEHICLES) registered in the state of California.
- Service campaignDec 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2016–2018
Engine Control Module (ECM) Reprogram California Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign ***** Campaign Summary***** Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on approximately 104,221 specific Nissan vehicles identified in Service Comm and currently registered to…
- Service campaignDec 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2016–2018
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN VEHICLES REGISTERED IN CALIFORNIA; ENGINE CONTROL MODULE INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary emissions service campaign on certain specific model year Nissan vehicles (see APPLIED VEHICLES) registered in the state of California.
- Service campaignFeb 2017· Steering· model years 2010
Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) Voluntary Service Campaign ***** Campaign Summary***** Nissan is conducting a voluntary service campaign on specific MY2009-10 Nissan Altima (L32), Altima Coupe (CL32), Altima Hybrid (L32H), and Maxima (A35) vehicles to replace the existing…
- Service campaignFeb 2017· Electrical system· model years 2010
Nissan is conducting a voluntary service campaign on specific MY2009-10 Nissan Altima (L32), Altima Coupe (CL32), Altima Hybrid (L32H), and Maxima (A35) vehicles to replace the existing ESCL with an Electronic Steering Column Box (ESCB).
- Service campaignFeb 2017· Steering· model years 2010
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2009–2010 MAXIMA AND ALTIMA ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the Electronic Steering Column Lock (Steering Lock Unit) on certain specific 2009–2010 model year Maxima and Altima…
- Service campaignNov 2015· Engine and cooling· model years 2016
Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Emission Service Campaign to provide a warranty supplement card that contains the most current emission warranty information.
- Service campaignNov 2015· Engine and cooling· model years 2016
Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Emission Service Campaign to provide a warranty supplement card that contains the most current emission warranty information.
- Service campaignJan 2013· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2011
Navigation software upgrade. *rm updated 4/1/13.
- Service campaignJan 2013· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010
On the Applied Vehicles in this bulletin, the navigation, mobile phone, and iPod® functions may not be working as intended.
- Service campaignJan 2013· Backup camera and rear sensors· model years 2010–2011
On the Applied Vehicles listed in this bulletin, the navigation, mobile phone, iPod®, and voice recognition functions may not be working as intended.
- Service campaignMar 2011· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010
A software problem is causing the navigation, ipod, and mobile phone functions to be inoperative.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Maxima model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Steering186 (19%)
- Electrical system174 (18%)
- Transmission and drivetrain151 (15%)
- Other or unspecified148 (15%)
- Airbags138 (14%)
- Engine87 (9%)
- Body and structure55 (6%)
- Brakes44 (4%)
Safety recalls
10 recalls cover at least one Maxima model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.
These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601.
Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles.
The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.
An incorrect Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have been installed in the front passenger seat.
The affected vehicles have Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps that may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal electrical circuit board.
In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied.
The ABS actuator may have a damaged O-ring that may result in a lack of brake fluid pressure.
The affected vehicles have front brake calipers whose mounting bolts may not be properly tightened.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the agency on July 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 18, 2015.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA19002Engineering analysis· opened Jul 2019, closed Jun 2025· Suspension· model years 2016–2018
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
NHTSA's own page for the 2023 Nissan Maxima has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Nissan Maxima reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 978 owner complaints, 3 warranty extensions and 18 service campaigns Nissan filed, and 10 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2010 (275), 2016 (142), 2012 (107). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Nissan Maxima?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name steering (19%), electrical system (18%), transmission and drivetrain (15%). Nissan has filed 3 warranty extensions covering the Maxima, listed on this page.
Which Maxima model years have the most complaints?
2010 (275), 2016 (142), 2012 (107). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Maxima with each other rather than with other models.
Has Nissan extended the warranty on the Maxima?
Yes: transmission and drivetrain (model years 2016–2018); transmission and drivetrain (model years 2016–2018); engine and cooling (model years 2010–2017). A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Maxima?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 10 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.