Nissan Maxima Problems by Year

We compared every Nissan Maxima model year from 1995–2022 using 6,043 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 23 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2004, 2005 and 2006, which drew far more complaints than other Maxima years at the same age. The best years are 2022, 2019 and 2020.

26model years
6,043complaints
23recalls
2009, 2010worst years
2022, 2019best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’16’17’18’19’20’22152961021131653601722052061.4k9485761297933927510610762961421063618225
Owner complaints per model year, Nissan Maxima. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20225−88%—EngineGood
202022−72%1Collision AvoidanceGood
201918−81%1EngineGood
201836−67%2BrakeGood
2017106−17%4AirbagAverage
2016142typical8TransmissionAverage
201496−32%—AirbagAverage
201362−54%—TransmissionGood
2012107−25%—AirbagAverage
2011106−33%—AirbagAverage
20102752.0×1SteeringAvoid
20093392.3×1SteeringAvoid
200879−50%—AirbagGood
2007129−15%1BodyAverage
20065764.0×2TransmissionAvoid
20059486.6×2TransmissionAvoid
20041,42610.4×2TransmissionAvoid
2003206typical3EngineAverage
20022051.3×6EngineAverage
2001172typical3EngineAverage
20003602.5×—ElectricalAvoid
1999165typical—ElectricalAverage
1998113−29%1AirbagAverage
1997102−30%1ElectricalAverage
199696−32%—EngineAverage
19951521.2×—AirbagAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Maxima year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Nissan Maxima problems

Latest Nissan Maxima recalls

Visibility › Glass, side/rear

NHTSA recall 20V-570 · Sep 22, 2020 · 150 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 20V-008 · Jan 9, 2020 · 307,962 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

NHTSA recall 19V-807 · Nov 8, 2019 · 391,479 vehiclesPark outside

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020.

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 19V-654 · Sep 12, 2019 · 1,228,830 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

NHTSA recall 18V-601 · Sep 7, 2018 · 215,124 vehiclesPark outside

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Nissan Murano, 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2018.

All 23 Nissan Maxima recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Nissan Maxima should you avoid?

2009, 2010, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2000 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Maxima years at the same age, led by steering problems in the 2009.

What is the best year for the Nissan Maxima?

2022 has the fewest complaints compared with other Maxima years at the same age, followed by 2019 and 2020. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Nissan Maxima problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (2,384), engine & cooling (805) and electrical system (792). Transmission complaints peak in the 2004 model year.

How many recalls has the Nissan Maxima had?

23 recalls across 1995–2022. The model year with the most is 2016. See all Nissan Maxima recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.