Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have a 2007 Nissan Maxima and my car shot out of a car wash and across 4 lanes of traffic and crashed into federal property. After the car was pushed from the dry option I put my foot on the brake took the car out of neutral, put it into drive and the car took off like a rocket. I had both feet on the brakes and had to use two hands to steer the car away from traffic. I had the choice of a light pole or a fence on federal property. I decided on the fence to be the least damaging. My grandson was in the car and it all happened within two minutes. I made eye contract with drivers to my left and right and honked my horn and everyone around saw I was having a problem and they stopped. I had no brakes and I reported this to Nissan and that was over two months ago and they are looking into this but I have not had a definite answer from them. …
I first took my 07 Maxima in to the dealership oct 2010 because the car lost engine power when it was cold outside. They had it for about a week and finally decided the car needed a rear wheel sensor and a larger hole ground in the rear "knuckle" to let moisture and salt out. This cost me $807 and they assured me this was not a common problem and the car was fixed. It is now feb 2011 and the car is back in the shop. The diagnosis is 2 more wheel sensors need replaced and now it also needs a ABS actuator. Total bill $2500. When this problem is occurring the car loses power which is probably not a bad idea cause the brake pedal goes down to the floor while growling and acting like it is sliding on ice. Nissan knows there is a problem with these cars as I know they issued a service bulletin to grind some openings in the plastic cover to let moisture out. …
I took my car in to the dealership due to all of my warning lights coming on. Upon putting it on the lift, they showed me where the underside was significant rust that caused the tire & brake sensors to fall off the struts. Additionally, the floor pans were completely rusted out with holes, which can cause my feet to crash through the floorboards causing an accident or carbon dioxide poisoning. I have researched the many problems reported online regarding rusted floor pans and believe the NHTSA should force Nissan to provide a recall to get these items fixed. I understand rust is not a standard reason for NHTSA to be involved, but will it take my death to have you regulate & resolve this issue?
Nothing but problems with 07 Maxima we bought, later repossessed. The steering wheel and the whole front of the car would shake uncontrollably especially when brakes were used. Also wheels (not factory but they were on there when purchased, but asked to replace but never happened) were noticeably bent. And lastly, the front and side airbags deployed after shutting my drivers side door causing my arm to be burned.
2007 Nissan Maxima has issue with ABS engaging causing transmission to go into a limp/safe mode which does not allow you to accelerate even when gas pedal is floored. On left turn almost t-bone because of this defect which is well documented since 2004. Vehicle was in motion on roadway 45 MPH. Recall needed people are going to get killed if they haven't already.
I experienced a complete brake failure resulting from failure of the master brake cylinder on my 2007 Nissan Maxima with only 48,000 miles. Fortunately, the failure occurred while backing out of the service bay at kal tire located in ladner bc, Canada. It was necessary to employ the parking brake to stop the vehicle. Because I reside in point roberts wa, I could not take the risk of driving 45 miles to the nearest Nissan dealer located in bellingham wa. Ladner is only 5 or 6 miles from point roberts wa. Had I ran the Maxima down I-5 down to bellingham wa, this complete brake failure would have been lethal when driving at stated expressway speed limits of 70 MPH. The failure of a master brake valve at 48,000 miles is unprecedented in my 50 years of driving experience. …
After leaving home & driving 1 mile the car would not accelerate to highway speed and had difficulty going over 30 MPH. At just over 40 MPH the engine was running at over 4,500 RPM. Not wanting to risk driving the car on the highway to the nearest Nissan dealer (20+ mi.), I made an appointment with a shop closer to home. When I drove to the shop it was difficult to maintain any speed over 40 MPH and the car slowed to under 25 MPH going up an incline. Half way to the shop, approx. 4 miles, several warning lights lit up on the dash. At the shop the mechanic said that the ABS brake system was showing a problem with the right rear sensor, after talking to the Nissan dealer where I bought the car it was decided that the right rear ABS sensor should be replaced. That was done but it did not solve the problem. …
2007 Nissan Maxima ABS activates with normal braking. There was a service bulletin ntb07-016b for this problem which is clearly a design defect from Nissan. As I was driving and catching speed I noticed my car slipped into a lower gear I would hear ABS engaging and if I stepped on the brake pedal ABS would be activated. Took it to the dealer even though I have no warranty they told me it would cost me $1,200 to replace the bearings and the sensors as they were corroded due to water and dirt trapped where the sensors rest. The service bulletin clearly states that a piece has to be grinded off on knuckle in order to allow proper drainage of water and dirt. This is a safety concern and a very expensive repair to be done coming out of consumers pockets due to the obvious design defect from Nissan. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Nissan Maxima. While the contact was driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate over 30 MPH and when the brakes were applied there was excessive vibration. In addition, the ABS and traction control system warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The warning indicators remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The contact was able to continue driving cautiously to his residence and upon arrival the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated the ABS actuator and both rear brake sensors would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was taken an independent mechanic; however they advised for that type of repair the vehicle be taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and they were unable to provide assistance. …
My ABS/traction control system failed. Due to the system failing the vehicle transmission malfunctions. This happened while I was driving on the highway traveling at the recommended speed. Due to the ABS/traction control system failing my vehicle decelerated quickly causing a unsafe environment for me, my passenger and the vehicles behind me. Fortunately the vehicles behind me was at a safe distance and no accident was caused. I had to have the vehicle towed to safe location because this malfunction causes the transmission to not shift from a low gear. This problem with my vehicle is unsafe and I have just found that it is a common problem. Yet there has been no responsible action taken by Nissan. Please investigate this issue.
Brake complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2007 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the brakes of the 2007 Nissan Maxima, 19% of the model year's 129 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Nissan Maxima brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2007 Nissan Maxima, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Nissan Maxima brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.