Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
On April 3, 2016 I started my 2007 Nissan Maxima which the engine shook then stalled after running for about 3 seconds. Had it towed to a local Nissan dealer which informed me that the timing jump and bent valves now needing a new engine. After researching found that there is a class action lawsuit against Nissan for their timing chain guide which causes the timing chain to jump and damage the engine. Reading how dangerous when any of these occur while the vehicles are in motion, occupants of the vehicles are exposed to rear end collisions and other accidents caused by the driver's inability to maintain an appropriate speed on the road. The fact that the timing chain systems are prone to premature failure is also material to consumers because there is no safe alternative way for owners of the subject Nissan vehicles to avoid the risk of potential harm. …
The second time my car stalled I was driving back home in my 2007 Maxima when suddenly my car stalled while driving. I was making a left hand turn from major road onto my street. The first time it happened I was in the left hand lane on a major road at rush hour accellerating from a stop light. I took car to the Nissan dealer and based on me telling them I was hearing a whining noise and not the stalling issue they informed me it was faulty cam shaft sensors and the timing belt. Service advisor told me it had to be repaired or my life could be in danger depending on where it decided to stall the next time or the timing chain failed and killed my engine. This cost me approximately $2000. My car had ~100,000 miles and I have had all recommended services performed at the same dealer. …
Took my 07 Maxima with 73K miles to a Nissan dealer for a whining noise I thought was the transmission which is under mfg. Warranty. Was told the noise is from the timing chain guides. A repair of almost $2000.00. Now I find that there is a TSB on this from years ago. I've had this car since 2009, Nissan should have notified owners since this defect left not repaired could cause the motor to cut out at any time. It also will destroy the motor since it"s not a clearance engine. I have maintained this vehicle to the letter. Nissan is know for this engine and the reason I buy them is they use timing chains not belts.
It started with the car not going over 40 MPH the first few minutes of driving and then it would be OK. I didn't get check engine light or any warning signs, so I drove it like that for 5 months until the car stopped accelerating, and it won't go over 20 MPH. Still no check engine light. I took it to the dealer and was told the engine timing chain was out along with the transmission. The repair cost was over $8000. A 12 year-old car with 114,000 miles is headed to the junk yard. I was the first and only owner of the car and took really good care of it but sad to see it go so soon.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled intermittently without warning. After several attempts, the vehicle restated. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft sensor failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 02/05/16; updated 03/23/18
My car has approximately 60,000 miles on it. When I took it to the dealer for a squeaky noise in the engine, they told me the timing chain was failing and needed to be replaced. My hood and roof also have the clear coat peeling up and fading. Since timing chain is a safety issue, I paid 2,000 for them to fix this. I contacted their consumer affairs and since my car is out of warranty, they cannot help me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Nissan Maxima. The contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
Timing chain needed to be replaced. Understand from internet search that there have been many complaints about the Nissan timing chains and their defective design and nature. According to dealer, no recall or service bulletins issued about this defect.
This Friday October 24th I was driving back home in my 2007 Maxima se (VIN: [redacted]) when suddenly my car stalled while driving with no control over the steering wheel. Luckily I was at the entrance of my subdivision minute after taking exit from a 50 MPH state route. My car ran over the curb barely missing a rare collision with a SUV whose driver had no clue what's going on with my car. I can't even imagine what could have happened if the car stalled on 50 MPH state route during the rush hour. The problem turned out to be a faulty cam shaft sensor that I've ordered and will be arriving in a day or two. Regardless of the faulty part I believe the car behavior is unacceptable as a result of that. I did spent time researching about this problem online and it looks I'm not the only one as there are many Nissan owners with this problem and have their own horror stories to tell. …
Took my car in for a oil change and after the oil change and the change of belts my car started making a noise when the heat or air was turned on. 2 months later when I turned on my air condition no air was coming through. Took it back to the Nissan dealership and they told me that my air pressure pump had a leak in it. I could not believe that with a 2007 car that I would have had this problem this soon!!! Nothing was done to repair my car. I over heard the two service guys say that "oh ya, that's going to take a paycheck". Not knowing that I was still listening. I feel that they did not care about me or what was going on with my car all they wanted was for me to pay for the repairs. I told them that my husband was deployed and had two small children that had asthma and the heat would trigger their asthma and on this day it was already 78 degrees. …
Engine complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Nissan Maxima, 19% of the model year's 129 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Nissan Maxima engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.