Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
a recall and class action lawsuit was issued for the 2013 altima but not the 2013 maxima. they have the same cvt transmission, my cvt transmission on my maxima just went out. Both the maxima and the altima should have been included in these recalls if they have the exact same CVT transmission
My mother and I were driving to lunch on the highway and I noticed the car was driving very sporadically. If I pushed on the accelerator it would stick and then it would just bolt out full speed, on more than one occasion we almost hit another vehicle and a barrier. I couldn't control the care. We tried to drive slow, but the car would accelerate very fast when it detected the next gear. We were terrified we drove straight to the dealer. They informed us that the transmission was out. This car has less than 100K miles on it and I purchased it brand new. It was extremely dangerous. Clearly something is wrong with the transmissions that nissans are putting in. If, you look online you see others with the same experience, with even less mileage. To make matters worse I had to pay out of pocket because the extended warranty had expired. This car is not safe. …
I was traveling from houston, tx to dallas, tx midday on May 1, 2021. I was approximately 40 miles outside of dallas on I-45 traveling 75 MPH when I suddenly felt a sputter and then the speed instantly decreased from 75 MPH to 20 MPH on a busy major interstate. I was almost hit twice as I tried to exit the interstate with cars traveling upwards of 75+ MPH, blowing and honing and cursing me. I made it off the interstate and turned the car off. After making several calls for help, I was instructed by a mechanic to wait a few minutes and restart the car and try to accelerate while on the feeder. So I did, and the car did accelerate enough to get back on the interstate. I had to do this 5 times to get the remainder of the 40 miles to m destination. I took my car to metro dallas Nissan in flower mound, tx on May 3, 2021. …
While driving down a busy highway, the check engine light came on and the car was no longer moving. The gas pedal was pressed all the way down into the floor and the car was at a stand still. While transfer trucks and incoming traffic on a busy highway the Maxima left me stranded as the car would not accelerate. After continuously turning the car off and on several times, there was still no movement in drive. The car only had 70,000 miles on it when this happened. I had to put a brand new transmission in this car, which also was very exhausting as not many places will work on CVT transmissions. I have spoken with several others whom own 2013 Maxima and they have had the same issue. I feel very unsafe in this car as I do not know when this issue could become an issue again and basically put me at danger and stranded on the side of a busy highway. …
I have had this vehicle for 2 years and it's only a 5 year old car. I find it disturbing that Nissan is well aware of the CVT transmission issues on these vehicles and they have not been recalled. They put my kids and myself in danger when my car all of a sudden didn't function correctly. I was making a u-turn and it would not accelerate, we almost got hit by two cars of oncoming traffic! I took the car in to the Nissan dealership and it will cost $5K to replace the transmission that they can only guarantee 12,000/ 1 year after the repair, which will not be covered under my warranty because it expired. This is so unfair. I still owe a lot of money for this car since I financed it, so I am stuck with the repair cost. Nissan needs to own up to this issue and do something about it!!!
Driving down the 680 freeway in rush hour morning traffic. In fast lane going with speed of traffic (approx. 75 MPH) car suddenly loses power. RPM start to go crazy. Car does not respond to accelerator. Dropped from 75 MPH to 0 MPH in matter of seconds. Very scary experience. Stuck on side of the freeway until tow truck arrived. Had a panic attack. No warning signs. Tow to a mechanic, my transmission is shot. At 106K miles and a 2013 model, I did not expect this. Owe tons of money still on the car. Have to pay $5000 to fix the CVT transmission and replace with a "new" CVT transmission. Same crappy, defective transmission for $5K. And Nissan only warranties those for 12 to 18 months or 12 or 18K miles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan Maxima. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated while the accelerator pedal was being depressed. The contact managed to coast the vehicle to the side of the road and turn off the engine. Upon restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle failed to move while the accelerator pedal was being depressed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission chain was fractured and the transmission needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,124.
Vehicle has approximately 91K miles on it and the CVT transmission has failed. Vehicle has only been serviced by the dealership and never received any type of notification of change of fluid levels or the need to add fluids. Was driving down the street and vehicle was pretty much stuck. Eventually vehicle pulled itself through and wall accelerator very fast as if you floored it. I have looked on web and this has been a problem for many. I believe Nissan is aware of this ctv failure. There is absolutely no reason why a transmission should fail without warning with less than 100K miles on the vehicle.
As I was driving on highway from arkansas to texas my car started making this really loud noise as I was accelerating. I was only at 60 MPH and the car was still making the noise but as I was increasing my speed to pass and switch lanes my car seem like it became stuck and wouldn't let me accelerate or go any faster and my RPM jumped to 5. I pulled over and rested my car for a minute took it to o reiley to get it checked since my service engine soon light had come on and the code that returned was code p1778 something they stated that pertain to the step motor function/transmission.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan Maxima. While accelerating from a stop, the vehicle rolled backwards. The contact stopped the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. The accelerator pedal was depressed once again and the vehicle failed to accelerate before stalling. The vehicle was able to be restarted and returned to normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the CVT transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 09/20/16
Transmission complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2013 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2013 Nissan Maxima, 39% of the model year's 62 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Nissan Maxima transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2013 Nissan Maxima. 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 2013 Nissan Maxima transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 106,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
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.