Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 5% | 23,000 miles |
| 2018 | 2 | 6% | 13,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 4% | 28,000 miles |
| 2016 | 14 | 10% | 58,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% | 26,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% | 113,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 5% | 113,000 miles |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% | 35,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% | 12,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 5% | 111,000 miles |
| 2007 | 11 | 9% | 94,000 miles |
| 2006 | 35 | 6% | 86,000 miles |
| 2005 | 33 | 3% | 101,000 miles |
| 2004 | 38 | 3% | 85,000 miles |
| 2003 | 8 | 4% | 73,000 miles |
| 2002 | 23 | 11% | 46,000 miles |
| 2001 | 11 | 6% | 83,000 miles |
| 2000 | 12 | 3% | 96,000 miles |
| 1999 | 5 | 3% | 96,000 miles |
| 1998 | 5 | 4% | 98,000 miles |
| 1997 | 3 | 3% | 86,000 miles |
| 1996 | 5 | 5% | 76,000 miles |
| 1995 | 4 | 3% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
While driving on I-75 in Atlanta about a month ago, my 2017 Nissan Maxima suddenly stopped accelerating. The engine was revving, but the car wouldn't respond when I pressed the gas. It was unexpected and dangerous in fast-moving highway traffic. The same issue happened again on July 22, 2024, while I was driving on I-85. Both times, the car lost acceleration without warning in the moment. Before these incidents, I noticed occasional hesitation from a stop and delayed acceleration, but nothing as extreme as losing power at highway speeds. I took the car to a Nissan dealership, and they pulled a P17F1 code related to the CVT transmission. Nissan has acknowledged this issue by extending the warranty for transmission repairs in other models, but they told me my vehicle is not covered. This failure creates a serious safety risk and should not be ignored.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the failure occurred on more than one occasion. Autonation Nissan memphis (4140 hacks cross rd, memphis, tennessee 38125) was notified, but could not duplicate the failure. The dealer requested that the failure be caught on video. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,500.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Alpine Nissan of Denver (2400 W 104th Ave, Denver, CO 80234) where it was diagnosed and determined that the alternator had stopped routing electricity after overheating. The contact was advised by the local dealer that the transmission needed to be replaced and related to failure to Technical Service Bulletin: NTB17-039P (Transmission Judder); which was related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,800.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into drive(D) and the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle stalled and was restarted. On another occasion, while driving at an unknown speed the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Nissan Maxima. While the contact's son was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into a tree. All the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact's son sustained shoulder pain, chest pain, and lot of cuts and bruises that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Intermittent high RPM's with no control of speed. Would happen then not happen for days. Would not go at stop signs/stop lights then surge forward when the transmission (we later learned) finally engaged. On a day it wasn't acting up we took it to where we bought it (dealership) and they immediately notified us that we needed a brand new transmission $5,500. 2,053 miles outside of warranty. We could not believe that when they contacted corporate no consideration for our long-term relationship.never in a million years did we think it was something so serious as a complete transmission failure. …
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima The contact stated that when attempting to park their vehicle and shifting into reverse while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward. The vehicle crashed into the side of the building in front and through the wall of the building causing the front end to be inside of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle had been towed. The decision to total the vehicle had not been finalized as of yet. The contact received injuries to their back and medical assistance was needed. The dealer was not made aware. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 to 30 MPH, the vehicle suddenly started to slow down. After she tried to accelerate and increase speed, the vehicle did not respond; however, all of the warning lights illuminated on the instrumental panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised her that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After driving approximately 1,000 miles, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who advised her that the wire harness system failed and needed to replaced. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was waiting for a response. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 6800.
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with an electronic throttle control system, the stopper for the accelerator pedal will prevent excessive movement of the accelerator position sensor.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new accelerator pedal stopper. Owner notification began March 11, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy…
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Maxima years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (38), 2006 (35), 2005 (33), 2002 (23) and 2016 (14) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Nissan Maxima acceleration problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 02V-043 (vehicle speed control, Feb 12, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Maxima acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 25% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (13 mentions), followed by the linkages (5).
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.