Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 9% | 106,000 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 11% | — |
| 2018 | 5 | 14% | 40,000 miles |
| 2017 | 11 | 10% | 43,000 miles |
| 2016 | 31 | 22% | 58,000 miles |
| 2014 | 8 | 8% | 74,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% | 7,000 miles |
| 2012 | 20 | 19% | 57,000 miles |
| 2011 | 12 | 11% | 112,000 miles |
| 2010 | 79 | 29% | 68,000 miles |
| 2009 | 79 | 23% | 68,000 miles |
| 2008 | 6 | 8% | 79,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% | 136,000 miles |
| 2006 | 26 | 5% | 77,000 miles |
| 2005 | 38 | 4% | 80,000 miles |
| 2004 | 56 | 4% | 80,000 miles |
| 2003 | 17 | 8% | 135,000 miles |
| 2002 | 22 | 11% | 98,000 miles |
| 2001 | 27 | 16% | 65,000 miles |
| 2000 | 171 | 48% | 53,000 miles |
| 1999 | 83 | 50% | 71,000 miles |
| 1998 | 24 | 21% | 135,000 miles |
| 1997 | 39 | 38% | 94,000 miles |
| 1996 | 8 | 8% | 207,000 miles |
| 1995 | 19 | 13% | 131,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the instrument panel was intermittently dim upon starting the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving the instrument panel eventually brightened before returning to a dim setting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions however, the technicians were unable to duplicate the failure. The failure persisted, and the contact stated that the instrument panel had gone blank before returning to a dim setting later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was informed that the Around View Monitor (AVM) unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,434.
When is in motion on any type of street and also at a stop, when getting close to a vehicle or if someone cuts in front of me, or if there is a street sign directly in front of the car, this message appears very briefly "unavailable front radar obstruction" which also shows the icon of two front end of cars colliding. This happened immediately after puchasing my 2018 Maxima. The dealership has not said a word about being aware of this problem when it is a known problem with certain Nissan vehicles. The cost to bring it into the dealership and for any repairs at this point would be out of my pocket since the car is no longer under warranty. This faulty radar compromises the emergency braking system in the car.
Car was parked outside husbands work since 7 at 12:15 pm he was advised by a co worker that my car was on fire ! When I ran outside my his workers where trying to put out the fire with the fire extinguishers from the work warehouse ! The fire department ended up finish putting out the fire ! The whole engine compartment was burnt to a crisp and a huge hole was burnt through the hood on the passenger side along side the firewall of car !
First, my passenger airbag light came on and will not go off. then my emergency breaking system activated while I was driving on the interstate and I was almost hit by a semi from behind I didn't manage to get the vehicle off the road I took it to Nissan . They did a diagnostics and couldn't find anything wrong with the car the emergency braking system has activated several times since then and now my whole dash system seems to freeze up completely and will not let me use anything in the car. I have to put it in park the car off and restart for it to work. Nissan has my vehicle now . …
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to lose power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal but the vehicle failed to respond. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to exit the highway and managed to drive the vehicle to the local dealer. The local dealer diagnosed that the alternator had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure reoccurred and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an unknown second dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the alternator had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the second dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was associated with the alternator. The vehicle was not repaired. …
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.
While pulling into a parking space, I heard my engine racing. Immediately, I felt the car lurch forward. To avoid misapplying my foot to the gas pedal, I withdrew both my feet to the floor, next to the seat. The car continued forward at a fast rate. The car stopped going forward after it struck s building. However, the tires kept spinning, especially the front left tire. The engine ran briefly, until it stopped spontaneously. A few days previously, while driving at about 40 miles per hour on level ground, I felt the gas pedal to be unresponsive. Then it quickly reengaged. I mentioned this to my husband and he suggested that there may have been an air bubble in the fuel line. I don't know if the two events are related. Also, possibly related, I stopped using cruise control, because the car would surge and lapse during use. My insurance company is pursuing spontaneous acceleration. …
The instrument cluster light is out in the car with 40,000 miles. The indicator light does not come on which previously illuminated the temperature, tire pressure and indicates to press the brake to start the car. The light never turns on.
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
On certain passenger vehicles, one of the diodes used in the alternator May have been damaged when built. This can eventually result in failure of the diode and an electrical short which could melt the plastic housing.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the alternator. Owner notification began July 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable…
NHTSA investigations
Alternator fires
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Maxima years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (171), 1999 (83), 2009 (79), 2010 (79) and 2004 (56) model years. Electrical complaints make up 48% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Nissan Maxima electrical problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 02V-171 (alternator/generator/regulator, Jun 24, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Maxima electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 29% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition (167 mentions), followed by the alternator/generator/regulator (52).
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.