Equipment complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 | 2% | 51,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% | 72,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% | 7,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% | 133,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% | 93,000 miles |
| 2004 | 18 | 1% | 27,000 miles |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% | 22,000 miles |
| 2002 | 7 | 3% | 5,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% | 55,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 0% | 45,000 miles |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% | 132,000 miles |
| 1996 | 3 | 3% | 207,000 miles |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accessories, trailer hitches and other equipment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I tried to start my car this morning but the car would not start. There was yellow light that said key and when I tried to depress the brake nothing happened. There was an extended warranty for the 2009 maximas for the same exact issue that I have - its due to the steering column locking. No extended warranty was given for the 2010's which is wrong because clearly there still a problem with the steering column that was not fixed for the 2010 models but Nissan stated that is was infact fixed and no warranty/discount/etc will be given for the 2010s. I will have to pay over $1000 for faulty design due to Nissan. Never buying another Nissan again!
Electronic steering column lock - (escl) failed. Car will not start. Key fob is operational. Known issue with 2009-2010 nissans. Units are defective, Nissan not willing to take responsibility for 2010 parts. Failure will happen instantly, and will leave you stranded anytime anyplace. Vehicle has to be towed to dealership for repair. Repair cost is >$1,000.00
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 95,000. Updated 08/16/16
Transmission issues. After 65,000 miles 2005 Nissan Maxima jerks between low gears shifts and slips frequently during normal driving. A transmission flush has been done on this vehicle as recommended by Nissan service staff however issues continue.
I was driving to work July 3rd, 2013 around 7:00 am. I smelled smoke in my car so I pulled over, opened my hood and I didn't see anything. I got back in my car and continued to drive to work. I smelled smoke again, only this time to realize that my bottom was getting hot. I looked down to the right to see if my seat warmer was on and it wasn't. Then my seat began to move forward & backward by itself about 3 times. I turned back around to the front and there was a cloud of smoke in my face & flames at my feet. I quickly grabbed my phone and my ipad, released my seat belt, pulled up my emergency brake, opened the door and jumped out of my car falling onto the ground, jump up, and called 911. While waiting on the fire department & the police I stood there crying hysterically, terrified and watched my car go up in flames.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Nissan Maxima. Since the vehicle was purchased, the contact has experienced failures with the radio and headlights, the rotors were replaced three times, the front coil springs were replaced twice, and the battery wiring burned. Currently, the transmission pulls when the vehicle is accelerated. The vehicle will be taken to the dealer to diagnose the transmission failure. The manufacturer stated that no recalls were available for any of the failures. The current mileage was 49,000 and failure mileage was 26,000.
The headlights to a 2003 Nissan Maxima have been stolen on two separate occasions. On both occssions the thiefs bent the internal metal frame that mounts the bumper to the car to provide access to the headlight from below. This frame is a sheet metal stamping that can easily be bent by applying a small amount of a persons body weight to the structure. The sheet metal construction of the fender and hood also allow a thief to gain access to the headlight by forcibly bending back these structures. The plastic bracket that houses the headlight and mounts it to the frame of the car is shattered by prying it from the frame with a tool. This plastic structure is not sufficiently strong enough to deter a thief from stealing the headlight. There is an additional sheet metal structure that mounts the plastic headlight housing to the frame of the car. …
I bought a 2003 Maxima se October 2005. My left side speakers would cut in and out only on the cd player. I found the TSB on this and had only had the car for 5 days. Salesman told me I would have to pay for a new one and had to get the manager to send my radio off to a place to get repaired. One month later it quit working again. I have read on numerous web sites about the way Nissan treats people with this problem. I cannot afford to shell out $600 for a new Nissan radio that will break in a few months anyway. And an aftermarket radio takes away from that original look for me. Can they not replace it with the 2002 radio (a new one ) because I haven't heard any complaints on that year. The dealership was crown Pontiac in hoover, alabama. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Maxima years have equipment problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (18), 2002 (7), 2001 (5), 2003 (5) and 2005 (5) model years. Equipment complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Nissan Maxima equipment problems?
No. NHTSA lists no equipment & accessories recall for any Nissan Maxima model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Nissan Maxima equipment problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles; 43% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the electrical › radio/tape deck/cd etc. (18 mentions), followed by the electrical (3).
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.