Fuel System complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2017 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2016 | 10 | 7% | 5,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% | 40,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% | 40,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% | 100,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% | 82,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% | 30,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% | 86,000 miles |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% | 36,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% | 88,000 miles |
| 2005 | 8 | 1% | 101,000 miles |
| 2004 | 8 | 1% | 105,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% | 188,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 4% | 68,000 miles |
| 2001 | 10 | 6% | 120,000 miles |
| 2000 | 9 | 3% | 102,000 miles |
| 1999 | 4 | 2% | 142,000 miles |
| 1998 | 5 | 4% | — |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% | 93,000 miles |
| 1996 | 3 | 3% | 207,000 miles |
| 1995 | 7 | 5% | 79,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My car has been "losing power" while driving. While driving and pressing the gas pedal, the car will stop accelerating and kind of goes into an idle state. Highly dangerous! It happened the other day while I was attempting to enter traffic. It has been happening off and on for the last 2 weeks and has been happening more frequently, meaning several times a day. It seems to happen more often when the temperature outside is hot (90+ degrees). Also, with the last few times, after it happens and I regain power, the ABS light comes on and remains on until I shut off the engine.
This issue is intermittent, has been checked several times by my dealer and does not show up in any errors. The car will stall at random times. It started out mostly when I stopped accelerating, either when stopped at a light or turning a corner. Occasionally will stall while driving. Usually it is very brief but occasionally takes a few seconds to re engage. Only once on the freeway but primarily on city streets. I am reporting this today but it has been happening intermittently save I purchased the vehicle since May 2018.
There was a thermal combustion that caused a fire. Yes, the caught combusted at a local business. I had just entered the building and was told that my car was on fire. The police and Nissan inspected the car but refused to provide the inspection report. A light came on. I do not know the exact date that it appeared. I just received the recall notice and did not have the opportunity to get the car repaired.
2016 Nissan Maxima SR, problem started at 22000 miles, car runs fine, then when hitting a bump or railroad tracks, and sometime while accelerating at a light or from a stop the car goes into limp mode, max speed is apx 6 mph just enough to get it off road, at times it stalls in the intersection or when you come to a stop. Traction control light and engine light come on until you shut car down and restart. engine light remains on solid but can be driven in most cases, at times it turns over then stalls, if you wait long enough it usually resets snd is drivable. Has several DTC codes when checked on of them is P1735 and a few others. It's dangerous because you lose the ability to get properly through an intersection or to get by traffic on highway or side street, I have put my emergency lights on several times when this has happened. …
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. …
Over the last couple months I've noticed my vehicle delay acceleration after coming to a stop. I've also noticed jerking while driving at a constant speed. First I thought it was bad gas but the problem has persisted for several fill ups now. I thought maybe the transmission fluid needed to be replaced so I paid a couple hundred bucks to have it serviced. The problem continued. I took it to a local car shop to get it scanned. There were no codes present at the time. A few weeks later and after nearly being struck by three different vehicles in one day, I decided to try a different car repair shop. At the tune of another $91.00 for the diagnosis, this time it threw 5 codes all for transmission. The mechanic proceeded to tell me about all of the problems people have been having with Nissan's and their CVT Transmissions. …
While waiting for a traffic light to turn green the car stalled. Had to turn the car starter several times before the car would start again. The dealer diagnosed the issue as a failed cam and crank shaft sensor. Prior to this incident the car had trouble starting and would stall when the engine was cold. The dealer diagnosed the issue as the fuel pump not holding its pressure. Cam and crank shaft sensors were replaced as well as the fuel pump.
Vehicle hesitates to shift the transmission during acceleration. Most noticeable while the vehicle is going up an hill. The transmission produce a whining sound if the pedal is depressed to increase the acceleration. Transmission was replaced at just below 33,000 miles by the dealer. The ABS motor is running intermittently when the surface is dry and no rain or snow. This car was taken to the dealer numerous times without being repaired or an accurate diagnosis of the problem. The hinges on the hood and the doors are rusting. Th
Related recalls (1)
Fuel system, gasoline
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the agency on July 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 18, 2015.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit. The recall began on September 28, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Maxima years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (10), 2016 (10), 2000 (9), 2002 (8) and 2004 (8) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Nissan Maxima fuel system problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 15V-486 (fuel system, gasoline, Aug 4, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Maxima fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles; 29% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the fuel injection system (6 mentions), followed by the storage › tank assembly (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.