Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 14% | 106,000 miles |
| 2019 | 3 | 17% | 19,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2017 | 11 | 10% | 112,000 miles |
| 2016 | 33 | 23% | 63,000 miles |
| 2014 | 22 | 23% | 77,000 miles |
| 2013 | 24 | 39% | 106,000 miles |
| 2012 | 18 | 17% | 90,000 miles |
| 2011 | 22 | 21% | 95,000 miles |
| 2010 | 15 | 5% | 104,000 miles |
| 2009 | 11 | 3% | 119,000 miles |
| 2008 | 8 | 10% | 89,000 miles |
| 2007 | 16 | 12% | 97,000 miles |
| 2006 | 393 | 68% | 85,000 miles |
| 2005 | 777 | 82% | 85,000 miles |
| 2004 | 934 | 65% | 84,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% | 75,000 miles |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% | 42,000 miles |
| 2001 | 8 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
| 2000 | 22 | 6% | 97,000 miles |
| 1999 | 8 | 5% | 132,000 miles |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% | 108,000 miles |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% | 135,000 miles |
| 1996 | 12 | 13% | 48,000 miles |
| 1995 | 12 | 8% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to park and turn off the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to shift into park, the STOP button failed to respond, and the vehicle suddenly accelerated, crashed into a tree in the median strip, knocked down three poles, and the brake pedal was depressed but became unresponsive. The vehicle continued driving and crashed into a sign pole and came to a stop. The contact stated that a tire also exploded during the crash. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. The contact and her husband sustained injuries during the crash. The contact's husband sustained a fractured left shoulder and had since developed balance issues. The contact sustained balance issues and weakness in the body. Medical attention was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle jerked before stalling in the middle of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The Police were called to block traffic. The vehicle was towed. The tow truck driver had issues while attempting to tow the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the vehicle failed to start. The contact would turn on the engine, and several minutes later, the vehicle stalled. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. It was unknown if the contact's husband had replaced the battery. …
I purchased my 2019 Nissan Maxima [redacted] from Hyundai of Pineville I'm Charlotte NC. Over the past months including after purchase which I made Hyundai aware. The vehicle has an ongoing noise coming from I side the front hood of the vehicle. It sounds as of a pan etc... is hitting something, at times in slow motion there is a whining noise coming from the car, when just sitting in driver seat and pressing gas pedal when the car idle down after pressing the gas pedal there is a thump noise. The original owner of the vehicle traded the vehicle at Hyundai and appears they were from out of state is where the vehicle is from. So I have not received no recall etc... info also the prior owner, I keep getting stuff with there name.
Unknown I was trying to trying to purchase vehicle and was approved 1 sales man told me there was transmission problem they didn't want to disclose and I kept asking them as I test drive it and heard it it's seems to be something wrong with it but everyone said no it turns out that there was damage not only to transmission when it had accident but body damage dealership hasn't donet want to report rear fender and it's misleading alot and
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.
The vehicle experienced a no start condition and was towed to a dealership. The dealership performed major engine and timing repairs without authorization and kept the vehicle for nearly four months. After the repairs, the vehicle still cranks but will not start, requires jump starts, and now has new electrical issues and a nonfunctional A/C system.The safety risk is that the vehicle can fail to start unexpectedly, stall, or lose electrical power, which could leave occupants stranded in unsafe conditions. The issue has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealership, but they were unable to diagnose or repair it. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership and a warranty company.There were no warning lights before the failure. The symptoms began immediately before the vehicle was towed and have continued after the dealership's repairs.
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 the vehicle was unable to recognize the key fob inside the vehicle while attempting to start the vehicle. The contact stated a warning message was illuminated to keep the key fob close to the push to start button. The contact called the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the key fob battery to be replaced. The key fob battery was changed but continued to experience the failure. The contact also stated that the vehicle was also stalling. The contact took the vehicle to Paul Miller Nissan (930 Kings Hwy E, Fairfield, CT 06825: [phone]) where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission and the crankshaft sensor to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Related recalls (1)
Power train
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a traction control system, the odometer in the subject vehicles registers distance in kilometers instead of miles as is specified in the design. The odometer does not have a label that indicates "kilometers" or "km" as required by FMVSS no. 101, "controls and displays."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the odometer to determine if it is correct and, if not, will replace the speedometer/odometer assembly. Owner notification began December 12, 2001.
NHTSA investigations
Transmission hose leak
This pe was opened for model year (my) 2008 Nissan maxima vehicles based on early warning data that the automatic transmission cooler hose May have pinholes and/or cracks resulting in a transmission fluid leak.the leaked fluid can contact the exhaust system and ignite.Nissan has shown that the root cause of the pinholes and/or cracks in the hose is excessive stress during the manufacture forming process resulting in…
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Maxima years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (934), 2005 (777), 2006 (393), 2016 (33) and 2013 (24) model years. Transmission complaints make up 65% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Nissan Maxima transmission problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 02V-010 (power train, Jan 11, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Maxima transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles; 7% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (1,092 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (33).
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.