Nissan Maxima problems
The Nissan Maxima is a car manufactured and marketed by Nissan and offered as Nissan's flagship sedan primarily in North America, the Middle East, South Korea, and China—and currently in its eighth generation. Having debuted for model year 1982 as the Datsun Maxima, it replaced the earlier Datsun 810. The name Maxima dates to the 1981 model year when Datsun marketed the upscale 810 as the 810 Maxima in North America. Like the 810, early versions of the Maxima had their origins in the Datsun/Nissan Bluebird. It is renamed to Nissan Maxima when the Datsun brand was phased out for the 1985 model year.
The Maxima was marketed as an upscale alternative to the Altima and prior to 1993, the Stanza, distinguished by features such as a premium interior and V6 engine. Most Maximas were built in Oppama, Japan, until North American assembly began in Smyrna, Tennessee for the 2004 model year.
For the US and Canada, Nissan ended production of the Maxima in July 2023.
Outside North America, the Maxima nameplate has also been applied to variants or trim levels of several other models.
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Nissan Maxima model years
Common Nissan Maxima problems
Based on the complaints from owners of Nissan Maxima cars, several common problems have been reported:
- Transmission Malfunction and Failure:
- Owners have reported jerking when shifting, rough gear transitions, vehicle stalling, and slow acceleration, ultimately leading to total transmission failure. This problem is common in 2004-2006 Nissan Maxima models, typically occurring between 90,000 to over 100,000 miles. Some cases have been severe enough to render the cars undrivable, posing safety risks.
- Ignition Coil Failure:
- Failed ignition coils can trigger the check engine light, affecting the engine's performance. This issue is reported in late-model Nissan Maximas and can be a source of concern for owners. While not catastrophic, it can lead to performance issues and the need for timely repairs.
- Power Steering Failure:
- The power steering pressure hose can fail, resulting in power steering fluid leaks. This problem requires the replacement of the power steering pressure hose to resolve the issue.
- Front Seat Wear:
- Front seats in Nissan Maxima cars are known to wear down quickly at the sides, although the exact cause of this problem is unknown. Owners can choose to live with the issue or opt to have the seats re-covered or replaced to address the wear and tear.
- Idling Problems:
- Irregular idling, where the engine does not maintain constant revs, is often linked to a blocked Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor. Cleaning the MAF sensor can help resolve this issue and restore proper engine performance.
These common problems reported by Nissan Maxima owners highlight key areas of concern that may impact the performance, safety, and comfort of the vehicle. Regular maintenance and prompt attention to these issues can help ensure the longevity and reliability of the Nissan Maxima.
Is the Nissan Maxima a reliable car?
RepairPal gave the Nissan Maxima a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, ranking it 9th out of 32 car brands in the same category. The Nissan Maxima suffers from a few common problems, including a leaking and low-pressure air conditioning hose, transmission malfunction and failure, and a faulty front-seat wire harness.
Is 200,000 miles on a Nissan Maxima bad?
In terms of mileage and overall lifespan, you can expect somewhere between 200,000 and 300,000 miles of use from your Nissan Maxima assuming that it is well-maintained and kept in above-average condition.
Are there any problems with the Nissan Maxima?
Nissan Maxima Reliability Problems. Maxima owners have made 1,351 complaints over 31 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 22nd in overall reliability out of 26 Nissan models , with real transmission and engine concerns.
Why did Nissan discontinue the Maxima?
With many modern drivers preferring SUVs and crossovers to sedans, as well as the rise in popularity of electric vehicles, the automaker decided to scale back sedan production to other models, thereby discontinuing the Maxima.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Nissan Maxima years
We have researched Nissan problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Nissan Maxima cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Nissan Maxima model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Nissan Maxima model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Nissan Maxima years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Nissan Maxima car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Nissan Maxima , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Power train problems
- Electrical system problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Steering problems
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Nissan Maxima vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Maxima model years
A total of 351 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Maxima model years
There were a total of 341 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Maxima model years
There were a total of 355 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Maxima model years
There were a total of 16 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 7090 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Nissan Maxima . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Nissan Maxima vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Nissan Maxima 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-09
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-16
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1N4AA5AP3EC
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 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. I visited my primary care physician the afternoon of the accident and was diagnosed with whiplash.
Nissan Maxima 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-12
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-12
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact started losing control of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the lug nuts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was not available.
Nissan Maxima 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-10
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-07
- VIN: 1N4AA6AP6GC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: No matter what speed you’re going it puts itself in false neutral. Abs , traction control comes on battery light flashes. No power steering and will not accelerate. Have almost been ran into and ran over. There is no warning when this happens and not yet find a service department or garage that can fix the problem. Very dangerous especially for a new driver, I bought this car for my daughter. This has happened more than once and now we do not drive the car due to it not being safe. New battery and alternator checks good. Has been scanned for codes several times.
Nissan Maxima 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-19
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-31
- VIN: 1N4AA6EV9LC
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Forward collision warning turns on about 20 seconds after the car starts. There was no accident or obstructions to the sensors, this apperas to just be equipment failure on a car with only 30k miles on it.
Nissan Maxima 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-26
- VIN: 1N4AA6AP5HC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Airbag warning light stays on at the dashboard. Passenger air bag light indicates airbag is off when someone is actually in the seat. This is incorrect.
Nissan Maxima 2012
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-06
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-20
- VIN: 1N4AA5AP9CC
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: Since 2018 to present day. I been having difficulties with the visibility from my front windshield at sunny days. The dashboard has this sticky substance that make the dashboard really shinny, and reflect the sun light on the windshield, blocking the view and make it hard to see the road and vehicles. I had to use sunglasses to block this issue, but in some cases this will not improved and can make it worst. I had couple of near miss, and I have to stop driving my car at times to avoid this issue.
Nissan Maxima 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-12
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-15
- VIN: 1N4AA6AP1GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: This is third time this has happened. I already filled out one, but they have already replaced my altenator. My car worked fine for about a month, and then it did the same thing where I can't excelarate and the car limps at 1 MPH till it eventually shuts off and will not start up. If you jump the car it will work again, but not for long until it does the same thing. On the Nissan Forums alot of people are talking about this same issue, but nothing is being done and the only fix is to find an OEM altenator, but Nissan doesn't make one anymore. This is really starting to become a huge problem.
Nissan Maxima 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-08
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-17
- VIN: 1N4AA6APXGC
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: 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.
Nissan Maxima 2011
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-15
- VIN: 1N4AA5AP5BC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Airbag warning came on. I took to dealership for diagnostic. There was malfunction with the passenger airbag. Seat coushin needed to be replaced so the “normal” wear and tear airbag would no longer be an issue. Nissan stated this is not a safety concern and all expenses were out of pocket.
Nissan Maxima 2011
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-27
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-29
- VIN: 1N4AA5AP5BC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The transmission is slipping it’s a cvt and they’re known for being the worst transmissions. I was entering the highway on a on ramp and I could no longer accelerate past 55 I was near flooring it and you can hear the engine working but the rpm’s are all over the odometer going from 3k-6.5k over and over. The problem has not been diagnosed professionally. The vehicle has not been inspected professionally.There were no lights on the dash when this began happening and nothing occurred that led up to that situation it was just a normal drive for me and now this happens every other day.
Nissan Maxima 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-27
- VIN: 1N4AA6AP9GC
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 2016 nissan, noticed while stuck in traffic on highway on rainy day the vehicle seemed to want to loose power and battery light was coming on. I was able to exit highway an make it home. Later that night while at laundry mat headed to get food the car wouldn't accelerate eventually died an wouldn't start. Next day go to get it towed yet started no problem acceleration was fine alternator voltage was normal range. Few weeks later battery was dead which I have replaced. Alternator voltage still reads normal. I get about 20 minutes driving and battery light pops on eventually soon power steering and traction control goes out then car will die. If leave it few hrs 2-4hr an come back is fine. But can't drive 20min before it is a problem again. Has caused serious finacial strain and still paying for vehicle close to loosing employment it dies everyday then I have to pay for ride home and to go back to get it later. Have gotting stuck in intersection car just stops working. People have almost crashed into me because i cant get it off the road. Electrical or software computer problem somewhere.
Nissan Maxima 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-24
- VIN: 1N4AA6AP3GC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: [XXX] this is the exact problem, I couldn't explain it any better. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Nissan Maxima 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-30
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-21
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1N4AA6EV3NC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: The contact owned a 2022 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving at 40 MPH and attempting to stop at a stop sign, with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the driver swerved in an attempt to avoid a collision, side-swiping the vehicle ahead and colliding with 3 light poles before coasting to a complete stop on the shoulder of the roadway. The air bags did not deploy during the impact, resulting in the driver sustaining minor injuries. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. A police report was filed. The contact's granddaughter sustained nondescript injuries to her head and knees but did not seek medical treatment. The contact also stated that, though she was made aware that the driver of the other vehicle had reported injuries, the injuries and treatment were unknown. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Nissan Maxima 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-17
- VIN: 1N4AA6AP1GC
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: Alternator loses power and car doesn’t accelerate. Vehicle shuts down and will not start after. When running diagnostics after everything shows fine and after a jump car works again and reads fine. Happens again after driving for 40+ mins
Nissan Maxima 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2022-08-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-16
- VIN: 1N4AA5AP6EC
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The dim lights on the vehicle are very dim, the fog lights are brighter than the dim lights. I’ve replaced the bulbs and headlights and neither fixed the issue. You can barely see in front of the car with the dim lights. It’s very unsafe to drive at night.
Latest 5 recalls Nissan Maxima
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 108 recalls for different components of the Nissan Maxima.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Nissan Maxima 2001
- Report Received Date: 2022-08-09
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
- Model: Nissan Maxima 2002
- Report Received Date: 2022-08-09
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
- Model: Nissan Maxima 2003
- Report Received Date: 2022-08-09
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
- Model: Nissan Maxima 2020
- Report Received Date: 2020-09-22
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.
- Consequence: Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC752.
- Model: Nissan Maxima 2002
- Report Received Date: 2020-01-09
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
Latest negative Nissan Maxima car reviews
Latest positive Nissan Maxima car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2018
Update: Hi there! I just wanted to share that I still absolutely love my car, even after owning it since Dec. '17 and putting 45,000 miles on it. The gas mileage is still fantastic and I haven't had a single issue with it. It's also the quietest car I've ever owned, which is a huge plus. I've only had to change the oil, oil filter, and add a bit of power steering fluid - it's been that reliable! It's perfect for both long road trips and driving around town, and there's plenty of room for passengers. I've actually received more compliments on this car than any other car I've owned. And the best part? I've been running it on regular grade gas without any issues. Thanks for letting me share my positive experience with you!
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Vehicle year: 2010
You've driven the car about 2,500 miles both in the city and on the highway. You've noticed that the highway mileage is about 28 mpg whether or not you use the recommended premium fuel. The best mileage you've gotten was 33 mpg, while the worst was 22 mpg. The power is good and the interior is comfortable for 4 people. The sunroof is a great feature. The trunk is a bit small, but you can still fit 1 large suitcase and 3 small ones. Overall, it sounds like you're quite happy with the Maxima!
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Vehicle year: 2002
This is a great option for those looking for a sporty ride with a touch of luxury. The V6 engine is powerful and feels like a small V8. The brakes and steering are also impressive. However, if you are a spirited driver, you may find the suspension disappointing as it is tuned more for comfort than performance. The body rolls heavily and the springs/struts could be improved. The 6-speed gears are well spaced, but the throw seems extra long and the feel is very notchy - like working a big screwdriver in a bowl full of marbles! Nissan could learn a thing or two from Honda. Despite these shortcomings, the V6 engine more than makes up for them and makes this perhaps the best sport sedan available for under $28K.
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Vehicle year: 1992
I found the car on Autotrader with 55k miles. I flew from Birmingham to Columbia, MD and drove it home. At speeds between 55-65 mph, I got 31+ mpg. The clutch and main bearing were replaced at 72k miles, and all window regulators have been replaced. I drive aggressively, and this car fits the bill perfectly. In my experience, nothing retains the fun, style, and reliability of a 3rd gen. 92-94 Maxima SE 5-speed. The 4DSC now has 97k miles on it and still runs strong. It's a smooth, sporty, and stylish sedan. If you're lucky enough to find a 92-94 SE 5-speed in good shape with relatively low miles, grab it quickly. You'll be thanking yourself the first time you shift 3rd to 4th at 100 mph. This car is great!
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Vehicle year: 2007
I recently traded my Audi A8 for a new SL because I was tired of the high upkeep costs. While the Maxima doesn't quite match the overall ride quality of the A8, it still drives very well and has every feature and more at a much more reasonable price. If you're looking for a dependable, feature-loaded car at a good price, the Maxima is definitely worth considering. I've only had it for three days, but I've already taken it on a 300-mile road trip and I'm very pleased with its performance. I'm counting on it being dependable and inexpensive to maintain, unlike my A8. My Pathfinder, which I bought new in 1990 and now has 175K miles, has been a reliable car for me.
Are you having problems with your Nissan Maxima?
Brady Dickinson 2025-08-22
Vehicle year: 2019
We purchased a brand new 2016 Maxima SR and initially loved it. Unfortunately, we experienced a number of issues with the car. It had to be taken to the shop multiple times due to an oil leak, which took three days to find and fix. Additionally, there were at least four factory recalls, all of which were addressed. Recently, a bracket holding the muffler broke, which cost $200 to fix. After driving it home, the emission light came on and we had to return to the dealer. We ended up paying $875.00 to replace an oxygen sensor, but that wasn't the only issue. A transmission code also appeared, indicating that the CVT was slipping and needed to be replaced. Fortunately, this was covered by the drivetrain warranty. Despite having only 43k miles and being well-maintained, we have decided to move on from Nissan. We have owned two Maximas, two Altimas, and a 350z, but we are now ready for a change.
Marcellus Bergnaum 2025-08-22
Vehicle year: 2008
I have had problems with this vehicle since the day we drove it home from the dealer. After 4 months of trying to deal with Nissan, we have yet to have anyone actually take responsibility to fix or replace this car. We have waited weeks for phone calls. We have a brand new car that we are afraid to drive and nobody seems to know how to fix it. Nissan is also ignoring the service dept at the dealership attempting to repair this car. Guess the next step is to hire a lawyer.
Geovanni Schowalter 2025-08-17
Vehicle year: 1993
For having 173,000 miles, I must say it has been a very dependable car. Although I had to have some axle work done on it when I first got it due to the previous owner's lack of maintenance, I have had it for about 5 1/2 years now with no complaints. However, it is important to avoid driving through storm flood waters as the transmission dip stick is low on the car, which can allow water to get into the transmission. I am currently dealing with this issue.
Nickolas Witting 2025-08-16
Vehicle year: 1999
I bought my Max in 2005 with 118K miles on it (now 214K). Over the years, I have had to spend an average of about 1000-1500K a year on repairs. However, the exceptional VQ V6 and transmission combo in these older model maximas is even better than the 2004 Avalon's legendary V6 that I recently purchased to replace it. The only problem is that everything around it is falling apart. Every time I fix one problem, two more show up. It can be frustrating. Additionally, I got tired of having to feed it premium gas. I tried regular, but the knocking sounded like someone was trying to break into my house. Despite my gripes, I still own her. I'm hooked on the powertrain. I plan to keep it through winter and then say goodbye.
Uriel Jones 2025-08-14
Vehicle year: 2011
I bought a 2011 Maxima for $42,000 with the intention of following the warranty maintenance to ensure it would last me a lifetime. Unfortunately, I have experienced a lot of problems with this car over the past 6 years. I have had to replace 3 batteries, the sway bar, idle sensor, and the spring broke in half. Additionally, I have had to replace the struts, lower control arm, and front windshield which cracked in the first year of owning the car. I have also had to replace the brakes every year. The suspension has been problematic and I have had to align the car 6 times. It's been a frustrating experience and I feel like I have a lemon on my hands.