2020 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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Common 2020 Nissan Maxima problems
The Nissan Maxima, a reliable four-door sedan, is known for its engine power and smooth ride. However, it has some common problems that affect its reliability and overall performance. This article will explore these issues, focusing on the 2020 model year, based on complaints from owners.
- Leaking and Low-Pressure Air Conditioning (AC) Hose: One of the most common problems with the Nissan Maxima is a leaking and low-pressure AC hose, which can cause the air conditioner to blow warm air. This issue is often found in the 2001 and 2004-2012 models, typically occurring around 87,000 miles. The repair cost can vary, with some owners reporting expenses between $200 and $400, depending on the replacement part's price tag and labor costs.
- Transmission Malfunction and Failure: Nissan Maxima transmission problems are widely reported, with owners experiencing issues such as jerking during shifting, rough gear transitions, vehicle stalling, and slow acceleration. In some cases, these problems can lead to complete transmission failure, making the car dangerous to drive. These issues are particularly prevalent in the 2004-2006 models, occurring around 90,000 to over 100,000 miles. Some owners have reported that Nissan advised them to replace the transmission entirely to resolve the problem.
- Ignition Coil Failure: Older Nissan Maxima models, especially those with higher mileage, may experience ignition coil failure. This issue can lead to misfiring, reduced engine performance, and difficulty starting the vehicle. While this problem is not exclusive to the 2020 model year, it is essential to be aware of it when considering a used Nissan Maxima.
While the 2020 Nissan Maxima has not been specifically mentioned in the search results regarding these common problems, it is crucial for potential buyers to be aware of these issues, as they may still affect the 2020 model year. It is always recommended to perform a thorough inspection and consider extended warranties when purchasing a used vehicle.
What is the common problem with Nissan Maxima?
A prevalent concern among Nissan Maxima owners is a leaking and low-pressure air conditioning (AC) hose, often causing the AC to blow warm air. This issue is notably frequent in 2001 and 2004-2012 models, typically surfacing around 87,000 miles.
Is Nissan Maxima 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.
What year of Nissan Maxima should I stay away from?
Best Nissan Maxima Years to Buy. According to CarComplaints, Nissan Maxima 2004-2008 are the years to avoid. Any year before 2004, although it might not have the best reliability due to being an older model, will serve you well.
How long do Maxima engines last?
A Nissan Maxima can last about 200,000 miles on average, but this of course depends on how well it is maintained. A poorly maintained Maxima has a significantly higher chance to develop major engine and transmission problems before hitting 100,000 – 150,000 miles.
2020 Nissan Maxima car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Nissan Maxima problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Structure problems
- Forward collision avoidance problems
- Service brakes problems
- Latches/locks/linkages problems
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2020 Nissan Maxima vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2020 Nissan Maxima complaints
The NHTSA has received 17 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2020 Nissan Maxima.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-19
- 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.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-22
- VIN: 1N4AA6FVXLC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The sunroof inexplicably blew out while driving on a 3-lane interstate normally taken to work every day in the morning, windows were up. This movable portion of the sunroof is part of the panoramic sun roof. The sun shade was open, it is normally left open. Some small pieces of the glass fell onto me and seats but most was sucked up and away from the car. Thankfully, no glass hit me in the face and no cars were around me. I have rear cam footage of the glass flying out behind the car. Front footage shows nothing hit the car, no one was near enough to suspect otherwise. A picture is attached of what is left.
LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-28
- VIN: 1N4AA6CV5LC
- Components: LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: When I start driving, sometimes I randomly see Key System Error and DAS Malfunction. All other warnings such as emergency brake, traction control, blind spot detection light up. Engine RPM meter keeps going to 0 and back and forth (see video in the link below). When this happens, driver assistance features like forward collision warning, blind spot warning and lane departure warning stops working. Sometimes, I cannot turn off the engine by pressing the Stop Engine button. I have to hold the button for about 5 seconds to stop the engine. Sometimes there's a Chasis Control System error (Attached a picture from last year). This started happening about a year ago and has occurred at least a dozen times so far. I have taken this to different dealerships, and none have been able to identify the issue. I haven't had any accidents on collisions on this vehicle. Please see link below for a video of the behavior. You can see different warnings coming on and off in the video. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-11
- VIN: 1N4AA6DV2LC
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and changing lanes, the hood unlatched, flew open and struck the windshield. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,214.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-17
- VIN: 1N4AA6DV4LC
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: Was getting into the car. As we closed the doors, we heard the sunroof shatter. the edges of the broken glass were pushed up as if the air pressure inside the car broke the glass. If the inside cover was open, we would have been showered in glass. The manufacturer inspected and replaced the glass.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-12
- VIN: 1N4AA6DVXLC
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: My transmission is bad.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-01
- VIN: 1N4AA6FVXLC
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: 1-Clips that secure the front grill and font quarter panels have broken for no apparent reason. 2-Body parts can fall off during driving if not repaired 3-Inspected at dealership 4-No warnings - the front camera looked "cloudy" because it had fallen when the grill clips broke and became loose The entire grill has to be replaced. All parts are on backorder with no date for restock. This is my daily driver with a mix of town and highway driving, so I typically drive 30-70 MPH daily and only about 10 miles per day to and from work. There is very little wear on this car, it has less than 12,000 miles on it and has not been involved in any collision.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-08-30
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1N4AA6DV7LC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Was at a four way stop. Other driver pulled out in front of me and I tried to not hit their vehicle but couldn’t avoid it. I was going around 15 miles per hour. The air bag discharged so hard it broke my windshield and injured my head, neck and lower back.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-07-18
- VIN: 1N4AA6CV2LC
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The front passenger side A-pillar molding flew off while driving in windy weather. This piece could have hit another vehicle and impeded their vision while driving. The molding was not otherwise compromised.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-09-23
- Crash: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated the collision sensor system on the vehicle was malfunctioning, causing the vehicle to brake on its own while reversing in parallel parking. The contact stated the vehicle would always make buzzing sounds while parking. The contact stated while he was reversing out of a parking space on a hill, the vehicle inadvertently stopped, causing him to hit the vehicle in front of him. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.
SERVICE BRAKES,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-08-01
- VIN: 1n4aa6cv9lc
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: While driving 2020 Nissan Maxima Sv the emergency park brake light up and rear brake light up and traction control light up on dash and it act like it looses power and when you go to settings on sonar it big green light in front of car And check engine light came on
PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-05-28
- VIN: 1n4aa6ev8lc
- Components: PARKING BRAKE
- Summary: My emergency brake comes on any time I drive after a heavy rain.. it starts to illuminate vaguely,then eventually the brake light will come on and then eventually it’ll start indicating to pull over. The first time I was in rush hour traffic on a busy highway. Was able to push down on the brake and release long enough to come off an exit before it came back on. Had to let the car sit for over 20 minutes. The second time we had heavy rain I got in the car the following day after 15 mins of driving the brake light started to illuminate and I could not get it to go off I had to pull over several time eventually sitting on the side of the ride for 20 mins again for it to go off. I could smell a burning smell when I exited the vehicle
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-06-10
- VIN: 1N4AA6DV4LC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 50 - 55 mph, the vehicle lost motive power, and the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) System, Slip indicator, and Rear Automatic Braking warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the dealer could not replicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would not authorize the dealer to perform the repair and could not replace or repurchase the vehicle. The failure mileage was 8,296.
STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-11-30
- VIN: 1N4AA6EVXLC
- Components: STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: WINDSHIELD CRACKS RANDOMLY WITH NO POINT OF IMPACT. FRAYS OUTWARD. SEEMS TO BE STRESS FRACTURE FROM THE FRAME. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH 2020 NISSANS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-10-01
- VIN: 1N4AA6FVXLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN FLASHING RED AND THE VEHICLE FORCEFULLY BRAKED INDEPENDENTLY. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES NEARBY AND A CRASH WAS AVOIDED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (SOUTH SHORE NISSAN LOCATED AT 200 SUNRISE HWY, AMITYVILLE, NY 11701, (516) 269-8338) AND WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,BACK OVER PREVENTION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-02-04
- VIN: 1N4AA6EVXLC
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,BACK OVER PREVENTION
- Summary: 2020 NISSAN MAXIMA SR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS GAS CAP DOOR LOCK FUNCTION. *LD THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE BACK UP CAMERA WOULD NEED A SYSTEM UPGRADE DO TO POOR VISIBILITY. *JS
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-12-20
- VIN: 1N4AA6EV5LC
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: NISSAN IN THE 2020 MAXIMA MODELS REMOVED THE LOCKING FEATURE OF THE GAS CAP DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR POSSIBLE VANDALISM TO THE VEHICLE A PERSONAL SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IS A KEYED LOCKING CAP IS INSTALLED THE INDIVIDUAL HAS TO FUMBLE THROUGH UNLOCKING THE CAP IN ORDER TO FILL THE TANK. NEITHER THE SALES PERSON OR SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL KNEW THIS FEATURE HAD BEEN REMOVED IN THE 2020 MODEL. IT'S AVAILABLE IN THE 2019 MAXIMA MODELS. THE REMOVAL OF THIS FEATURE, EVEN THOUGH ITS STANDARD ON MOST VEHICLES SOLD IN NORTH AMERICA SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCLOSED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. FURTHER, THE FACT THAT NEITHER THE SALES PERSON AT THE DEALER, SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL OR MANAGEMENT AT THE DEALER KNEW ABOUT THIS, SHOWS THAT NISSAN PURPOSELY WITHHELD THIS INFORMATION FROM THE CONSUMERS. HAD I KNOWN THIS FEATURE WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, EVEN THOUGH IT'S STILL AVAILABLE IN LESS EXPENSIVE MODELS IN THE NISSAN BRAND, I MAY HAVE OPTED TO PURCHASE A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. NISSAN MARKETS IT PRODUCTS AS BEING OVERLY SAFE, HOW DOES THE REMOVAL OF THIS KEY FEATURE MAKE THE NISSAN AS SAFE AS NISSAN MARKET THEIR PRODUCTS? THE REMOVAL OF THIS FEATURE MAKES THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PERSON FUELING THE VEHICLE QUESTIONABLE! *JS
2020 Nissan Maxima recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2020 Nissan Maxima.
- 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.
Negative 2020 Nissan Maxima car reviews
Positive 2020 Nissan Maxima car reviews
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I am thrilled with my 2020 Nissan Maxima SL sedan. It is elegant, sporty, comfortable, and possesses effortless power. I considered upper trim levels of several popular vehicles, but the Maxima had the best combination of attributes, with very few cons. While the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are nice, they are more suited for those looking for a family sedan. The Avalon was nice, but the styling is boring, and although it has the same engine rating of 300 HP, the Maxima just seems quite a bit more powerful, especially in sports mode. The Maxima is flat out fun to drive and it turns a lot of heads with its aggressive styling and bold lines. I read many reviews and the critics have never been impressed with the CVT Xtronic transmission, and for good reason. But the latest generation Maxima's have been using the D-Step logic Xtronic CVT's which have proven to be very reliable. I owned a 2014 Nissan Altima and while I never had problems with the CVT (traded it in at 152,000 miles), it did shift kind of odd. Not the 2020 Maxima, you would swear you are driving a very smooth shifting conventional automatic. Plus, although it's classified as a full-size sedan, it's actually better described as a midsize sedan on steroids. What I love about it too, it's not your run of the mill sedan. Be prepared to get a lot of compliments. If you are looking for purely a family car to tote around the kids and the dog, you probably should look elsewhere. But if you are looking for a classy, entry-level luxury sedan, with sporty good looks and awesome acceleration, and is a sheer delight to drive, even to work, look no further than this gem. While it's not a sports car per se, and it's not a pure luxury car, Nissan did a great job of giving you a big taste of both. I'm sure you will love it 100%, I certainly do!
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Your car sounds amazing! It's so comfortable and powerful, making your long commutes stress-free. The exterior is stunning and looks aggressive, often mistaken for a luxury vehicle. It's impressive that you've put over 109,500 miles on it and it still runs like new. It's clear that you have a strong attachment to your car and I can understand why!
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The 2019 Nissan Maxima SR is such a joy to drive! The new sundrift color for 19' looks amazing and the car has a very stylish and sleek design. I love traveling and cruising through town in it. I haven't gone anywhere yet without someone complimenting the design.
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This is a really great and safety-oriented vehicle to own. It's classy and sharp, and very comfortable.
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I love my Maxima and have been driving a Nissan for years, and my son has one.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2020 Nissan Maxima problems:
2020 Nissan Maxima SV : r/Nissan
Dec 12, 2022 ... My concern is the CVT transmission issues in Nissans. I'm wondering if the transmission problems in these vehicles have been worked out by the ...
2020 Nissan Maxima Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2020 Nissan Maxima? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
2020+ Maxima or Altima still suffer from CVT issues? : r/Nissan
Sep 13, 2023 ... The CVTs have been getting better and better with each passing generation. V6 CVTs (Maxima, Murano, Pathfinder, Quest) have always tended to be ...
2018 - 2020 Nissan Maxima Pre-Purchase Concerns - Nissan ...
Jul 24, 2022 ... Consumer Reports rates the Maxima's reliability 39 points higher than the Regal Sportback. J.D. Power and Associates rated the Maxima first ...
Has Nissan Fixed the CVT Problems?(2021) - Maxima Forums
Jul 16, 2021 ... ... Generation Maxima (2016-) - Has Nissan Fixed the CVT Problems?(2021) - I ... 2020 have been SR models. My 2017 was gifted ... Maxima CVT issues is ...
Other years of Nissan Maxima
Are you having problems with your 2020 Nissan Maxima?
Allen Fahey 2024-09-20
Hi there! I noticed a couple of issues with my Nissan that I was hoping you could help me with. Unfortunately, I've been having trouble with the Android Auto feature on my car, as it seems to be incompatible with the current release of Android phone operating systems. When I reached out to Nissan, they informed me that they have no plans to address this issue with an upgrade. Additionally, I've noticed that the mpg calculator consistently overstates the actual gas mileage. Do you have any suggestions on how I can address these concerns? Thank you!
Oliver Bashirian 2024-09-18
I drove off the dealer's lot in August 2019 and the car was whisper quiet, taking bumpy roads without even a shake. However, by December 2019, the ride was no longer smooth and the road noise was loud. I took it to two dealers, but they said nothing was wrong. I was confused and frustrated. So, I decided to call Nissan's customer service to seek help. Unfortunately, they were unable to assist me and suggested that I take it back to the dealer. I went back to my dealer and the Service Manager and I went for a test drive. He said the car was fine and that the hard ride and road noise was what the younger market wanted. I may have to trade this car in for something that matches the manufacturer's advertising and the expert reviews. My Nissan Maxima does not. Can anyone help me deal with what seems to be a company with no regard for its customers?
Leone Lynch 2024-07-10
The car has experienced several issues, including transmission problems, automatic braking radar sensor problems, paint quality control, leaking windshield, poor interior quality, and lots of rattles, especially with the rear sunshade. However, we can confidently address these issues with our expertise and ensure that they are resolved to your satisfaction.
Tanner Howe 2024-06-27
I had the worst car experience ever. I will never consider Nissan again!