2021 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 2021 Nissan Maxima problems
The Nissan Maxima is a reliable sedan, but it has some common problems that owners have reported, particularly with certain model years. Here are the most common issues:
- Transmission Malfunction and Failure: Transmission problems are prevalent in the 2004-2006 Nissan Maxima models, happening at around 90,000 to over 100,000 miles. Owners have reported jerky shifting, rough gear transition, vehicle stalling, and slow acceleration until the transmission fails. Some cases have become severe, with owners no longer driving their cars due to potential collisions. Nissan has advised total transmission replacement in some instances.
- Ignition Coil Failure: This issue is common in older Nissan Maxima models. Failed ignition coils can lead to a check engine light. While this problem is not catastrophic, it can be annoying and may require repair.
- Faulty Takata Airbags: The 5th generation Nissan Maxima (2000-2003) was affected by the Takata airbag inflator issue, which can explode and shoot metal fragments after deployment, leading to potential injuries or deaths.
- Defective Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): The 7th and 8th generation Maxima models experienced faulty AEB, causing the vehicle to brake suddenly without obstructions on the road, leading to multiple lawsuits.
- Power Steering Pump, AC Lines, and Other Issues: The Nissan Maxima has had other problems over the years, including issues with the power steering pump, AC lines, and various electrical and steering problems.
While the Nissan Maxima is generally a reliable car, these common problems should be considered when purchasing a used model. It's essential to research specific model years and seek professional advice to ensure a reliable and trouble-free ownership experience.
Are 2021 Nissan Maxima reliable?
How Reliable Is the 2021 Nissan Maxima? The 2021 Nissan Maxima has a predicted reliability score of 93 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
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.
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.
Are Nissan Maxima transmission problems?
What year did Nissan have transmission problems? Nissan has had various transmission problems over the years with its various models. Some of those that have been known to experience transmission issues include the 2004-2009 Nissan Murano, the 2004-2006 Nissan Maxima, and the 2005-2007 Nissan Pathfinder.
2021 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:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Structure problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2021 Nissan Maxima vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2021 Nissan Maxima complaints
The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Nissan Maxima.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-15
- VIN: 1N4AA6CV5MC
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk and was shaking. The vehicle felt as though the brake pedal was being depressed. The oil light was flashing. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle was repaired. After driving the vehicle, the vehicle was parked, and his son noticed there was a puddle of oil underneath the vehicle. The vehicle failed to start. The contact checked the oil level and noticed there was no oil. The vehicle was towed back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with starter and an oil gasket failure. The dealer informed the contact that there was oil in the engine. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 72,600.
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-06-03
- VIN: 1N4AA6FV6MC
- Components: STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Going down a road in Tennessee on my way to my sons house in Fort Campbell. No cars on the road anywhere 545 in the morning and the sun roof explodes out of no where. Parts have been ordered and the car is in my possession till the parts come in so no forms to upload as of yet.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-03-22
- VIN: 1N4AA6FV2MC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW WITH 4 MILES THEN AFTER 100MILES, THE CD CHANGER DOES NOT WORK AND THERE IS A DELAY IN THE ELECTRONIC COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE. THE ANLOG TEMP GAUGE IS WORKING BUT THE ELECTRONIC GAUGE DOES NOT COME ON TILL 20-30MINS OF DRIVING.
Negative 2021 Nissan Maxima car reviews
Positive 2021 Nissan Maxima car reviews
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Maxima is always at the top of my list when referring cars. I've been leasing them since 1989 and never looked back. It's such a great car and a fantastic product!
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I hope you're doing well! I wanted to share my experience with the Maxima. After doing a lot of research on quiet sedans, I found that the Maxima was the quietest of all, which was my primary goal. I even used a free DB meter to compare road noise and it was better than much higher end brands I test drove. I ended up choosing the SL model, which has 18 inch tires instead of the Platinum with 19 inch tires. The reason being a smoother ride with the 18 inch tires. I find it to be very quiet driving around town, and mostly quiet on the highway, with the exception of roads being repaved, or roads with more grating to keep from sliding. I must say that Carpay is excellent. It's a solid well-engineered car with lots of bells and whistles for the price. Overall, I love the handling, drive, and comfort of this Nissan. I've taken a few long road trips so far and really enjoyed the ride.
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I can understand your frustration with the high insurance cost for your car despite having a good driving history and living in a small town. It seems like you are being charged for potential risks that may not even happen. It's interesting to note that American made cars like the 2021 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack have cheaper insurance rates. Perhaps that could be a good option to consider. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
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I really love the styling of both the exterior and interior. The interior styling is particularly nice, with great tech that is comparable to expensive luxury sedans. While the horsepower is good, I do wish it came in a v6 turbo. The trunk space could also benefit from better management. Additionally, the back seat can be a little cramped for larger passengers who are taller than 5'9
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Beautiful car, fast and luxurious. You made the right choice!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2021 Nissan Maxima problems:
Has Nissan Fixed the CVT Problems?(2021) - Maxima Forums
Jul 16, 2021 ... 8th Generation Maxima (2016-) - Has Nissan Fixed the CVT Problems?(2021) - I'm currently doing research on used maximas and accords(to buy ...
3 Most Common Nissan Maxima Problems Reported by Real Owners
Feb 2, 2023 ... Late-model Nissan Maximas have problems with leaking low-pressure air conditioning connections, failing ignition coils leading to check engine ...
Nissan Maxima Problems and Complaints - 28 Issues
Top Nissan Maxima Problems · Low Pressure AC Hose May Leak at Crimped Connection · Check Engine Llight Due to Failed Ignition Coil · Camshaft Sensors Leaking Oil ...
Is the 2021 Nissan Maxima bad? : r/whatcarshouldIbuy
Oct 29, 2021 ... I like CVT over regular automatics and don't know why people bitch about them.. I haven't had any repairs except paint issues on both sides on ...
Nissan Maxima Reliability and Common Problems - In The Garage ...
Aug 30, 2023 ... The Nissan Maxima suffers from a few common problems, including a leaking and low-pressure air conditioning hose, transmission malfunction and ...
Other years of Nissan Maxima
Are you having problems with your 2021 Nissan Maxima?
Joe Miller 2024-09-22
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?
Erwin Lindgren 2024-08-24
I had the worst car experience ever. I will never consider Nissan again!