Nissan Maxima Best and Worst Years (2010–2023)
Avoid the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2016 Nissan Maxima, which carry the highest Complaint Index scores (100, 85, 77, 92) out of 977 total complaints across 14 model years. The 2022 Maxima is rated Best with a Complaint Index of just 23.
- Model years
- 14
- 2010–2023
- NHTSA complaints
- 977
- Recall campaigns
- 10
- Crashes reported
- 54
- Fires reported
- 15
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Maxima Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Nissan Maxima problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Avoid | 100 | 275 | 7 | 2 | 0 | Steering | 22 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 85 | 106 | 5 | 1 | 0 | Airbags | 22 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 77 | 107 | 6 | 2 | 0 | Airbags | 22 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 54 | 62 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 62 | 96 | 10 | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 22 | 4★ |
| 2015 | No verdict | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 92 | 142 | 10 | 4 | 8 | Electrical System | 25 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 69 | 103 | 7 | 2 | 4 | Airbags | 25 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 38 | 36 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Brakes | 25 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 31 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 24 | — |
| 2020 | Good | 46 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 1 | Structure & Body | 24 | 5★ |
| 2021 | No verdict | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 24 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 23 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Brakes | 24 | 5★ |
| 2023 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 24 | 5★ |
Maxima years to avoid: what went wrong
2010 Nissan Maxima Index 100 · 275 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2010 Maxima has the highest Complaint Index (100) and the most complaints (275) of any year. Steering issues dominate, making up 57% of complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 67,000 miles. Electrical System problems account for another 29% of complaints, median mileage 67,500. Owners also reported cracked strut housings and airbags that failed to deploy in crashes. No recalls are listed for this model year, so these are unresolved owner-reported patterns.
2010 steering problems →2010 electrical system problems →2010 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2016 Nissan Maxima Index 92 · 142 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2016 Maxima has a Complaint Index of 92 and carries 8 recall campaigns, more than any other year covered. Electrical System issues lead at 25% of complaints, median mileage 55,900, followed by Engine problems at 24%, median mileage 54,000. Two recalls cover the ABS actuator pump (campaigns 19V807000 and 18V601000), and a third covers airbag ECU and OCS software (16V911000). Owners reported ABS and warning lights appearing intermittently and airbags failing to deploy in a crash.
2016 electrical system problems →2016 engine problems →2016 transmission & powertrain problems →
2011 Nissan Maxima Index 85 · 106 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2011 Maxima carries a Complaint Index of 85. Airbags are the top problem area at 22% of complaints, median failure mileage 26,022, with owners describing crashes where airbags did not deploy. Transmission & Powertrain issues follow at 21% of complaints, median mileage 95,000. Owners also described steering that became loose and unresponsive during a crash, and a seat belt that reportedly caused burn marks. No recalls are listed for this model year.
2011 airbags problems →2011 transmission & powertrain problems →2011 engine problems →
2012 Nissan Maxima Index 77 · 107 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2012 Maxima has a Complaint Index of 77. Airbags are the leading problem, making up 25% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 30,650.5, including reports of airbags failing to deploy in front-end collisions. Electrical System complaints follow at 19%, median mileage 53,791. Owners also reported an engine fire in the engine compartment and a vehicle that rolled out of gear on its own. No recalls are listed for this model year.
2012 airbags problems →2012 electrical system problems →2012 transmission & powertrain problems →
Most common Nissan Maxima problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System214 (22%)
- Steering197 (20%)
- Other156 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain152 (16%)
- Airbags141 (14%)
- Engine133 (14%)
- Structure & Body91 (9%)
- Brakes81 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires70 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers39 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Nissan Maxima should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2016 Nissan Maxima. These years have Complaint Index scores of 100, 85, 77, and 92, the highest among the 14 model years covered.
- What is the best year for the Nissan Maxima?
- The 2022 Nissan Maxima is rated Best, with a Complaint Index of only 23 and just 5 total complaints.
- What is the most common problem with the Nissan Maxima?
- Across all years, Electrical System complaints are the most common, accounting for 214 complaints (22% of the total), followed by Steering at 197 complaints (20%).
- Does the 2016 Nissan Maxima have recalls?
- Yes. The 2016 Maxima has 8 recall campaigns, including two for the ABS actuator pump and one covering the airbag ECU and OCS software update.
- Is the 2013 or 2017 Nissan Maxima reliable?
- The 2013 and 2017 Maxima are rated Caution, with Complaint Index scores of 54 and 69. They fall between the Avoid years and the Good/Best years like 2018-2022.