Nissan Maxima Best and Worst Years (2005–2023)
Nissan Maxima years to avoid, based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, are 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2016. The best years, with the fewest reported problems, are 2019 and 2022, while 2008, 2013, and 2020 are also rated Good.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2006Avoid 2009Avoid 2010Avoid 2016Best 2019Best 2022
- Model years
- 19
- 2005–2023
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,048
- Recall campaigns
- 15
- Crashes reported
- 109
- Fires reported
- 32
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 100 | 948 | 16 | 10 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 21 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 89 | 576 | 21 | 4 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 21 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 50 | 129 | 4 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 44 | 79 | 7 | 0 | 0 | Structure & Body | 21 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 94 | 339 | 7 | 2 | 1 | Steering | 22 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 83 | 275 | 7 | 2 | 1 | Steering | 22 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 72 | 106 | 5 | 1 | 0 | Airbags | 22 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 61 | 107 | 6 | 2 | 0 | Airbags | 22 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Good | 33 | 62 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 56 | 96 | 10 | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 22 | 4★ |
| 2015 | No verdict | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 78 | 142 | 10 | 4 | 8 | Electrical System | 25 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 67 | 103 | 7 | 2 | 4 | Airbags | 25 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 28 | 36 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Brakes | 25 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Best | 22 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 24 | — |
| 2020 | Good | 39 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 1 | Structure & Body | 24 | 5★ |
| 2021 | No verdict | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 24 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 17 | 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
2005 Nissan Maxima Index 100 · 948 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2005 Maxima has the highest complaint index (100) of any model year and ranks worst overall. Transmission and powertrain issues make up 82% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 85,000. Owners reported sudden surges, hesitation, and unintended acceleration while driving or idling. Engine complaints follow at 13% with a median mileage of 90,000. NHTSA lists two recall campaigns for this year, covering a wire harness routing issue and child restraint anchorage brackets. Reported fires (10) and crashes (16) are also higher than most other Maxima years, contributing to its Avoid verdict.
2005 transmission & powertrain problems →2005 engine problems →2005 structure & body problems →
2009 Nissan Maxima Index 94 · 339 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2009 Maxima has a complaint index of 94 and ranks second worst. Steering complaints dominate at 50% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 63,500; owners described brake feel issues and unintended acceleration incidents. Electrical system complaints (24%) included reports of alternator failures and engine bay sparks. NHTSA issued one recall covering front strut insulators that could crack, shared with the related Altima. Airbag non-deployment during crashes was also reported, reinforcing the Avoid verdict.
2009 steering problems →2009 electrical system problems →2009 airbags problems →
2006 Nissan Maxima Index 89 · 576 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2006 Maxima ranks third worst with a complaint index of 89. Transmission and powertrain problems account for 68% of complaints at a median mileage of 86,000, with owners describing sudden forward lunges and loss of steering control after a metallic noise. Engine complaints (17%) and brakes (12%) follow. NHTSA lists two recall campaigns, one for a rear subframe bracket crack risk and one for a seat wire harness. Crashes (21) are the highest among all Maxima years, which along with the transmission pattern supports the Avoid verdict.
2006 transmission & powertrain problems →2006 engine problems →2006 brakes problems →
2010 Nissan Maxima Index 83 · 275 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2010 Maxima has a complaint index of 83 and ranks fourth worst. Steering complaints lead at 57% of the total with a median mileage of 67,000, alongside electrical system complaints at 29%. Owners described airbags failing to deploy in frontal crashes and, separately, reports of electrical fires and a gas pedal that stopped responding while driving. NHTSA lists one recall for front strut insulators, shared with the 2009 model year. The combination of steering and electrical reports keeps this year in Avoid territory.
2010 steering problems →2010 electrical system problems →2010 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2016 Nissan Maxima Index 78 · 142 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2016 Maxima carries a complaint index of 78 and stands out for its recall count: eight campaigns, more than any other Maxima year, including two park-outside brake actuator recalls and an airbag ECU/software recall shared with other Nissan models. Electrical system complaints (25%) and engine complaints (24%) lead, with brake complaints at 18% and a median mileage of 25,500 for that category. Owners reported brake pedals that failed to stop the vehicle and dashboard warning lights tied to ABS actuator issues. The recall volume is the main driver of its Avoid verdict.
2016 electrical system problems →2016 engine problems →2016 transmission & powertrain problems →
Most common Nissan Maxima problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Transmission & Powertrain1,357 (45%)
- Engine428 (14%)
- Steering410 (13%)
- Electrical System380 (12%)
- Other255 (8%)
- Airbags247 (8%)
- Structure & Body241 (8%)
- Brakes221 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires200 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers57 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Nissan Maxima should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2016 Nissan Maxima. The 2005 has the highest complaint index (100), driven mostly by transmission and powertrain reports.
- What are the best Nissan Maxima years?
- The 2019 and 2022 Maxima are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 22 and 17. The 2008, 2013, and 2020 model years are rated Good.
- Does the 2016 Nissan Maxima have a lot of recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists eight recall campaigns for the 2016 Maxima, more than any other model year, including two brake actuator recalls with park-outside warnings.
- Is the 2009 or 2010 Nissan Maxima reliable?
- Both are rated Avoid relative to other Maxima years. The 2009 has a complaint index of 94 and the 2010 has 83, with steering complaints making up 50% and 57% of their totals, respectively.
- Is the 2005 Nissan Maxima worth buying used?
- The 2005 Maxima ranks worst among all covered years, with a complaint index of 100 and 777 transmission and powertrain complaints out of 948 total, most reported around 85,000 miles.