2012 Nissan Maxima Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Nissan Maxima has a Complaint Index of 61 and ranks 8th worst out of 19 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags are the top problem area with 27 complaints (25% share), including reports of non-deployment in crashes, but NHTSA lists zero recalls for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 61/100
- #8 of 19 Maxima years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 107
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2012 Nissan Maxima problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags27 (25%)
- Other24 (22%)
- Electrical System20 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (17%)
- Engine14 (13%)
- Structure & Body12 (11%)
- Steering10 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (4%)
- Brakes2 (2%)
- Fuel System1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during front-end and side-impact collisions, even at highway speeds around 60 mph.
- Owners describe losing engine power or stalling shortly after using the automatic start button or while shifting into drive.
- The engine compartment caught fire in at least one case with substantial mileage on the vehicle.
- Steering wheel adjustable motor made grinding noises and got stuck in position, or the steering felt to lock up briefly while changing lanes.
- Electrical system issues included a false open-door warning light and a push-button ignition that failed to shut off the engine.
- A vehicle reportedly rolled out of gear on its own while parked and crashed into another car.
2012 Nissan Maxima recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2012 Nissan Maxima fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Nissan Maxima reliable?
- It has a Complaint Index of 61 and ranks 8th worst among 19 model years of the Maxima, earning a Caution verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Nissan Maxima?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 27 complaints and 25% of all reported issues, including cases where airbags failed to deploy in crashes.
- Does the 2012 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2012 Nissan Maxima.
- How does the 2012 Maxima compare to other years?
- Its Complaint Index of 61 is lower than 2005 (100), 2009 (94), and 2010 (83), all rated Avoid, but higher than 2013 (33) and 2019 (22), which rate Good and Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Nissan Maxima?
- EPA rates it at 22 mpg combined (19 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,650.