2013 Nissan Maxima Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
54/100
#7 most-complained of 14 Maxima years
The 2013 Nissan Maxima has 62 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 54, ranking 7th worst of 14 model years with a "Caution" verdict. Transmission & Powertrain issues dominate at 39% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 105,544 miles.
- Complaints
- 62
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 26 hwy
Top 2013 Nissan Maxima problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain24 (39%)
- Airbags16 (26%)
- Electrical System11 (18%)
- Other8 (13%)
- Engine4 (6%)
- Brakes3 (5%)
- Structure & Body2 (3%)
- Fuel System1 (2%)
- Steering1 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report the CVT transmission suddenly refuses to accelerate while driving, forcing quick maneuvers to avoid a crash.
- Some describe the transmission dropping into a lower gear at highway speeds near 65 mph, sending RPMs above 5000 unexpectedly.
- Others report sporadic acceleration where the pedal sticks then the car lurches forward at full speed without warning.
- Passenger-side airbags reportedly fail to activate or stay illuminated as disabled even with an adult occupant in the seat.
- One owner reported an electrical fire starting from the center shift console shortly after starting to drive.
- A driver described the brakes engaging on their own on the highway without the pedal being pressed.
2013 Nissan Maxima recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2013 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.
2013 compared with other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Nissan Maxima reliable?
- NHTSA lists 62 complaints for the 2013 Maxima with a complaint index of 54, giving it a "Caution" rating relative to other Maxima years. It ranks 7th worst out of 14 model years tracked.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Nissan Maxima?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 39% of complaints, the largest category, with a median failure mileage of 105,544 miles. Airbags follow at 26% of complaints.
- Does the 2013 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2013 Maxima, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2013 Maxima compare to other years?
- The 2013 Maxima's complaint index of 54 is better than 2010 (100), 2011 (85), 2012 (77), and 2016 (92), all rated "Avoid," but worse than 2018-2020 and 2022, which rate "Good" or "Best."
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Nissan Maxima?
- EPA rates the 2013 Maxima at 22 mpg combined (19 city / 26 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $3,650.