YearToAvoid

2014 Nissan Maxima Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

62/100

#6 most-complained of 14 Maxima years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2014 Nissan Maxima has a Complaint Index of 62 and ranks 6th worst of 14 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Electrical System issues lead with 26 complaints (27% share), followed by Airbags (24) and Transmission & Powertrain (22). No recalls are listed for this year.

Complaints
96
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
10 / 1
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 26 hwy

Top 2014 Nissan Maxima problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System26 (27%)
  2. Airbags24 (25%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain22 (23%)
  4. Engine10 (10%)
  5. Other10 (10%)
  6. Brakes6 (6%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (6%)
  8. Fuel System5 (5%)
  9. Structure & Body5 (5%)
  10. Steering4 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration at low speeds while parking, in one case leading to a crash where airbags did not deploy.
  • Airbag warning lights illuminate or airbags fail to deploy in crashes, sometimes with the passenger airbag sensor showing deactivated status.
  • Headlights described as very dim on low beam, with high beams barely brighter, even after replacing bulbs with new ones.
  • The engine has stalled without warning while merging onto a highway, cutting power to the motor and air conditioning at the same time.
  • Suspension and steering problems appeared after hitting a pothole, including loss of steering, a sheared wheel, and a bent rim.
  • Brakes reportedly lost power assist while attempting to cross train tracks, requiring outside help to move the car clear.
2014 Nissan Maxima complaints: complaints filed per quarter82014 Q12015 Q42017 Q22019 Q12020 Q32022 Q22024 Q22026 Q3
125 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2018 Q3 (8).

2014 Nissan Maxima recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2014 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.

2014 compared with other Maxima years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Avoid77107022
2013Caution5462022
2014Caution6296022
2015No verdict1510—
2016Avoid92142825

All Nissan Maxima years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Nissan Maxima reliable?
NHTSA data shows the 2014 Maxima has a Complaint Index of 62 and ranks 6th worst among 14 model years tracked, placing it in the Caution category rather than the worst or best tier.
What is the top problem area for the 2014 Nissan Maxima?
The Electrical System leads with 26 complaints, making up 27% of all reported issues, followed by Airbags at 25% and Transmission & Powertrain at 23%.
Does the 2014 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2014 Maxima, unlike later years such as 2016, which has 8 recalls.
At what mileage do 2014 Maxima problems typically show up?
Median mileage at failure varies by system: Electrical System issues appear around 87,500 miles, Airbags around 34,878 miles, and Transmission & Powertrain around 73,500 miles.
How does the 2014 Maxima compare to other Maxima years?
The 2014 model's Complaint Index of 62 is lower than the 2010 (100), 2011 (85), and 2012 (77) model years, which are all rated Avoid, but higher than newer years like 2018 and 2019, rated Good.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.