Nissan Maxima Reliability Problems

Front 3/4 view of a Nissan Maxima

Maxima owners have made 1,351 complaints over 31 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 22nd in overall reliability out of 26 Nissan models, with real transmission and engine concerns.

7 Common Nissan Maxima Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Maxima owners have to deal with.

  2. Sunroof Rattles and Explodes

    Heads up, Nissan owners! That giant piece of glass above your head may soon be on its way down in a thousand little pieces. Lawsuits accuse Nissan of using a faulty tempering process for their sunroofs since 2008.

    Continue reading article "Sunroof Rattles and Explodes" Nissan sunroof with giant shards of glass missing

  4. Timing Chain Defects

    Nissan says their timing chains are just noisy, but not defective. Try telling that to the owners who have seen loose timing chains rattled their engines apart, resulting in thousands of dollars in damages.

    Continue reading article "Timing Chain Defects" Overhead view of a busted timing chain

  5. Steering Wheel Locked

    Nissan owners are fed up with not being able to start their cars due to a ESCL defect. A new service campaign means defective steering locks will be fixed (at least in some models)…

    Continue reading article "Steering Wheel Locked" Push start ignition with start crossed out and replaced with stop

What Maxima Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Maxima Generations

The Maxima has 6 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 6th generation (2004–2008).

Maxima Key Numbers

  1. 1,351 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 459 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 32 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Maxima Class-Action Lawsuits

The Maxima has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Motion to dismiss

    David Turner, et al., v. Nissan North America, Inc., et al.

    1. Motion to dismiss

      A Nissan AEB (automatic emergency braking) malfunction class action lawsuit will continue after the federal judge ruled against most of Nissan's motion to dismiss the complaint.

    2. Case Filed

      This forward emergency braking lawsuit alleges the system malfunctions,suddenly and unexpectedly braking on railroad tracks, bridges, intersections and other locations. Instead of protecting drivers, the Nissan lawsuit alleges the systems create perfect conditions for rear-end and side crashes.

  • Settlement

    Duncan, et al., v. Nissan North American, Inc., et al.

    1. Settlement

      A Nissan timing chain lawsuit has been preliminarily settled after vehicle owners accused Nissan of selling six models with defective primary timing chain tensioners, timing chain guides, secondary timing chain tensioners and tensioner shoes.

    2. Case Filed

      A Nissan timing chain class-action lawsuit is working its way through the court system as the automaker succeeded in getting some claims dismissed while the judge allowed other allegations to continue.

    Problem
    Timing Chain Defects
    Class Vehicles
    • 2004-2006 Altima
    • 2005-2010 Frontier
    • 2004-2008 Maxima
    • 2004-2009 Quest
    • 2005-2010 Pathfinder
    • 2005-2010 Xterra
    Location
    Massachusetts
  • Settlement

    Vincent Chiarelli, et al. vs. Nissan North America Inc. and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

    1. Settlement

      Nissan timing chain lawsuits have been consolidated and preliminarily settled after vehicle owners accused Nissan of selling six models with defective primary timing chain tensioners, timing chain guides, secondary timing chain tensioners and tensioner shoes.

    2. Case Filed

      A Nissan timing chain lawsuit accuses Nissan of manufacturing some of its most popular models with defective timing chain tensioning systems.

    Problem
    Timing Chain Defects
    Class Vehicles
    • 2004-2006 Altima (with 2 VQ35 engine)
    • 2005-2010 Frontier (with VQ40 engine)
    • 2004-2008 Maxima
    • 2004-2009 Quest
    • 2005-2010 Pathfinder
    • 2005-2010 Xterra
    Class Members
    Residents of New York or Florida or Maryland or New Jersey
    Location
    New York

  • Bashaw, et al., v. Nissan North America, Inc., et al.

    1. Case Filed

      A Nissan automatic emergency braking lawsuit alleges the front distance radar sensors can cause the systems to engage even though no obstacles exist. This causes the Nissan vehicles to suddenly slow down or come to complete stops in the middle of normal traffic.

  • Settlement

    Kobe Falco, et. al., v. Nissan North America, Inc., and Nissan Motor Company, LTD.

    2:2013cv00686

    1. Settlement

      If you're a Nissan customer and paid for a timing chain replacement or repair, you may be eligible for partial reimbursements or vouchers if the vehicle was purchased or leased in Washington or California.

    2. Case Filed

      The class-action lawsuit alleges Nissan designed and sold the vehicles with defective timing chain tensioning systems. Those systems include the primary timing chain tensioners, primary timing chain guides, secondary timing chain tensioners and secondary timing chain tensioner shoes.

    Problem
    Timing Chain Defects
    Class Vehicles
    • 2004-2008 Maxima
    • 2004-2009 Quest
    • 2004-2006 Altima (VQ35 engine)
    • 2005-2007 Pathfinder
    • 2005-2007 Xterra
    • 2005-2007 Frontier (VQ40 engine)
    Class Members
    Purchased of Leased in CA or WA
    Location
    California

Recent Maxima News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. A lawsuit claiming Nissan's automatic emergency braking (AEB) system has dangerous defects will continue in court

    following a U.S. District Court judge tossing out the automaker's motion to dismiss. AEB systems monitor the road and can apply the brakes if the system detects a collision is imminnent. But according to the lawsuit, Nissan's AEB detects items that aren't there and can randomly bring the car to a screeching halt.…

    keep reading article "Nissan Wanted An Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Lawsuit Tossed. It Didn't Work."

  3. Does Nissan's automatic emergency braking (AEB) system have a defective radar?

    A California lawsuit says malfunctions in the system create random emergency braking situations when the radar detects objects that aren’t really there.

    The owner's manuals for many of the vehicles admit the automatic emergency braking systems do "not function in all driving, traffic, weather and road conditions.” But the plaintiff says the manual leaves out the part about how the systems can cause vehicles to suddenly stop even when no objects are in the driving lane.

    It’s scary to think that a safety system might actually create more crash scenarios than it prevents.

    keep reading article "AEB Lawsuit Says System Can Randomly Stop Vehicles"

  5. I have some choice words for Nissan’s anti-lock brake actuator pump.

    And yes, I realize that is an odd thing to say, but hear me out. The pump leaks brake fluid onto internal circuit boards which starts fires. And it’s been a problem more than once.

    The pumps were first recalled back in 2016. However the seals used to “fix” the leak have failed and now the pumps have been recalled again.

    Nissan is even worried enough to ask owners of the 2015-2017 Murano, 2016-2017 Maxima, 2017-2018 Pathfinder and the 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles to park their cars outside and away from things you wouldn’t like to see turned to ash.

    Maybe I should direct my choice words at Nissan instead.

    keep reading article "Nissan ABS Actuator Recalled for Starting Fires. Again."

  6. Nissan owners are tired of their timing chains whining, buzzing, ticking, and knocking their engines apart.

    In the case of Kobe Falco, et. al., v. Nissan North America, Inc., and Nissan Motor Company, LTD., the plaintiffs say they were forced to pay for expensive timing chain repairs which happened to fall ever-so-conveniently just outside of Nissan's warranty period. Earlier this year, the class-action was certified by a judge.

    So now Nissan has brought together their best engineers and a top-notch legal team to come up with their defense –– ok, our timing chains are noisy, but they're not a safety defect.

    From CarComplaints.com:

    "According to the automaker, there has never been anything defective about the timing chain systems and the most that owners can show is that the timing chains make noise, not that the systems are a safety risk. Nissan says the plaintiffs admit no crashes are attributed to the timing chains, even though the majority of the vehicles have been in service more than 10 years."

    So the case will attempt to answer are Nissan's timing chains just loud and annoying? Or are they loud, annoying, and potentially dangerous?

    The vehicles named in the suit all use the same uniform timing chain system: the 2004-2008 Maxima, 2004-2009 Quest, 2004-2006 Altima (VQ35 engine), 2005-2007 Pathfinder, 2004-2007 Xterra, and the 2005-2007 Frontier (VQ49 engine).

    keep reading article "Nissan Says Their Timing Chains Are Just Super Noisy, Not Busted"

  7. The steering wheel lock nightmare is over (well, at least for some).

    Years of complaints and countless warranty claims have finally forced Nissan's hand as the automaker announced they will issue a service campaign for 243,000 vehicles with ESCL problems. Service campaign, recall, banana ... whatever you want to call it, Nissan.

    The campaign is only for the 2009-2010 Altima, Altima Coupe, Altima Hybrid, and Maxima cars. They all come equipped with ESCLs that lock the steering wheel when the cars are parked and turned off.

    Nissan says a manufacturing issue caused the ESCL to malfunction after the car had been turned off. Up until now, the owner's only option was to replace the part which cost, on average, around $1000 with parts and labor.

    Nissan will replace the ESCL with an electronic steering column box. If you've already paid for repairs, Nissan will reimburse you with the proper proof. Additional service campagin info is available on CarComplaints.com.

    keep reading article "Nissan Agrees to a 'Service Campaign' To Address Steering Lock Problems"

  8. Heads up, Nissan owners! The sunroof in your vehicle might soon be coming down in a thousand little pieces.

    A lawsuit alleges that all of Nissan's factory-installed sunroofs (panoramic or otherwise) can explode without warning. This includes any vehicle since 2008.

    "Plaintiff Janelle Horne says she was riding with her husband and four kids in a leased Infiniti QX80 when the sunroof exploded like a shotgun, causing Mr. Horne to pull off the highway and see shards of glass everywhere.

    Yikes, that'll get your attention. Hopefully this lawsuit means Nissan will start paying attention too.

    The lawsuit only includes residents of California at this time, but similar lawsuits may be filed nationwide based on its results.

    keep reading article "Heads Up, Nissan Owners! That Sunroof Isn’t As Safe As You'd Hope"

See All Maxima News

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