Nissan Maxima years to avoid
More than twice the Maxima's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best Nissan Maxima years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
Nissan Maxima complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Nissan Maxima problems
All model years combined.
- Transmission2,423
- Engine873
- Electrical829
- Steering510
- Airbags500
- Brakes411
- Body334
- Suspension331
- Acceleration256
- Tires251
- Fuel system218
- Visibility202
Nissan Maxima problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | - | 1 | Electrical | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | 95 | 5 | Body | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2021 | 95 | 3 | Body | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2020 | 83 | 22 | Brakes | 23,000 | 1 | 3 | |
| 2019 | 86 | 18 | Engine | 17,000 | 1 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 90 | 36 | Brakes | 39,000 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 69 | 106 | Airbags | 28,000 | 4 | 8 | |
| 2016 | 53 | 142 | Transmission | 40,000 | 8 | 10 | |
| 2015 | 95 | 1 | Acceleration | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2014 | 74 | 96 | Airbags | 50,400 | 0 | 10 | Fewest complaints |
| 2013 | 84 | 62 | Transmission | 62,000 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 72 | 107 | Airbags | 55,000 | 0 | 6 | |
| 2011 | 69 | 106 | Airbags | 68,000 | 0 | 5 | Fewest complaints |
| 2010 | 41 | 275 | Steering | 65,000 | 1 | 7 | Avoid |
| 2009 | 33 | 339 | Steering | 71,000 | 1 | 7 | Avoid |
| 2008 | 78 | 79 | Airbags | 75,000 | 0 | 7 | Fewest complaints |
| 2007 | 68 | 129 | Body | 85,000 | 1 | 4 | |
| 2006 | 14 | 576 | Transmission | 84,000 | 2 | 21 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 5 | 948 | Transmission | 85,000 | 2 | 16 | Avoid |
| 2004 | 5 | 1,426 | Transmission | 80,000 | 2 | 33 | Avoid |
| 2003 | 47 | 206 | Engine | 86,600 | 3 | 13 | |
| 2002 | 37 | 205 | Engine | 64,400 | 6 | 27 | |
| 2001 | 56 | 172 | Engine | 72,000 | 3 | 8 | |
| 2000 | - | 360 | Electrical | 60,000 | 0 | 25 | |
| 1999 | - | 165 | Electrical | 79,000 | 0 | 7 | |
| 1998 | - | 113 | Airbags | 110,000 | 1 | 13 | |
| 1997 | - | 102 | Electrical | 85,892 | 1 | 7 | |
| 1996 | - | 96 | Engine | 100,300 | 0 | 13 | |
| 1995 | - | 152 | Airbags | 131,000 | 0 | 17 | |
| 1994 | - | 89 | Fuel system | 129,000 | 2 | 6 | |
| 1993 | - | 78 | Airbags | 108,000 | 3 | 9 | |
| 1992 | - | 107 | Fuel system | 139,000 | 2 | 15 | |
| 1991 | - | 76 | Seat belts | 186,000 | 1 | 8 | |
| 1990 | - | 106 | Fuel system | 130,000 | 1 | 7 |
Recalls 26
Compare the Maxima
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Questions about the Nissan Maxima
What years of the Nissan Maxima should you avoid?
2004, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010. Each has more than twice the Nissan Maxima's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2004 alone has 1,426, mostly about transmission and tires.
What is the best year for a used Nissan Maxima?
2008, 2014 and 2011 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (79, 96 and 106).
What is the most common problem with the Nissan Maxima?
Transmission, with 2,423 complaints across all years, followed by engine (873) and electrical (829).
How many recalls does the Nissan Maxima have?
26 recalls between 1990 and 2023. The 2016 model year has the most, with 8.
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