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2012 Nissan Maxima problems

The most common problem on the 2012 Nissan Maxima is airbags, typically around 31,301 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Maxima model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
72/100
Owner complaints
107
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
116
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
22mpg

The worst 2012 Nissan Maxima problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Nissan Maxima

Airbag light 8Sunroof shattered 7Power steering loss 6CVT failure 5Door locks 5Loss of power 5Transmission failure 5

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Nissan Maxima 116

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 116 bulletins for the 2012 Nissan Maxima

2012 Nissan Maxima fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.5L 6‑cylFWD192622

What 2012 Nissan Maxima owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 16, 2026 · Electrical · 246,450 miles · TX

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Nissan Maxima. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact stated that the mileage on the title was not available. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 150,000. The vehicle was taken for Texas State Inspection and the VIN was entered on the Inspection Station website and the mileage of 246,450 was displayed.

Filed Jul 1, 2025 · Transmission · KY

2012 Nissan Maxima with 94,000 miles began hesitating upon accelerating and jerking on [XXX]. Vehicle diagnosed at Don Franklin Nissan in Glasgow, KY with bad transmission. Transmission replaced. Then on [XXX], while driving vehicle, a loud noise from front passenger tire, traction light come on, pulled to side and found wheel side ways and upon investigation, Ball Joint had come part damaging axle and wheel. Found no bolt for ball joint in place. Towed back to Don Franklin Nissan in Glasgow, KY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 20, 2024 · Body · TX

Since 2018 to present day. I been having difficulties with the visibility from my front windshield at sunny days. The dashboard has this sticky substance that make the dashboard really shinny, and reflect the sun light on the windshield, blocking the view and make it hard to see the road and vehicles. I had to use sunglasses to block this issue, but in some cases this will not improved and can make it worst. I had couple of near miss, and I have to stop driving my car at times to avoid this issue.

Filed Dec 31, 2023 · Airbags · MO

Passenger airbag notifi action blinks and will not show it is activated to function in a crash. Airbag has never worked. Also driver seat belt keeps releasing without being pushed to open. Seat belt issue just began Dec 2023

Filed Aug 17, 2023 · Airbags · 70,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag failed to turn on while the front passenger's side seat was occupied. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known issue, and that the front passenger's side seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Apr 29, 2023 · Electrical · SC

Green wire burn throughout the entire wiring harness..From alternator to engine fuse box and also to inside fuse box.. Bypassing the blown fuses and/or relays!!

Filed Mar 2, 2023 · Brakes, Engine · 122,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately and started shuddering. The oil warning light, ABS, coolant temperature, and the ESP warning light were illuminated. Additionally, the driver's side window failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

Filed Oct 24, 2022 · Engine · 138,000 miles · OR · fire

The contact owned a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that after returning from lunch and parking the vehicle at work, almost three hours later he was informed by someone that the vehicle was on fire. The contact walked outside and saw the engine compartment in flames. The contact stated that the engine compartment was completely burned. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The fire department filed a fire report. The contact stated that the security cameras showed that no one had tampered with the vehicle before the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated he was unsure what started the fire, but the hood of the vehicle was completely melted. No one was injured. The contact stated that the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 138,000.

Filed Jun 9, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · KS

On June 9, 2022 @8:50am I was driving my Nissan Maxima to work and as I was at the stop light waiting to go through the intersection, the car shut off completely cutting off all power. I have push button and no electric was working. My jumper cables were in the trunk but I could not access them because the trunk would not operate without power. Without power my hazards did not even work so I could not let traffic flow know that I was in distress. My car almost was hit 3 separate times because of a faulty part or system built by Nissan needs to get their stuff together and quit putting people in danger. I’m scared to drive it now because it could shut off as I am in the act of driving and that could be catastrophic not only for me but for other innocent people. I will be contacting Nissan and they will be fixing this properly! The car was finally jump started and I was able to drive the rest of the way to work. Let’s see if it starts when I have to leave work? So not cool.

Filed Apr 3, 2022 · Electrical · UT

Pressing door lock/unlock button on the door handles fails to lock/unlock all doors consistently. Rear door locks respond intermittently or not at all. Driver door often takes four button pushes to get it to unlock. Although it hasn't happened to me, I've heard other drivers mention difficulty getting into the gas cap (it locks when driver's door is locked). This issue has occurred in the last 6 months.

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Compare the 2012 Nissan Maxima

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2012 Nissan Maxima

Is the 2012 Nissan Maxima reliable?

Owners have filed 107 complaints about the 2012 Nissan Maxima, close to a typical Maxima model year.

What is the 2012 Nissan Maxima year score?

The 2012 Nissan Maxima scores 72 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Maxima: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Nissan Maxima?

Airbags, with 27 complaints, typically around 31,301 miles. Next is electrical (20).

How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Maxima have?

No recalls on record.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Maxima get?

Official estimates for the 2012 Nissan Maxima range from 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 19 city and 26 highway.

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