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Nissan Maxima door locks problems

45 of the 6,504 owner complaints about the Nissan Maxima describe doors won't lock, open or latch, most of them for the 2004 model year.

owner complaints
45
worst model year
2004
typical mileage
70,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

  • 2020
    1
  • 2017
    2
  • 2012
    5
  • 2011
    1
  • 2010
    2
  • 2009
    3
  • 2007
    2
  • 2005
    6
  • 2004
    6
  • 2003
    3
  • 2002
    2
  • 2000
    2
  • 1999
    1
  • 1997
    1
  • 1996
    1
  • 1995
    1
  • 1994
    1
  • 1993
    1
  • 1992
    2
  • 1990
    2

What owners say

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · CA

I am experiencing a severe safety defect regarding the door lock mechanisms on my 2017 Nissan Maxima. The electronic door lock actuators have failed, causing the doors to intermittently refuse to lock or unlock when using either the key fob or the internal door switches. This creates a critical safety hazard, as it leaves the vehicle vulnerable to theft when the doors fail to lock. More importantly, when the doors fail to unlock, it compromises passenger safety during an emergency, as occupants can become trapped inside the vehicle or unable to exit quickly. This is a known, widespread issue across multiple Nissan models from this era, and Nissan needs to be held accountable. I request that the federal safety agency investigate the 2017 Nissan Maxima door lock actuators and force a safety recall to prevent potential injuries or entrapment.

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.

Filed Jun 8, 2020 · Electrical · 30,000 miles · AR

1) the front radar obstruction warning comes on randomly when there is no obstruction while vehicle is in motion. 2) driver side door lock stops working for days (this is the 5th time and I have reported it to orr nissan in searcy,ar) started messing up while there was still warranty but they couldn't find anything wrong due to it not messing up when they could get it in to look at. The key fob, outside button, and inside button works all other door locks except driver door- have to use the key to unlock/lock driver door. Can hear the part inside the door reacting in a slow manner prior to it not working. Very aggravating when has been reported many, many times and not being fixed due to it not messing up at appointments. Tried to get an appointment today while it's messing up but was told it would be next week before it can be looked at (probably won't be messed up then!)

Filed Feb 4, 2020 · Driver assistance, Locks · FL

2020 nissan maxima sr. Consumer writes in regards gas cap door lock function. *ld the consumer was concerned that the back up camera would need a system upgrade do to poor visibility.

Filed Dec 27, 2019 · Airbags, Electrical · 151,000 miles · CT

Passenger side air bag sensors keeps on resetting as no one is sitting on the seat. I have to tell the passenger to jump on the seat for the "air bag off" light to reset. The CVT transmission putter at low speed with a with lots of noise, I have to give it more gas for the noise to stop. The passenger front door lock and driver side rear door lock does not unlock. Fog light on the car is not working, I was told my a mechanic that the relay switch that is built into the steering column is no good and will need to be replaced.

Filed Apr 13, 2018 · Electrical · 58,000 miles · CT

My driver side door the door lock intermittently works. It some times locks and doesn't unlock or doesn't lock at all. Recently it is working less often. Now the back door on the driver side stopped working too. The other day my 6 year got locked in the car and had to unbuckle his car seat to unlock the door. Luckily he wasn't an infant. I read on line that many people are having trouble with their door locks in nissan/infinity cars.

Filed Nov 29, 2016 · Electrical · 200,000 miles · CA

Front doors, driver and passenger sides, do not open; fail to open intermittently, making a noise as if the door lock are trying to open. Driver was stuck inside car which could be a safety hazard.

Filed Feb 22, 2016 · Electrical · 82,000 miles · TX

The door lock actuators do not work and this requires me to ensure my doors are locked manually. The cost to repair is expensive and should be the responsibility of nissan because it is apparently a defect. This defect is a security risk for potential theft and personal injury to the nissan owner.

Filed Feb 19, 2016 · Electrical · 57,000 miles · VA

2012 maxima s with door lock/unlock problem. Noticed it about a month ago. Key fob wouldn't lock/unlock the doors. Then about a week later the door lock/unlock button started working sporadically. A few days ago when dropping my daughter off for school she had trouble opening the back door to get out. Not only is this frustrating but now it's a safety hazard as well. As of right now my doors would not lock this morning. This is very frustrating and unsafe especially since there has been car breakins in my neighborhood. I have not taken the car in yet to officially see what the problem is.

Filed Feb 13, 2016 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · TX

All 4 door lock actuators fail at the same time. Door lock switch and remote fail to lock or unlock the doors and the issue started on all 4 doors on the same day with no reason as to why.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Nissan Maxima door locks

Which Nissan Maxima years have doors won't lock, open or latch problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2004 (6 complaints), 2005 (6 complaints) and 2012 (5 complaints).

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