FaultScore report
Owners have filed 71 complaints about the 2013 Nissan Maxima with NHTSA between 2013 and 2025. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 27 of 27 worst.
FaultScore 24/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Nissan Maxima.
How this is worked out71
Complaints
1
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
65,500 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
27%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
NHTSA overall crash rating
From the agency's own crash tests
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 60,000 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 62,000 mi
Median failure at 56,277 miles
Median failure at 55,000 miles
Median failure at 70,556 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 7,200 mi
Median failure at 62,000 miles
Median failure at 39,997 miles
Median failure at 93,500 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Side pole crash test
| Configuration | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Nissan Maxima 4 DR FWD |
10.1% risk
|
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
AIR BAGS
NO 'TAKATA RECALL' AT THIS MOMENT BUT I WAS INJURED BECAUSE AIRBAG FAILED IN MY CHEST
NHTSA complaint #11071660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AFTER ABOUT 1 MILE OF DRIVING, THERE WAS A SMALL EXPLOSION HEARD UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE DIRECTLY UNDER THE SHIFT CONSOLE. FIRE STARTED COMING OUT FROM THE SHIFT CONSOLE. BURNED UP CENTER SHIFTER CONSOLE AND CARPET SURROUNDING AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10577460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER ABOUT 1 MILE OF DRIVING, THERE WAS A SMALL EXPLOSION HEARD UNDER THE CENTER CONSOLE DIRECTLY UNDER THE SHIFT CONSOLE. FIRE STARTED COMING OUT FROM THE SHIFT CONSOLE. BURNED UP CENTER SHIFTER CONSOLE AND CARPET SURROUNDING AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10577460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I have a 2013 Nissan Maxima in my headlights are horrible when they are on dim you cannot see in front of you so bad that it's liable to cause a bad wreck I have to ride with my headlights on bright and it's not much better I have replaced the bulbs in both headlights twice it has not improved anything I think it is a very dangerous thing in could call someone to get hurt because no one can see I've not been pulled over by the police or anything but I have to ride with my headlights on bright and I know it blinds people sometimes I think there needs to be a recall because I have a lot of friends that have Nissans and they have the same problem
NHTSA complaint #11706145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the third attempt however the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine, the crankshaft, and the cylinder heads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 7,500. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11582321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1. Both headlights on dim are so dim that you cannot drive safely, they do not project in front of the car far enough to see at night, dawn or dusk. I am concerned if other cars I meet can even see me approaching. My flashlight shines brighter and farther. I have replaced the bulbs for the dim lights and it did no good. 2. Drove to California and was in west Texas after dark, could not see the road after dark. 3. My relative is a mechanic and he has confirmed the defective illumination with my dim lights. 4. It has not been confirmed by any officials such as insurance or police. 5. I noticed this problem about 1 year ago. I have been having to run bright lights if I must drive after dark. This is dangerous, illegal if meeting another car, etc. This is a seriously dangerous problem. I have researched on the internet for several weeks looking for a solution. I finally ran across your website. I did see that the Nissan Altima had a recall for their defective headlights. This should also be a recall for the Maxima. I have driven Nissan's for many years and never had this defect. I don't know how recalls are initiated but if it is through the nhtsa it should be investigated promptly as this issue could cost someone's life. If this is the agency that initiates a recall this should happen NOW. All of us Maxima drivers who are having this issue of which according to my research are many, would appreciate any help. I'm sure many Maxima drivers are not aware there is a complaint procedure, I didn't. I am going to have to go to an auto parts retailer, buy two headlight assemblies and use a body shop to install and this will be very expensive. Thank you for your help.
NHTSA complaint #11555842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at night, the driver’s, and passenger's side headlights were very dim, failing to properly illuminate the roadway, causing a visibility hazard for the driver. The contact stated that the light bulbs were replaced but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11527029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The transmission is failing in my car it doesn't want to go. stalling out shuttering,jerking.
NHTSA complaint #11501392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The transmission is failing in my car it doesn't want to go. stalling out shuttering,jerking.
NHTSA complaint #11501392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
a recall and class action lawsuit was issued for the 2013 altima but not the 2013 maxima. they have the same cvt transmission, my cvt transmission on my maxima just went out. Both the maxima and the altima should have been included in these recalls if they have the exact same CVT transmission
NHTSA complaint #11486654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
a recall and class action lawsuit was issued for the 2013 altima but not the 2013 maxima. they have the same cvt transmission, my cvt transmission on my maxima just went out. Both the maxima and the altima should have been included in these recalls if they have the exact same CVT transmission
NHTSA complaint #11486654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I WAS TRAVELING FROM HOUSTON, TX TO DALLAS, TX MIDDAY ON MAY 1, 2021. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES OUTSIDE OF DALLAS ON I-45 TRAVELING 75 MPH WHEN I SUDDENLY FELT A SPUTTER AND THEN THE SPEED INSTANTLY DECREASED FROM 75 MPH TO 20 MPH ON A BUSY MAJOR INTERSTATE. I WAS ALMOST HIT TWICE AS I TRIED TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE WITH CARS TRAVELING UPWARDS OF 75+ MPH, BLOWING AND HONING AND CURSING ME. I MADE IT OFF THE INTERSTATE AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. AFTER MAKING SEVERAL CALLS FOR HELP, I WAS INSTRUCTED BY A MECHANIC TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND RESTART THE CAR AND TRY TO ACCELERATE WHILE ON THE FEEDER. SO I DID, AND THE CAR DID ACCELERATE ENOUGH TO GET BACK ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAD TO DO THIS 5 TIMES TO GET THE REMAINDER OF THE 40 MILES TO M DESTINATION. I TOOK MY CAR TO METRO DALLAS NISSAN IN FLOWER MOUND, TX ON MAY 3, 2021. I WAS TOLD THE INSPECTION FOUND CODES P1778, P0778 FOUND IN ECM AND TCM FOUND TRANSMISSION TO BE SLIPPING AND THEREFORE, THE CVT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.....= $5523.00!!!! I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT NISSAN DEALERSHIPS, MAINTAINED THE CAR IMPECCABLY, DRIVEN WITH CARE AND I AM DEVASTATED! ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS 8 YEARS OLD WITH 139K MILES, THERE IS NO LOGICAL REASON FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO NEED REPLACING EXCEPT FOR DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT FROM NISSAN. I PLAN TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE THE MATTER. I CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND $5K ON A CAR I WORKED SO HARD TO PAY OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11415064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 NISSAN MAXIMA AS I NORMALLY DO EVERY DAY. THEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THANK GOD I HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO GET IT TO A SAFE PLACE AND OUT OF THE HIGHWAY. I ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE BACK TO BECAUSE I HAD THE MAKE A QUICK TURN TO GET IT OUT OF THE STREET AND INTO A PARKING LOT. AND AFTER I STOPPED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.
NHTSA complaint #11414048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
THE VEHICLE WAS IN A PARKED POSITION AT MY HOME. WENT AND STARTED VEHICLE AND FROM PARK TO DRIVE IT HESITATED BEFORE IT STARTS TO MOVE.
NHTSA complaint #11408653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE VEHICLE WAS IN A PARKED POSITION AT MY HOME. WENT AND STARTED VEHICLE AND FROM PARK TO DRIVE IT HESITATED BEFORE IT STARTS TO MOVE.
NHTSA complaint #11408653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE DIM LIGHTS APPEAR NOT TO BE ON WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT OR EARLY MORNING. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY BRIGHT LIGHTS ON. I THOUGHT THE BULB CASE WAS CLOUDY BUT THAT IS NOT THE SITUATION. THE DIM LIGHTS SIMPLY DO NOT SHINE AS THEY SHOULD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS THAT I APPROACH. I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY OWNER OF A NISSAN MAXIMA WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT, I AM NOT. MY FRIEND IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11397891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY VERY DIM LIGHT CAN ONLY BE SEEN 1 FOOT AWAY FROM THE HEADLIGHTS I HAVE EVERYTHING INCLUDING CHANGING THE H11 LIGHT BULBS
NHTSA complaint #11352135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD WHILE THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION NISSAN MEMPHIS (4140 HACKS CROSS ROAD, MEMPHIS, TN 38125) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #11330288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS DO NOT REFLECT HARDLY ANY LIGHT ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT. IT IS DANGEROUS AS YOU CAN NOT SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT. MY FOG LIGHTS GIVE OFF MORE LIGHT THEN MY LOW BEAMS. I HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHTS AND IT MAKES NO DIFFERNCE. I HAVE TRIED 4 DIFFERENT LOW BEAM LIGHTS AND IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IN THE LIGHT OUTPUT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BY NISSAN, THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE! IT'S VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT THE DEALER SHIP WANTS 1000 DOLLARS TO CHANGE THE WHOLE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. NO OTHER CAR NEEDS THIS DONE, YOU CHANGE A LIGHT BULB. WHY DO I NEED TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BECAUSE I DRIVE A NISSAN MAXIMA? THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE REFLECTOR LENS IN THE LOW BEAMS DECAY. THAT'S A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #11311632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
MY 2013 NISSAN MAXIMA SLOWED DOWN WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 60 MPH THEN A SPUTTERING NOISE FOLLOWS WITH A LARGE BOOM AND WINDING NOISE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK MY CAR TO AUTOZONE CODE STATED CVT TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD WHY WOULD I NEED AN TRANSMISSION. I'M SO DISAPPOINTED WITH NISSAN
NHTSA complaint #11269802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY 2013 NISSAN MAXIMA SLOWED DOWN WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 60 MPH THEN A SPUTTERING NOISE FOLLOWS WITH A LARGE BOOM AND WINDING NOISE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK MY CAR TO AUTOZONE CODE STATED CVT TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD WHY WOULD I NEED AN TRANSMISSION. I'M SO DISAPPOINTED WITH NISSAN
NHTSA complaint #11269802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I WAS STOPPING FOR GAS TO HEAD BACK TO WORK, THEN I REALIZED THAT A CLOUD OF SMOKE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE.
NHTSA complaint #11257806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I WAS STOPPING FOR GAS TO HEAD BACK TO WORK, THEN I REALIZED THAT A CLOUD OF SMOKE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE.
NHTSA complaint #11257806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE DIM HEADLIGHT SETTING IS SO DIM THAT CAR CAN NOT BE SAFELY OPERATED AFTER DARK WITHOUT TURNING ON THE BRIGHT LIGHT SETTING. IT IS A SAFETY HAZZARD! I HAVE BEEN A MECHANIC FOR 30 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH POOR HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS BUT IT HAS MADE NO DIFFERENCE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL FOUMS ABOUT THE ALTIMA MODEL HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THEY ARE DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #11254981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
AS I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY FROM ARKANSAS TO TEXAS MY CAR STARTED MAKING THIS REALLY LOUD NOISE AS I WAS ACCELERATING. I WAS ONLY AT 60 MPH AND THE CAR WAS STILL MAKING THE NOISE BUT AS I WAS INCREASING MY SPEED TO PASS AND SWITCH LANES MY CAR SEEM LIKE IT BECAME STUCK AND WOULDN'T LET ME ACCELERATE OR GO ANY FASTER AND MY RPM JUMPED TO 5. I PULLED OVER AND RESTED MY CAR FOR A MINUTE TOOK IT TO O REILEY TO GET IT CHECKED SINCE MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAD COME ON AND THE CODE THAT RETURNED WAS CODE P1778 SOMETHING THEY STATED THAT PERTAIN TO THE STEP MOTOR FUNCTION/TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #11252832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE LOST POWER NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY ALMOST HAD A WRECK THEN THE SPEED PICKED UP OUT OF NOW WHERE. THE RPMS WERE CLIMBED TO 4 AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO AN AUTOZONE TO READ THE CODE AND IT GAVE ME A P1778 TELLING ME THAT THE STEPPER MOTOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 1/2 YEARS MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I'M AT A LOSS FOR WORDS
NHTSA complaint #11244145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TAMARA RECALL: I WAS DRIVING FROM JACKSONVILLE TO ORLANDO WHEN THE RPMS SUDDENLY DROPPED AND THE CAR LOST SPEED IMMEDIATELY. AS I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. I HAD ENOUGH SPEED TO GET ON THE SHOULDER. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT DROVE GOOD FOR ABOUT 5 MINS AND THE THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID IT'S THE TRANSMISSION. I ONLY HAVE ONE HUNDRED FIVE THOUSAND MILES ON IT AND I STILL OWE 8 THOUSAND BUCKS ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #11220483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
YOU FEEL THE CAR PULLING AND JERKING. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE HAD THE CODE CHECKED AND IT WAS P1778 - TRANSMISSION REVERSE I/P CIRCUIT. IT APPEARS TO DO THIS ON LONGER TRIPS OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOT AS MUCH AROUND TOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11209933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.