48 of the
8,853 complaints filed about the Nissan Maxima
are about the doors, latches and locks —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2005.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the power door functions on the front driver’s door failed to operate on two separate occasions. Due to the failure, the contact had to enter the vehicle from the front passenger’s side before crawling over into the driver’s seat. The vehicle was initially taken to the dealer, and the front driver’s side door actuator was replaced. And on the second visit, the contact was informed that both the front driver’s side and rear passenger’s side door actuators were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11685105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and changing lanes, the hood unlatched, flew open and struck the windshield. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,214.
NHTSA complaint #11582542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while attempting to open their front driver side door, but it would not open all the way locking in a place where there is a small space from the door and frame. The contact had to force and push the door back closed and attempt to reopen the door, but it would not open at all. The contact had to enter the vehicle from the front passenger side door. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed the failure latch assembly was disconnected and repaired the latch assembly, however, the failure occurred again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #11444852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11302001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING. IT IS CURRENTLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ONLY BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE, I EXPECT TO BEGIN HAPPENING ON OTHER DOORS AS THE ACTUATOR'S BEGIN FAILING. NORMALLY THIS MAY BE A SIMPLE ANNOYANCE BUT SINCE THIS VEHICLE USES A KEY FOB IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO QUICKLY UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND THERE IS NO WAY TO QUICKLY SECURE THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE EITHER OF THESE SITUATIONS COULD PUT THE SOMEONE AT RISK AND IN HARMS WAY, ESPECIALLY IF THE DRIVER IS RELYING ON THE SAFETY MECHANISM TO ENSURE CHILDREN DO NOT ACCIDENTALLY OPEN A DOOR THAT HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY SECURED WHILE TRAVELING. THE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING OF A VEHICLE IS INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE, IT'S CONTENTS, AND IT'S OCCUPANTS SAFE AND IS HEAVILY RELIED ON IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT. I HAVE SEEN ESTIMATES TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE FROM OVER $500 TO ALMOST $2,000, A FAIRLY EXPENSE REPAIR FOR THE VEHICLE OWNER BUT A FAIRLY INEXPENSIVE COST FOR THE MANUFACTURER. ALTHOUGH THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A STRETCH TO CALL THIS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT FOR WHAT OTHER PURPOSE ARE DOOR LOCKS INTENDED? IT IS MY REQUEST THAT THE MANUFACTURER ISSUE A RECALL FOR FAULTY DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR'S.
NHTSA complaint #10633037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STOPPED AT A LOCAL SHOP, GOT OUT OF CAR TO MAIL A LETTER, CAR STILL RUNNING, KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE DOORS LOCKED ON THE CAR WHILE IT WAS RUNNING AND NO ONE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. LUCKILY I DID NOT HAVE MY CHILD IN THE CAR SEAT, IT WAS HOT AND IT TOOK ME HAVING TO GET SOMEONE TO GO TO MY HOME AND RETRIEVE A SPARE KEY TO OPEN THE DOOR. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND BECAUSE IT WAS 10 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. I FILED A COMPLAINT EARLIER, BUT NEVER HEARD A RESPONSE. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY 2005 ALTIMA. THE DOORS ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO LOCK IF CAR IS RUNNING. THIS IS A HAZARD AND A DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10480791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SMART KEY LOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WERE TAMPERED WITH WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS TO UNLOCK AND ROLL DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WILL REPLACE THE SWITCH IN THE DOOR LOCK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE FAILURE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10456662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOCKING SYSTEM UNRELIABLE. LOCKED DOORS UNLOCK WHILE PARKED AND WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES ALARM WILL SOUND WHEN UNLOCKED DOOR IS OPENED, SOMETIMES NOT. CAR IS UNSAFE FOR CHILDREN IN REAR SEAT WITH UNLOCKED DOORS. CAR WITH DOORS THAT WILL NOT STAY LOCKED IS UNSECURED AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO THEFT AND CAR-JACKING.
NHTSA complaint #10449383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW HAMPSHIRE MY 2007 NISSAN MAXIMA DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK UNLESS DONE MANUALLY, THERE ARE MAJOR SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THIS ONGOING PROBLEM, TO NAME A FEW:1. HAVING A SECURE ENVIRONMENT IS PARAMOUNT IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS. WHEN LOCKING THE DOORS IT'S IMPERATIVE NOBODY CAN GAIN ACCESS AT WILL BY WALKING UP TO THE CAR. IF ANYONE CAN SIMPLY OPEN THE DOOR TO GAIN ACCESS, CARJACKING, INJURY, OR EVEN MURDER IS EASIER. IF THE DOORS LOCKED PROPERLY THIS PROVIDES A MORE SECURE ENVIRONMENT FOR THIS TYPE OF SCENARIO. 2. NISSAN KNOWING THERE IS A SECURITY PROBLEM WITH THEIR LOCKING MECHANISM AND NOT RECALLING THEM FOR SAFETY CONCERN IS NEGLIGENT. IT'S AN OPEN DOOR TO A LAWSUIT IF SOMEONE WERE TO BE MURDERED DUE TO A DOOR THAT DIDN'T LOCK, ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER PUSHED THE LOCK BUTTON AND HEARD THE LOCKING NOISE. REMEMBER, IN THIS CASE THERE'S NO OBVIOUS INDICATION THE DOOR ISN'T LOCKED UNLESS SOMEONE WALKS UP AND OPENS IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE DRIVE "THINKS" THE DOOR IS LOCKED, WHEN IN REALITY IT'S AN "OPEN DOOR" FOR CARJACKING OR ROBBERY. 3. IN EMERGENCIES IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO UNLOCK DOORS QUICKLY. SINCE 99% OF THE TIME WE ALL USE THE BUTTON TO LOCK AND UNLOCK DOORS, USING THE MANUAL LOCKING LEVER IS UNFAMILIAR. AND THE MURANO'S DESIGN IS SUCH THAT IT'S NOT EASY TO COMPREHEND IF IT'S NOT YOUR CAR, FOR INSTANCE A RENTAL CAR. I CAN EASILY UNDERSTAND HOW SOME PEOPLE WOULD BE CONFUSED HOW UNLOCK A DOOR USING THE MANUAL LEVEL IN AN EMERGENCY WHEN THEY VIRTUALLY HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WITH IT. IN EMERGENCIES EVERY SECOND COUNTS. THE LOCKING/UNLOCKING SOLENOID MALFUNCTIONING IS CLEARLY A HIGH RISK IN EMERGENCY SCENARIOS. SOME PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE $1600 TO HAVE ALL THE SOLENOIDS REPLACED (AS QUOTED BY DEALERS) WILL FORGO GETTING THEM FIXED, PUTTING THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS AT RISK WITH THE ABOVE MISHAP EXAMPLES. THIS SHOULDN'T BE, NISSAN SHOULD RECALL THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10384637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE LOCKED THE VEHICLE AND ACTIVATED THE ALARM BUT THE TRUNK DID NOT LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS BURGLARIZED BECAUSE THE TRUNK WAS NOT LOCKED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT HE HAD TO STAND AT A CERTAIN DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE FOR THE TRUNK TO LOCK. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,229.
NHTSA complaint #10374087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED MY 06' MAXIMA IN 08' I HAD IT FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND THE CD PLAYER DOESNT PLAY ANY THING IT SKIPS SPITS THE CD OUT AND AN ERROR MESG. COMES UP. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY "FIXED IT" SO THEY SAY 1 WEEK LATER IT STARTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE I CALLED AND THEY SAID THEY CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT MAYBE ITS THE CD. SO I NEVER GOT THAT ISSUE FIXED. AN OTHER ISSUE IS MY CAR HAS ABOUT 70K MILES AND EVERY TIME THE CAR GOES 20-30 MPH IT HAS A HARD HIT TO CHANGE GEARS EVERY TIME. MY CAR GET SERVICED EVERY 3-4 MONTHS AND NOW I NEED A NEW TRANMISSION!! I ONLY WORK ABOUT 20 MILES FROM WHERE I LIVE HOW CAN THAT BE? ALSO I HAD TO REPLACE SOME KIND OF BRAKE PART. EVERY TIME I WENT TO BRAKE THE CAR MADE THIS NOISE AND IT STARTED TO SHAKE THE SOUND WAS THIS GRINDING SOUND THEN AN OTHER SOUND STARTED LIKE WHEN YOU PRESS THE BRAKES AND THE ROADS ARE WET. BUT SHAKING REAL BAD. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS W & T ON THE CAR. WHEN I ASKED HIM HOW OFFTEN THIS HAPPENS AND HE SAID NOT THAT OFFTEN SO HOW CAN THAT BE? OTHER THAN THAT ITS LITTLE THING LIKE MY TRUCK LOCK DOESNT STAY PUT I HAVE TO TIGHTEN THE BOLTS OF IT ONCE AWEEK PLEASE MAKE NISSAN DO A RE-CALL I HAVE READ ALL THE COMPALINTS AND THEY ARE ALL THE SAME AND EXPENSIVE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10371049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION, STEERING, BRAKES,BODY WORK, DRIVERS DOOR. HAD ISSUES RIGHT AFTER WIFE BOUGHT THE CAR SHE WENT WITHOUT ME BUT UPON LOOKING AT CAR AFTER SHE CAME HOME WITH IT DID THE CAR FAX ON IT ON THING WERE SOME ELECTRICAL CHECKS THAT'S IT NO ACCIDENTS. STEERING TIGHT WHEN I DROVE IT AND NOTICED NOISE FROM SUSPENSION WHEN GOING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS AND DRIVER DOOR SAGGING. BROUGHT TO DEALER NEXT DAY AND THE SAID A BAR WAS RUBBING ON ANOTHER THEY FIX THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH SUSPENSION IN HEARING THINGS IS THERE EXACT WORDS AND REPLACED THE DOOR HINGES WHICH ARE PURPLE AND THE CAR IS RED DOOR SAGGING AGAIN BUT I WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT END OF 2008 GOT SIDESWIPED BY 2500 DODGE RAM TRUCK AT 45 MPH ON DRIVERSIDE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THAT BECAUSE BODY SHOP ON REPAIR DAMAGE NOT REPLACED I BROUGHT MY CAR TO ANOTHER BODY SHOP BECAUSE OF ISSUES IM HAVING AND THEY SAID WORK WAS DONE INCORRECTLY. AND TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS WHEN I DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MILES CONTINUOUSLY WHEN I COME TO STOP AND START AGAIN THE TRANNY ALWAYS SLIPS BAD BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AND INTO 4TH SOMETIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10367952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVERS DOOR LOCK DOES NOT LOCK/UN-LOCK WITH REMOTE ALL THE TIME. MUST USE KEY TO UNLOCK. ONLY NOTICE PROBLEM WITH DRIVERS DOOR LOCK AT THIS TIME. THIS FAILURE HAPPENS 75% OF THE TIME I UNLOCK MY VEHICLE. IT APPEARS TO ALWAYS LOCK, BUT I DO NOT DOUBLE CHECK THE LOCKING SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10342573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE SECOND AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK HAS GONE OUT ON MY VEHICLE. NOW THE PASSENGER DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. SINCE THE ONLY WAY TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOOR IS FROM THE INSIDE (NO DOOR LOCK FOR KEY ON OUTSIDE) THIS POTENTIALLY CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH MY FAMILY AND THE NEED TO GET SMALL CHILDREN IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE THAT ARE REQUIRED TO RIDE IN THE BACK WITH CHILD SEATS BY STATE LAW.
NHTSA complaint #10334765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT A NISSAN MAXIMA 1999 FOR MY DAUGHTER ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT SHE GOT IN HER CAR ONE MORNING AFTER JUST HAVING HER VEHICLE AT A MECHANIC FOR A CHECK UP/SERVICE. THEY TOLD HER THE CAR WAS FINE. SHE THEN PROCEEDED DOWN THE ROAD TO THE FREEWAY, STOPPED FOR GAS AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. PANICKED BY THE 'AREA' OF TOWN SHE WAS IN I HAD A TOW TRUCK FROM AAA DISPATCHED TO MEET HER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE KEY TO THE VEHICLE HAD BECOME DEPROGRAMMED. I PROCEEDED TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO HELP ME UNLESS I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEM. A SCAM ALERT TO ENSURE THAT YOU MUST USE A DEALERSHIP AT HIGH COST. MY FEAR IS THAT SHOULD MY DAUGHTER BE HEADED THROUGH THE ARIZONA DESERT IN 120 HEAT AND THIS SAME SITUATION WOULD HAVE COME UP WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO CONTACT SOMEONE, HER (OR ANYONE ELSE'S) LIFE COULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER. I FIND THIS KEY MALFUNCTIONING TO BE A SEVER SAFETY HAZARD AND THAT MORE PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT THEY COULD ENDANGER THEIR LIVES IF THE KEY MALFUNCTIONS AND THEY ARE NOT NEAR A DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. I HAVE ANOTHER NISSAN FX45 THAT I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE FOR FEAR THAT THE KEY COULD MALFUNCTION IN A SIMILAR MANNER LEAVING ME STRANDED AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10330901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK ALWAYS. PERSONS IN BACK SEAT CANNOT GET OUT. DOORS HAVE TO BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #10324144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1984 NISSAN MAXIMA SHE STATED THAT THE POWER LOCKS FAILED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HER TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES SHE WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY REPAIRS AS OF YET. THE FAILURE HAS ONLY OCCURRED ON ONE OCCASION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID NOT RECEIVED A FORM FOR HIS COMPLAINT. UPDATED 05/11/10. UPDATED 06/11/10 *BF UPDATED 07/26/10
NHTSA complaint #10296159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.