100 of the 8,853 complaints filed about the Nissan Maxima are about the equipment — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2004.
100
Complaints
1%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
4
Fires
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA complaint #11576807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR AT EXTREMELY SLOW SPEEDS MY CAR COMPLETELY TURNED ITSELF OFF AND WAS UNABLE TO START BACK UP FOR 15 MINUTES. DURING THIS TIME THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE ENTIRE CAR, THUS RESULTING IN HAVING TO UNLOCK MY DOOR MANUALLY AND CRAWL THROUGH THE BACK TO GET MY SON OUT. 2 MONTHS LATER MY CAR STARTED LOSING ALL POWER WHEN I STOPPED, ONCE AGAIN RESULTING IN HAVING TO MANUALLY UNLOCK MY CAR AND UNABLE TO LOCK THE DOORS BEHIND ME.
NHTSA complaint #11207042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED HOT AIR BLOWING THROUGH THE VENTS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE MORE THAN TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHERIDAN NISSAN (114 S DUPONT HWY, NEW CASTLE, DE 19720, (302) 326-6100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPRESSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. *TT
NHTSA complaint #11103052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I WAS IN ATLANTA, GA DRIVING DOWN UNION CITY ROAD WHEN I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. I HEARD GLASS BREAK AND LOOKED TO SEE IF MY BACK WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN. I PULLED OVER ONTO A SIDE STREET AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND REALIZED THAT MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. THERE WAS NOT ANOTHER CAR NOR TRUCK NEAR ME BEFORE THE EXPLOSION SO IT WAS NOT A ROCK. THE CLOTH DIVIDER BETWEEN THE INSIDE OF THE CAR AND THE GLASS WAS NOT DAMAGED NOR WAS A ROCK OR BULLET FOUND. I CALLED MY SISTER AND SHE TOLD ME THERE WAS A DEALER UP THE STREET AND TO GO THERE. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT AND GAVE TOLD BE THAT ALBA GLASS REPAIR COULD HELP ME. I KEPT GETTING THE RUN AROUND SO I CALLED FIVE STAR NISSAN, IN ALBANY, GA, WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME THAT WAS NOT PART OF THE WARRANTY AND I HAD TO CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY WHICH I DID. NO ONE COULD EXPLAIN THE EXPLOSION. I CHECKED ONLINE AND THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED REPEATEDLY WITH SEVERAL MODELS OF NISSAN.
NHTSA complaint #10874398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 08/16/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10787069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 08/16/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10787069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK - (ESCL) FAILED. CAR WILL NOT START. KEY FOB IS OPERATIONAL. KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2009-2010 NISSANS. UNITS ARE DEFECTIVE, NISSAN NOT WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR 2010 PARTS. FAILURE WILL HAPPEN INSTANTLY, AND WILL LEAVE YOU STRANDED ANYTIME ANYPLACE. VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. REPAIR COST IS >$1,000.00
NHTSA complaint #10670493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
I TRIED TO START MY CAR THIS MORNING BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS YELLOW LIGHT THAT SAID KEY AND WHEN I TRIED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE NOTHING HAPPENED. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE 2009 MAXIMAS FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE THAT I HAVE - ITS DUE TO THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKING. NO EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS GIVEN FOR THE 2010'S WHICH IS WRONG BECAUSE CLEARLY THERE STILL A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN THAT WAS NOT FIXED FOR THE 2010 MODELS BUT NISSAN STATED THAT IS WAS INFACT FIXED AND NO WARRANTY/DISCOUNT/ETC WILL BE GIVEN FOR THE 2010S. I WILL HAVE TO PAY OVER $1000 FOR FAULTY DESIGN DUE TO NISSAN. NEVER BUYING ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN!
NHTSA complaint #10670139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
NO ACTIVATION OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM. AFTER FOLLOWING ALL TROUBLE SHOOTING ADVICE IN THE CAR'S MANUAL, I TOWED THE CAR TO DEALER WHERE THEY FLAGGED AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING LOCK CONTROL UNIT (PART# 487009N00B) AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS ALL PART OF THE VEHICLE ANTI-THEFT IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS UNIT WAS $1041.17. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW IN THE 2010 NISSAN MAXIMA. THIS WAS A FULLY FUNCTIONING CAR (EXCEPT FOR ANTI-THEFT CIRCUIT GLITCH) THAT LEFT ME STRANDED IN A SITUATION WHERE MY CAR COULD HAVE BEEN TOWED BY THE CITY. NISSAN PROMOTES HOW SAFE, RELIABLE AND ECONOMICAL THEIR CARS ARE, BUT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM CAN DISABLE THE VEHICLE LEAVING DRIVER STRANDED WITH ONLY ONE OPTION, WHICH IS, TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER BECAUSE OF ANT-THEFT SYSTEM GLITCHES. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY TO FEMALE DRIVERS.I FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD COME UP WITH AN OVERRIDE CODE OR DEVICE THAT WILL ALLOW A DRIVER TO ESCAPE FROM POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS THAT WERE CREATED BY NISSAN'S VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS FULLY FUNCTIONAL EXCEPT FOR AN ANTI-THEFT IMMOBILIZING CIRCUIT FALSELY TELLING THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT READY TO START WHEN IT IS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW IN THEIR VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10638299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR IN MAY 2013 I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL TIMES THAT WITH OR WITHOUT SOMEONE IN MY PASSENGER SEAT MY AIR BAG SENSOR WILL LIGHT UP SHOWING THAT THE AIR BAG IS OFF NO MATTER HOW I OR THE PERSON IN THE SEAT MOVES IT WILL NOT COME ON. THE AIR BAG JUST REMAINS TURNED OFF. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME I JUST FOUND OUT HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT IT IN HOPES OF GETTING IT FIXED. I KNOW THERE ARE RECALLS ON MANY NISSAN MAKES AND MODELS FOR THIS BUT THE 2012 MAXIMA IS EXCLUDED.
NHTSA complaint #10575063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK JULY 3RD, 2013 AROUND 7:00AM. I SMELLED SMOKE IN MY CAR SO I PULLED OVER, OPENED MY HOOD AND I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. I GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO WORK. I SMELLED SMOKE AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME TO REALIZE THAT MY BOTTOM WAS GETTING HOT. I LOOKED DOWN TO THE RIGHT TO SEE IF MY SEAT WARMER WAS ON AND IT WASN'T. THEN MY SEAT BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD & BACKWARD BY ITSELF ABOUT 3 TIMES. I TURNED BACK AROUND TO THE FRONT AND THERE WAS A CLOUD OF SMOKE IN MY FACE & FLAMES AT MY FEET. I QUICKLY GRABBED MY PHONE AND MY IPAD, RELEASED MY SEAT BELT, PULLED UP MY EMERGENCY BRAKE, OPENED THE DOOR AND JUMPED OUT OF MY CAR FALLING ONTO THE GROUND, JUMP UP, AND CALLED 911. WHILE WAITING ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT & THE POLICE I STOOD THERE CRYING HYSTERICALLY, TERRIFIED AND WATCHED MY CAR GO UP IN FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #10534994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
CD PLAYER DOES NOT CONNECT TO SPEAKERS. SOUND MUFFLED.
NHTSA complaint #10522475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA SE (EQUIPPED WITH SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION) COMPONENT FAIURE: CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER 1ST OCCURENCE - APRIL 2008 ~31,000 MILES SUDDEN TOTAL LOSS OF CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSURE RESULTING IN INABILITY TO PUT CAR INTO ANY GEAR WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS, EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A BRIDGE, RESULTING IN EXTREME SAFETY CONCERNS TRYING TO GET OUT OF HARMS WAY. JAMMED CAR INTO GEAR WITHOUT PRESSURE CLUTCH RESULTED IN SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS OF CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES TO THE TRANSMISSION GEARS. NISSAN REPLACED THE FAILED CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $400.00. TRANSMISSION WAS FIXED BY NISSAN UNDER WARRANTY. 2ND OCCURENCE - MARCH 2013 ~58,000 MILES SUDDEN PARTIAL LOSS (1/2) OF CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING HOME IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. NO LONGER CAN DRIVE CAR DUE TO SAFETY/RELIABILITY CONCERNS. IN BOTH OF THE OCCURENCES ABOVE, FULL CLUTCH PRESSURE RETURNED AFTER LETTING CAR SIT AND COLL DOWN FOR APPROXIMATELY 1/2 HOUR. A SEARCH OF THE WE REVEALED THAT MANY DRIVES OF NISSAN'S OF THIS VINTAGE HAVE EXPERIENCED IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS OF CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSURE FAILURE. DEALER WILL NOT ADMIT IT IS A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10502643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
2005 NISSAN MAXIMA PURCHASED NEW IN 2004. THE CAR KEEPS MAKING SUDDEN VIOLENT JERKING MOVEMENTS WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL HAZARD FOR A CAR ACCIDENT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR. I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS AND CAN NOT GO MORE THAT 35MPH. THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE AFTER BEING AT A STOP. THERE IS A LONG HESITATION BEFORE THE CAR BEGINS TO DRIVE AFTER BEING PUT IN GEAR TO DRIVE. IT ALSO JERKS FORWARD SUDDENLY WHEN IT DOES DECIDE TO MOVE. SOMETIMES THE CAR WON'T MOVE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. AT STOP LIGHTS I HAVE TO SHIFT GEARS AT TIMES TO GET IT TO MOVE. ANOTHER INCIDENT INCLUDED THE CAR NOT STOPPING. I HAD TO MOVE IT INTO FIRST GEAR TO GET IT TO STOP. THE CAR JERKS BACKWARDS WHEN REVERSING. WHEN THESE PROBLEMS STARTED THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN BECAUSE WE SUSPECTED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THEY TOLD US IT WAS NOT THE TRANSMISSION BUT INSTEAD MOTOR MOUNTS,RODS, AND BOLTS. I SPENT ALMOST $3,000 TO REPAIR IT AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. NOW, I AM BEING TOLD THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $3100. NISSAN HAS DIAGNOSED THIS PROBLEM. WE DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT FOR THE 2004-2005 MAXIMA. THIS INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS ACTUALLY AWARE OF. THE BATTERY HAS ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED 3TIMES. THE POWER DOORS NO LONGER WORK NEITHER DOES THE SUN ROOF. I HAVE TO DRIVE TO GET TO WORK AND TO GET THE KIDS TO SCHOOL. I DO NOT LIKE TO DRIVE WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR FOR FEAR THAT THE CAR WILL NOT STOP AGAIN OR THAT THERE WILL BE A COLLISION BECAUSE OF THE JERKY MOVEMENTS AND THE CARS HESITATION. NISSAN HAS BEEN CONTACTED. NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN OFFERED AT THIS TIME. CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10417883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
TRANSMISSION ISSUES. AFTER 65,000 MILES 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA JERKS BETWEEN LOW GEARS SHIFTS AND SLIPS FREQUENTLY DURING NORMAL DRIVING. A TRANSMISSION FLUSH HAS BEEN DONE ON THIS VEHICLE AS RECOMMENDED BY NISSAN SERVICE STAFF HOWEVER ISSUES CONTINUE.
NHTSA complaint #10404549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
FAULTY BOSE SOUND SYSTEM 6 CD CHANGER. LEFT SIDE SPEAKER ON & OFF. I CALLED SO MANY TIMES TO NISSAN CORP. NO PROPER REPLY. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAME KIND OF PROBLEM. NISSAN USE FAULTY PARTS AND NEVER RECALLED AND FIX THIS UNITS.
NHTSA complaint #10394253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I TOOK THE CAR INTO A NISSAN DEALER FOR A ABS ISSUE I HAVE WHERE ABS,TCS AND SLIP LIGHT IS COMING ON AND MAKEN A HORRIBLE NOISE .THEY TOLD ME THE ACTUATOR AND REAR HUB NEEDED REPAIR FOR A TOTAL OF 2270.00 PLUS TAX.THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND IN MY OPINION AS A MECHANIC SHOULD BE A NATIONAL RECALL,FOR ALL THE PEOPLE HAVEN THIS ISSUE IS THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.
NHTSA complaint #10394124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA THAT SWAYS WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AND SHIFTS HARD OR SKIPS OUT OF GEAR BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. ONLY HAVE 59,500 MILES ON CAR AND FRONT STRUTS SWAY BAR SUB FRAME BUSHINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH STRUTS AND TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10392809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I HAVE A NISSAN MAXIMA THAT I HAD TO REPLACE ALL TIRES BECAUSE OF A DEFECT THAT CAME TO ME IN THE MAIL AFTER I BROUGHT MY NEW TIRES AND WAS NOT REIMBURSED. I ALSO HAD PROBLEM WITH FRONT ROTORS THAT THEY KEPT REPLACING NUMEROUS TIMES UNTIL MY WARRANT RAN OUT AND THAN I HAD TO REPLACE THEM WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE ROTORS SO IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.NOW AFTER ALL OF THAT AND MORE I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE OUT OF NOWHERE MY TRANSMISSION BLEW UP AFTER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT BECAUSE OF YEARS NOT MILEAGE AND NO MATTER WHERE I WENT I WAS TOLD THAT IF I WOULD REPLACE IT WITH A NEW OR USE TRANSMISSION THAT I WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO ONE WANTS TO WORK ON IT.I WAS TOLD BY MECHANICS THAT ONLY THE 2004 HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10381514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA EQUIPPED WITH A WEBASTO HOLLANDIA 700 AFTERMARKET SUNROOF. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD, ABNORMAL BANGING FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOOKED INTO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT HIS EQUIPMENT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V421000 (VISIBILITY:SUN ROOF ASSEMBLY). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA complaint #10373887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.