FaultScore

Nissan Maxima fuel system problems

503 of the 8,853 complaints filed about the Nissan Maxima are about the fuel system — 6% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1987.

503

Complaints

6%

Share of all complaints

6

Crashes

161

Fires

Fuel & Propulsion complaints by model year

1982 Maxima 4 0.8%
1983 Maxima 4 0.8%
1984 Maxima 29 5.8%
1985 Maxima 36 7.2%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

1986 Maxima 36 7.2%
1987 Maxima 105 20.9%

Median failure at 155,000 miles

1988 Maxima 32 6.4%
1989 Maxima 22 4.4%

Median failure at 121,590 miles

1990 Maxima 41 8.2%

Median failure at 110,000 miles

1991 Maxima 12 2.4%

Median failure at 186,000 miles

1992 Maxima 28 5.6%

Median failure at 174,000 miles

1993 Maxima 10 2.0%

Median failure at 106,600 miles

1994 Maxima 29 5.8%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

1995 Maxima 7 1.4%

Median failure at 78,890 miles

1996 Maxima 3 0.6%

Median failure at 174,788 miles

1997 Maxima 4 0.8%

Median failure at 81,500 miles

1998 Maxima 5 1.0%
1999 Maxima 4 0.8%

Median failure at 142,000 miles

2000 Maxima 10 2.0%

Median failure at 88,250 miles

2001 Maxima 10 2.0%

Median failure at 89,500 miles

2002 Maxima 8 1.6%

Median failure at 68,000 miles

2003 Maxima 7 1.4%

Median failure at 188,000 miles

2004 Maxima 8 1.6%

Median failure at 105,000 miles

2005 Maxima 8 1.6%

Median failure at 84,500 miles

2006 Maxima 6 1.2%

Median failure at 82,500 miles

2007 Maxima 6 1.2%

Median failure at 29,560 miles

2008 Maxima 3 0.6%

Median failure at 86,162 miles

2009 Maxima 2 0.4%

Median failure at 5 miles

2010 Maxima 2 0.4%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

2011 Maxima 1 0.2%

Median failure at 82,000 miles

2012 Maxima 1 0.2%

Median failure at 100,215 miles

2013 Maxima 1 0.2%

Median failure at 39,997 miles

2014 Maxima 5 1.0%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

2016 Maxima 10 2.0%

Median failure at 4,533 miles

2017 Maxima 3 0.6%
2020 Maxima 1 0.2%

What owners said

2017 Nissan Maxima Roanoke, VA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My car has been "losing power" while driving. While driving and pressing the gas pedal, the car will stop accelerating and kind of goes into an idle state. Highly dangerous! It happened the other day while I was attempting to enter traffic. It has been happening off and on for the last 2 weeks and has been happening more frequently, meaning several times a day. It seems to happen more often when the temperature outside is hot (90+ degrees). Also, with the last few times, after it happens and I regain power, the ABS light comes on and remains on until I shut off the engine.

NHTSA complaint #11678496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Nissan Maxima Holly Springs, MS Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

There was a thermal combustion that caused a fire. Yes, the caught combusted at a local business. I had just entered the building and was told that my car was on fire. The police and Nissan inspected the car but refused to provide the inspection report. A light came on. I do not know the exact date that it appeared. I just received the recall notice and did not have the opportunity to get the car repaired.

NHTSA complaint #11673095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Nissan Maxima Cincinnati, OH

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My vehicle has experienced recurring failures where it will suddenly stop accelerating while driving, placing me in a dangerous situation. The engine remains on, but the car will only coast forward or backward with no throttle response. This has happened multiple times, and I have had to pull over for safety. Restarting the car occasionally works temporarily, but the issue returns within minutes. I understand that Nissan has previously extended warranty coverage for CVT issues in similar models

NHTSA complaint #11672749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Nissan Maxima Warrington, PA Crash 1 injured

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While pulling into a parking space, I heard my engine racing. Immediately, I felt the car lurch forward. To avoid misapplying my foot to the gas pedal, I withdrew both my feet to the floor, next to the seat. The car continued forward at a fast rate. The car stopped going forward after it struck s building. However, the tires kept spinning, especially the front left tire. The engine ran briefly, until it stopped spontaneously. A few days previously, while driving at about 40 miles per hour on level ground, I felt the gas pedal to be unresponsive. Then it quickly reengaged. I mentioned this to my husband and he suggested that there may have been an air bubble in the fuel line. I don't know if the two events are related. Also, possibly related, I stopped using cruise control, because the car would surge and lapse during use. My insurance company is pursuing spontaneous acceleration. I visited my primary care physician the afternoon of the accident and was diagnosed with whiplash.

NHTSA complaint #11620050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Nissan Maxima Conway, AR

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Over the last couple months I've noticed my vehicle delay acceleration after coming to a stop. I've also noticed jerking while driving at a constant speed. First I thought it was bad gas but the problem has persisted for several fill ups now. I thought maybe the transmission fluid needed to be replaced so I paid a couple hundred bucks to have it serviced. The problem continued. I took it to a local car shop to get it scanned. There were no codes present at the time. A few weeks later and after nearly being struck by three different vehicles in one day, I decided to try a different car repair shop. At the tune of another $91.00 for the diagnosis, this time it threw 5 codes all for transmission. The mechanic proceeded to tell me about all of the problems people have been having with Nissan's and their CVT Transmissions. It's $5k to fix the issue and I'm outside of the extended warranty timeframe. I read about the recent lawsuits against Nissan for this issue. Would be nice if they extended that warranty a little further.

NHTSA complaint #11527303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Nissan Maxima Lumberton, MS

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Unknown. Recently bought vehicle, it's in great condition other than there is noticeable problems with the front and rear steering and suspension, missing airbags with no sign of being wrecked, windows and window buttons don't work as well as power seat, and a awful gas smell and fume. Inside vehicle after. Pumping gas. Wanting to see about any recalls or defects that can be fixed without out of pocket costs if at all possible . Don't know the vehicles recall or repair history.

NHTSA complaint #11489486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Nissan Maxima Cameron, NC

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Not sure what is goiNg I have spent so Much money replaciNg parts on this car. And it is still not fixed. It’s one thing after Another . I cannot fight out why the engine light is on its like the whole care is malfunctioning. And no one knows what it is. And heavy smoke From tail pipe. While driving it feels Like It Wants to StAll like the gas gets stuck . I was told To buy a control module but it didn’t need that . And I can’t Afford To Keep trying to Fix it. It’s my only Car and I’m A non working single Mom trying my Best to fix it. But this car is Causing So Much depression I don’t know what else to do. Because it’s costing too much and times is already hard.

NHTSA complaint #11451074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Nissan Maxima Rocky Mount, VA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

When I first purchased this car I had immediate problems with the power steering fluid. The check engine light has remained on the entire time. But the car was hemorrhaging fluid, groaning, whining, and my steering was becoming extremely loose. I call the dealer that sold me the car, because I dropped 4 grand on what seemed like a nice vehicle with under 100k on it. Well, I bought the car right off the lot and they refused to repair it. Cool, I respect that. IF the inspection reports and other papers are clearly falsified. It couldn't have passed inspection under normal situations. But since the dealer owns their own shop, they could slap stickers on busted vehicles and send them off to be sold. Eventually they do me " A favor" by replacing the power steering actuator/pump hoses & did work on towards a DTC code P0550. They give me that favor by charging me only for the parts, no labor. Totally cool, if work was done. It still has the same electrical tape in areas that was "fixed". They clear my codes and off I go. Engine light cuts on again and I'm having the same issues. My power steering fluid looks like it's boiling or bubbling as well. Still getting the P0550 code as my main DTC. Except now, I'm having major problems and my car has been sitting for a month. Not sure if the leaky fluid corroded components from before. As of now I'm throwing DTCs for P0171, P0305, P0550 (twice), believe I have a vacuum leak, my exhaust system is damaged internally from the misfire codes and has also broken apart near the rear muffler, among other pending codes. Lastly, I was coming home from work and my car completely loses power and bogs waaaay down. Engine light is flashing and I have no control or power. I limp home, park the car, and haven't drove it since other than for test drives. After countless repairs for the same issues, among new repairs and issues I'm broke. Issues started on 3/24 through 12/21 Not had this car for a year and it's been a constant pain ever since.

NHTSA complaint #11445236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Nissan Maxima La Porte, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

October 25, 2021 At 4:30 PM. After waiting for the light to turn green, I enter the Clear Lake Park making a left a right and left turn into the park. While turning left that’s when I notice a decreased in power, and an exclamation symbo, but the car kept advancing very smooth!! But when I tried to park the vehicle it started shaking, vibrating with a roaring sound, it felt like even the tires ware going to get off the rims!! Making a lot of noice!! I had difficulty steering and parking between two spaces hit the concrete barrier twice or tree times, at that time the steering wheel was to hard to control. I turn the car off on parked I was puzzled, for what happened. After five or ten minutes I start the car again place it on reverse then on drive the car was moving very, very, slow with the gas paddle to the floor. Advance to the other side by the Community Center, as I turn left to park, the car started shaking again the steering wheel was very, very hard to control turning left but the force of the tires ware moving right. I was holding on to the steering wheel trying to park again at this time the car completely die on me. By then it was almost 5:00 PM. I called my insurance to request roadside assistance, and a wrecker service that didn’t arrived. After one hour and half a driver came to help to start the battery, he attempted to start the battery twice. This happened after one of my sons had tried two times too. Finally the car starts again, after dealing with it for 4 hours. Drove it for a quarter of a block and died again. The wrecker service came the next day to drive the car to Clear Lake Nissan, they kept the car for two days and supposedly didn’t find anything wrong with it. If this problem had happened on Nassau, road probably I would had been killed. Today the 29th of October, After doing some errands and returning home a symbol of a transmission came on the dashboard while the car was loosing power it hardly made it up to my driveway

NHTSA complaint #11438721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Nissan Maxima Wyoming, MI

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2016 Nissan Maxima SR, problem started at 22000 miles, car runs fine, then when hitting a bump or railroad tracks, and sometime while accelerating at a light or from a stop the car goes into limp mode, max speed is apx 6 mph just enough to get it off road, at times it stalls in the intersection or when you come to a stop. Traction control light and engine light come on until you shut car down and restart. engine light remains on solid but can be driven in most cases, at times it turns over then stalls, if you wait long enough it usually resets snd is drivable. Has several DTC codes when checked on of them is P1735 and a few others. It’s dangerous because you lose the ability to get properly through an intersection or to get by traffic on highway or side street, I have put my emergency lights on several times when this has happened. After reviewing TSB’s Technical Service Bullatans it seems I am not alone with this issue.

NHTSA complaint #11427628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Nissan Maxima at 220,000 miles Suffolk, VA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR JERKED AND FELT LIKE IT WAS LOSING ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TCS AND SLID LIGHT TURNED ON. I BEGAN TO FEEL SCARED I HAD MY CHILD, SISTER AND BROTHER IN THE VEHICLE. I PROCEED TO DRIVE HOME WITH CAUTION. ONCE I ARRIVED HOME, I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART IT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START.

NHTSA complaint #11397617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Nissan Maxima at 188,000 miles Montclair, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

IT HAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, IT TAKES TIME TO START AND WHEN IT IS DRIVING IT TURNS OFF (BUT IT TURNS ON).IT GOES OFF ON FLAT SURFACES, AND WHEN YOU ARE ON A RISE THAT'S WHERE IT TAKES TO CATCH ON.

NHTSA complaint #11330520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Nissan Maxima at 188,000 miles Montclair, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

IT HAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, WHEN THE CAR IS UP, IT TAKES TIME TO START AND WHEN IT IS DRIVING IT SOMETIMES TURNS OFF, BUT IF THEY TURN IT ON AGAIN IF IT STARTS.

NHTSA complaint #11330525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Nissan Maxima at 68,000 miles Chicago, IL Crash

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

[XXX] POWER STEERING SYSTEM TIRES FUEL PUMP AIR BAGS BATTERY EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FALLING APART SINCE 2018, IT'S BEEN FIXED AND COUPLE MONTHS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM COMES UP. EVERY MECHANIC THAT TOUCHES THIS CAR, SAID THE SAME THING TO CHECK UP THE RECALL STATUS. BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY ISSUES WITH IT, AND THE MILEAGE IS LOW. SO THERE IS A FAULTY PARTS, THAT KEEP BRAKING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND I HAVE BEEN CALLING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AT LEAST 4 TIMES SINCE DECEMBER. BRAND NEW TIRES AND BRAKES WERE INSTALLED AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11309769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Nissan Maxima Miami, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

NISSAN IN THE 2020 MAXIMA MODELS REMOVED THE LOCKING FEATURE OF THE GAS CAP DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR POSSIBLE VANDALISM TO THE VEHICLE A PERSONAL SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IS A KEYED LOCKING CAP IS INSTALLED THE INDIVIDUAL HAS TO FUMBLE THROUGH UNLOCKING THE CAP IN ORDER TO FILL THE TANK. NEITHER THE SALES PERSON OR SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL KNEW THIS FEATURE HAD BEEN REMOVED IN THE 2020 MODEL. IT'S AVAILABLE IN THE 2019 MAXIMA MODELS. THE REMOVAL OF THIS FEATURE, EVEN THOUGH ITS STANDARD ON MOST VEHICLES SOLD IN NORTH AMERICA SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCLOSED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. FURTHER, THE FACT THAT NEITHER THE SALES PERSON AT THE DEALER, SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL OR MANAGEMENT AT THE DEALER KNEW ABOUT THIS, SHOWS THAT NISSAN PURPOSELY WITHHELD THIS INFORMATION FROM THE CONSUMERS. HAD I KNOWN THIS FEATURE WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, EVEN THOUGH IT'S STILL AVAILABLE IN LESS EXPENSIVE MODELS IN THE NISSAN BRAND, I MAY HAVE OPTED TO PURCHASE A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. NISSAN MARKETS IT PRODUCTS AS BEING OVERLY SAFE, HOW DOES THE REMOVAL OF THIS KEY FEATURE MAKE THE NISSAN AS SAFE AS NISSAN MARKET THEIR PRODUCTS? THE REMOVAL OF THIS FEATURE MAKES THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PERSON FUELING THE VEHICLE QUESTIONABLE!

NHTSA complaint #11296820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Nissan Maxima Lakeland, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I HAVE AN OBD READING OF P0171 P0174 P219B AFTER I CHANGED THE BATTERY ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #11270065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Nissan Maxima Costa Mesa, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THIS ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT, HAS BEEN CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES BY MY DEALER AND DOES NOT SHOW UP IN ANY ERRORS. THE CAR WILL STALL AT RANDOM TIMES. IT STARTED OUT MOSTLY WHEN I STOPPED ACCELERATING, EITHER WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR TURNING A CORNER. OCCASIONALLY WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING. USUALLY IT IS VERY BRIEF BUT OCCASIONALLY TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO RE ENGAGE. ONLY ONCE ON THE FREEWAY BUT PRIMARILY ON CITY STREETS. I AM REPORTING THIS TODAY BUT IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY SAVE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE SINCE MAY 2018.

NHTSA complaint #11222963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Nissan Maxima at 100,000 miles Chesapeake, VA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND LOST OF POWER WITHOUT NOTICE THEN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION

NHTSA complaint #11221120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Nissan Maxima at 68,500 miles Orange Park, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ON APRIL 26, 2019 WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE AS I ENTERED INTO TRAFFIC AND INSTEAD LOST POWER AND WOULD GO NO MORE THAN 9 MPH AS I APPLIED MAXIMUM PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL. AT THE SAME TIME THE CAR BECAME HARD TO STEER AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT. THE CAR STARTED BUT WITHOUT POWER TO ACCELERATE AND I SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AGAIN. I WAITED AND RESTARTED A FEW MORE TIMES AND IT EVENTUALLY RESTARTED. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND THEY PERFORMED A RECALL. THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN ON MAY 9, 2019 AND AGAIN ON MAY 17, 2019. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOSES THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WHILE AND HAS SO LITTLE POWER THAT THE MAX SPEED IS LESS THEN 10MPH. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS IN MOTION HAPPENS.

NHTSA complaint #11209611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Nissan Maxima EL Paso, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CAR STARTS BUT DIES DOWN AFTER A FEW MILES

NHTSA complaint #11209373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Nissan Maxima problems