Nissan Maxima Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 2,384 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Nissan Maxima across 25 model years. The 2004 model year has the most (934). The words owners use most often: “1st 2nd” (13% of reports).
- 2,384power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 38mention a crash
- 20mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $5,050typical repair cost reported by owners
- 14%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- 1ST 2ND: mentioned in 313 of 2,384 complaints (13%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Nissan Maxima at $5,050, and half of them between $3,500 and $6,100.
Based on 213 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2005–2024), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 2,048 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,384 complaints, 38 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 20 an injury.
Nissan Maxima power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Maxima | 3 | 14% | 64,500 |
| 2019 Maxima | 3 | 17% | 19,000 |
| 2018 Maxima | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2017 Maxima | 11 | 10% | 61,000 |
| 2016 Maxima | 33 | 23% | 62,500 |
| 2014 Maxima | 22 | 23% | 73,500 |
| 2013 Maxima | 24 | 39% | 105,544 |
| 2012 Maxima | 18 | 17% | 90,000 |
| 2011 Maxima | 22 | 21% | 95,000 |
| 2010 Maxima | 15 | 5% | 96,500 |
| 2009 Maxima | 11 | 3% | 116,500 |
| 2008 Maxima | 8 | 10% | 89,000 |
| 2007 Maxima | 16 | 12% | 90,750 |
| 2006 Maxima | 393 | 68% | 85,500 |
| 2005 Maxima | 777 | 82% | 85,000 |
| 2004 Maxima | 934 | 65% | 84,000 |
| 2003 Maxima | 7 | 3% | 64,250 |
| 2002 Maxima | 14 | 7% | 42,450 |
| 2001 Maxima | 8 | 5% | 60,000 |
| 2000 Maxima | 22 | 6% | 97,000 |
| 1999 Maxima | 8 | 5% | 95,150 |
| 1998 Maxima | 6 | 5% | 82,229 |
| 1997 Maxima | 4 | 4% | 110,446 |
| 1996 Maxima | 12 | 13% | 48,000 |
| 1995 Maxima | 12 | 8% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train
Model years: 2002
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a traction control system, the odometer in the subject vehicles registers distance in kilometers instead of miles as is specified in the design. The odometer does not have a label that indicates "kilometers" or "km" as required by fmvss no. 101, "controls and displays."
Fix: Dealers will inspect the odometer to determine if it is correct and, if not, will replace the speedometer/odometer assembly. Owner notification began december 12, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The transmission would begin slipping and causing power loss after driving it for more than 20 minutes causing it to slow down rapidly especially on hills
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to park and turn off the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to shift into park, the STOP button failed to respond, and the vehicle suddenly accelerated, crashed into a tree in the median strip, knocked…
The vehicle experienced a noâstart condition and was towed to a dealership. The dealership performed major engine and timing repairs without authorization and kept the vehicle for nearly four months. After the repairs, the vehicle still cranks but will not start, requires jumpâstarts, and now…
My vehicle repeatedly loses acceleration/motive power while driving. When I press the accelerator, the pedal may go down but the vehicle does not respond normally and begins to decelerate unexpectedly. This can happen even at low speeds, including around 20 mph, and creates a serious safety risk…
I had my car being repaired for a car accident I had on [XXX]. A piece of tire on the highway [XXX] went underneath the middle frame of my car. I picked up the car from the repair shop here in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, [XXX]. Beginning on the same day, I had a "check engine" light appear on my…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Nissan Maximas have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,384 owner complaints about power train for the Nissan Maxima. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Nissan Maxima power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Nissan Maxima?
Owners report a typical cost of $5,050 (half paid between $3,500 and $6,100), from 213 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Nissan Maxima?
The most frequent phrase is “1st 2nd”, in 313 of 2,384 complaints.
Other Nissan Maxima problems
- Electrical System problems (794)
- Steering problems (502)
- Air Bags problems (469)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (435)
- Engine problems (374)
- Suspension problems (321)
- Structure problems (315)
- Tires problems (243)
See all Nissan Maxima problems.