Nissan Maxima 2016–2023 problems by year and mileage
8th generation (A36)
NHTSA data through 18 October 2026333 complaints, 155 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
- 201640k†median
- 201728k†median
- 2018—too few
- 2019—too few
- 2020—too few
- 2021—too few
- 2022—too few
- 2023—too few
The 2016 Nissan Maxima
Close- Median failure report
- 40,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 142
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2016
- Transmission and driveline33 reports
- Electrical system31 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise27 reports
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Air bags — sensor · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2017 Nissan Maxima
Close- Median failure report
- 28,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 106
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2017
- Problems owners could not categorise28 reports
- Airbag system18 reports
- Body structure17 reports
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Air bags — sensor
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2018 Nissan Maxima
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 36
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2018
- Problems owners could not categorise8 reports
- Brakes7 reports
- Forward collision avoidance6 reports
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Back over prevention — sensing system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2019 Nissan Maxima
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 18
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2019
- Problems owners could not categorise5 reports
- Engine4 reports
- Transmission and driveline3 reports
Recall areas Back over prevention — sensing system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2020 Nissan Maxima
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 22
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2020
- Forward collision avoidance4 reports
- Body structure4 reports
- Transmission and driveline3 reports
Recall areas Visibility — glass, side/rear
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2021 Nissan Maxima
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 3
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2021
- Electrical system1 report
- Engine and its cooling system1 report
- Body structure1 report
The 2022 Nissan Maxima
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 5
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2022
- Problems owners could not categorise2 reports
- Engine1 report
- Exterior lighting1 report
The 2023 Nissan Maxima
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 1
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2023
- Electrical system1 report
- Equipment1 report
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2016; earliest: the 2017, and the 2016 is 1 year older (part of the gap is age). 6 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2016–2023 Nissan Maxima reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 30,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 90,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 155
- Recalls
- 10
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Problems owners could not categorise21.9% of complaints · median 30,000 mi
- Electrical system15.9% of complaints · median 43,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline15.3% of complaints · median 60,000 mi
Owners filed 333 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016–2023 Nissan Maxima; problems owners could not categorise leads with 21.9% of them, and half of the 155 that record an odometer reading came by 30,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
29% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 1.2 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2016–2023 Nissan Maxima last?
On the 2016–2023 Nissan Maxima, half of the 155 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 30,000 miles and 90% by 90,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
1 report came in past 150,000 miles — each one proof that a Maxima reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Nissan Maxima 2016–2023 · 155 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
20,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 61 complaints
- First 12,000 miles — 29% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 10%
- 1,500
- 25%
- 8,500
- Median
- 30,000
- 75%
- 59,000
- 90%
- 90,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20,000 | 61 | 39.4% |
| 20,000–40,000 | 32 | 20.6% |
| 40,000–60,000 | 24 | 15.5% |
| 60,000–80,000 | 16 | 10.3% |
| 80,000–100,000 | 10 | 6.5% |
| 100,000–120,000 | 9 | 5.8% |
| 120,000–140,000 | 2 | 1.3% |
| 160,000–180,000 | 1 | 0.6% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Maxima problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Nissan Maxima 2016–2023
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Brakes42 reportsmedian 20,000middle half 9,000–30,000
- Airbag system35 reportsmedian 25,000middle half 16,000–39,000
- Problems owners could not categorise73 reportsmedian 30,000middle half 5,500–47,000
- Engine33 reportsmedian 36,000middle half 13,000–60,000
- Body structure35 reportsmedian 39,000middle half 3,000–60,000
- Electrical system53 reportsmedian 43,000middle half 14,000–80,000
- Transmission and driveline51 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 19,000–100,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Problems owners could not categorise | 73 | 21.9% | 30,000 | 5,500–47,000 |
| Electrical system | 53 | 15.9% | 43,000 | 14,000–80,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 51 | 15.3% | 60,000 | 19,000–100,000 |
| Brakes | 42 | 12.6% | 20,000 | 9,000–30,000 |
| Airbag system | 35 | 10.5% | 25,000 | 16,000–39,000 |
| Body structure | 35 | 10.5% | 39,000 | 3,000–60,000 |
| Engine | 33 | 9.9% | 36,000 | 13,000–60,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 23 | 6.9% | — | — |
| Throttle and speed control | 21 | 6.3% | 38,000 | 28,000–74,000 |
| Steering | 15 | 4.5% | — | — |
Known problems with the 2016–2023 Maxima
Transmission 2016–2023
Continued Xtronic CVT durability complaints — judder, shudder under light throttle, whine and loss of forward motion — though at lower reported rates than the A35 after cooling and control-software revisions.
Body
Panoramic moonroof glass shattering and water intrusion complaints.
Before you buy a 2016–2023 Maxima: the 3-minute check
Generated from 155 mileage-tagged complaints, 10 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 10 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check transmission on 2016–2023 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check body.
- Years differ here: from 1 to 142 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Maxima problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi75% below | At 90k mi90% below | At 120k mi98% below | At 150k mi99% below | At 200k mi100% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Problems owners could not categorise | 5,500–47,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 14,000–80,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 19,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 9,000–30,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 16,000–39,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 3,000–60,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 13,000–60,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Nissan Maxima 2016–2023 · 155 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 75% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2016–2023 Nissan Maxima recalls (10)
NHTSA records 10 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
2 of these carry a severe advisory — do not drive or park outside; check those first by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the hydraulic brake circuit (5), the airbag system (2), visibility equipment (1) (why one area can repeat).
Sep 2020 · 2020 · VisibilityRear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.
What can happen. Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's…
Nov 2019 · 2016–2018 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideA brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not…
What can happen. A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer…
Sep 2019 · 2018–2019 · Back Over PreventionThe lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti…
What can happen. The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners…
Sep 2018 · 2016–2017 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideA brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Nissan Murano, 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal…
What can happen. A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan…
Dec 2016 · 2016 · Air BagsIf the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima vehicles manufactured January 3, 2013, to July 29, 2013, 2015-2016 Rogue vehicles manufactured October 14, 2014, to August 12, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured…
What can happen. If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at…
Sep 2016 · 2016–2017 · Service Brakes, HydraulicA brake fluid leak onto the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 19, 2016 and equipped with Intelligent Cruise Control, 2015-2017 Murano vehicles manufactured August 22, 2014, to…
What can happen. A brake fluid leak onto the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS Actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at…
Apr 2016 · 2016–2017 · Air BagsIf the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and…
What can happen. If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
The free fix. Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in…
Apr 2016 · 2016 · Service Brakes, HydraulicInsufficient brake fluid pressure may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016 Murano vehicles manufactured December 17, 2015, to February 11, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to February 12, 2016 and equipped with an antilock braking…
What can happen. Insufficient brake fluid pressure may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ABS actuator, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 16, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at…
Nov 2015 · 2016 · Service Brakes, HydraulicIf the bolts were not properly tightened, the caliper may detach and reduce braking ability, increasing the…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2015 Altima and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured October 6, 2015, to October 7, 2015. The affected vehicles have front brake calipers whose mounting bolts may not be properly tightened.
What can happen. If the bolts were not properly tightened, the caliper may detach and reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will check the brake caliper mounting bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan…
Aug 2015 · 2016 · Fuel System, GasolineIf fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the agency on July 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 18, 2015. On October 14, 2015, Nissan expanded the recall to cover an…
What can happen. If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit. The recall began on September 28, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 333 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 25 (7.5%)
- Fires
- 9
- Injury reports
- 18
- Fatality reports
- 0
Maxima problems by model year
The 2016 drew the most complaints of this generation, 142, most of them about the transmission and driveline, and the 2020 the fewest among the 4 years with at least 20 complaints, 22. A typical year drew about 71.
The first year of the generation, 2016, drew more complaints than a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 142 | 73 | 40,000† | Transmission and driveline (33) | 8 |
| 2017 | 106 | 44 | 28,000† | Problems owners could not categorise (28) | 4 |
| 2018 | 36 | 22 | under 30 reports | Problems owners could not categorise (8) | 2 |
| 2019 | 18 | 6 | under 30 reports | Problems owners could not categorise (5) | 1 |
| 2020 | 22 | 7 | under 30 reports | Forward collision avoidance (4) | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 | 2 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (1) | 0 |
| 2022 | 5 | 1 | under 30 reports | Problems owners could not categorise (2) | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (1) | 0 |
What Maxima owners reported
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 down three poles, and…
2020 · 23,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle jerked before stalling in the middle of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The Police were called to block traffic. The vehicle was towed. The tow truck…
2020 · 106,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly. The vehicle was shifted into neutral, and the RPMs revved up. The vehicle failed to move forward and shut off unintendedly. Several hours later, the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was…
2016 · 100,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the instrument panel was intermittently dim upon starting the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving the instrument panel eventually brightened before returning to a dim setting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions however, the…
2018 · 8,500 miles · Electrical system
Built from 155 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Maxima generations
- Maxima 1995–1999 187 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Maxima 2000–2003 623 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Maxima 2004–2008 2,679 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Maxima 2009–2014 778 reports with mileage, most about the steering