On wednesday september 19, 2007 I took my car to the dealership because the check engine light was on. As the service advisor checked me in I made him aware that my service engine light was on and my car was periodically stalling. Instead of thoroughly checking my car out, being that I explained that it wasn't running right, the advisor said there were a few transmission codes but they just reset…
2007 Nissan Maxima engine problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 19 engine complaints filed for the 2007 Nissan Maxima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 10 model years of Nissan Maxima in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 18 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Timing chain and cam shaft sensor failures are well-documented in this model year and can cause sudden stalling, putting occupants at serious risk. Nissan has not issued a recall despite a class action lawsuit and TSBs; expect to pay $1,900–$2,000 or more for timing chain repair if you buy one of these used.
Timing chain and guide failures dominate complaints in this cluster. Owners report plastic guides crack or deteriorate without warning, allowing the timing chain to jump at highway speeds, 30 MPH, or while parked. One owner's daughter was driving when the first engine failed; the second failure resulted in a piston exploding out of the block and an engine fire. Repair costs run $1,900–$2,000 for a timing chain kit, or $8,100 for full engine replacement. One owner found a TSB on file from years prior; Nissan has not issued a recall despite a class action lawsuit.
Cam shaft and crankshaft sensor failures also cause sudden stalling without warning, sometimes at 30–50 MPH with loss of power steering—a genuine safety hazard. These repairs cost around $2,000 combined with timing belt service.
An AC compressor failed prematurely on at least one vehicle; Nissan acknowledged a bad batch and halted parts supply, creating a catch-22 where owners must replace a defective part or risk cascading damage to the serpentine belt and power steering.
Early transmission misdiagnosis appears in one case—a dealership reset the computer instead of diagnosing faulty transmission or engine sensors, delaying proper repair.
Same Nissan Maxima engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Timing chain and guide failure
Plastic timing chain guides fail prematurely, allowing the timing chain to jump. Owners report the guides crack or deteriorate without warning. In severe cases, the timing chain jumps, causing bent valves and catastrophic engine damage that renders the engine undriveable. One owner reports a piston exploded out of the block and the engine caught fire.
When: Generally between 59,600 and 116,000 miles; one owner reports first engine failure on highway while daughter was driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Whining or ticking noise from engine, especially at higher RPMs; Check engine light illuminates; Engine stalls without warning while driving; Loss of power steering when stalled; In catastrophic cases: bent valves, engine shut-down, fire
Codes mentioned: Timing chain malfunction, Transmission codes (misdiagnosed initially in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain kit replacement (guides, tensioner, and chain) costs approximately $1,900–$2,000 per owner reports. One owner reports complete engine replacement at $8,100. Dealers report that Nissan has issued TSBs on this defect, though no formal recall has been issued.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class action lawsuit filed against Nissan for timing chain guide defect. One owner cites TSB on file from years ago. One owner reports Nissan refuses to cover repair under warranty or acknowledge the defect as a manufacturing issue. Nissan has not issued a recall.
Cam shaft sensor failure
Cam shaft sensor fails, causing the engine to stall suddenly while driving. Owners report multiple stalling events during normal driving. The failure occurs with little to no warning.
When: Between approximately 59,600 and 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning at low speeds (30–50 MPH); Whining noise reported by some owners; Vehicle unresponsive after stalling; multiple restart attempts required; Loss of power steering when stalled (safety hazard)
Codes mentioned: Cam shaft sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: Cam shaft sensor replacement cost approximately $2,000 when combined with timing belt service per one owner report. Another complaint mentions faulty cam shaft sensor replacement part arriving within days.
Crankshaft sensor failure
Crankshaft sensor fails, causing the engine to stall intermittently while driving. The vehicle restarts after multiple attempts.
When: Approximately 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls intermittently at approximately 35 MPH; Multiple stalling events require restart attempts; Vehicle eventually restarts
Codes mentioned: Crankshaft sensor fault
AC compressor failure
Air conditioning compressor fails prematurely. Dealers report that Nissan received a bad batch of compressors and cannot supply replacement parts. Failure of the compressor creates a secondary risk: if not replaced, the damaged compressor will fail further and damage the serpentine belt, which in turn will cause power steering failure and damage the condenser.
When: Early in vehicle ownership; one owner reports issue on relatively new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Chirping noise from engine bay; No air flow from air conditioning system; Compressor identified as defective by dealer
Repairs/costs cited: Compressor replacement cost over $1,000 per owner report. Nissan reported a bad batch of compressors with no replacement parts available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued notice of defective batch of compressors; waiting on replacement from new supplier.
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Nissan maxima. The contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
Took my 07 maxima with 73k miles to a Nissan dealer for a whining noise I thought was the transmission which is under mfg. Warranty. Was told the noise is from the timing chain guides. A repair of almost $2000.00. Now I find that there is a tsb on this from years ago. I've had this car since 2009, Nissan should have notified owners since this defect left not repaired could cause the motor to cut…
Had engine trouble with your 2007 Nissan Maxima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2007 Nissan Maxima?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 44,000 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 73,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 44,000; a quarter make it past 110,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Nissan/Maxima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.