Nissan Maxima problems
0 safety recalls. 78 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM. HE NOTICED THAT THE INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND NO FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE TIRES…
VEHICLE HESITATES TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION DURING ACCELERATION. MOST NOTICEABLE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS GOING UP AN HILL. THE TRANSMISSION PRODUCE A WHINING SOUND IF THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO INCREASE THE ACCELERATION. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT JUST BELOW 33,000 MILES BY THE…
I WAS BACKING THE CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CAR STOPPED MOVING IN REVERSE AND MOVED FORWARD. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR I ATTEMPTED TO BACK IT AGAIN WITH THE SAME RESULTS ONLY THE CAR MOVED FORWARD ENOUGH TO HIT MY FENCE CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER SIDE BUMPER. I…
HAVE A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA AND JUST FOUND OUT I NEED A TRANSMISSION AFTER ONLY HAVING IT 2YRS ..DEALER NEVER TOLD ME THAT IT HAD A PROBLEM WHEN HE SOLD TO ME HAD I KNOWN NISSAN HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL I WOULD NEVER HAD PURCHASE IT...I NEED A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSON AND FOR…
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Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2008 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Nissan Maxima is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Nissan Maxima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 20 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Maxima has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Nissan Maxima?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 78 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.