2011 Nissan Maxima problems
The 2011 Nissan Maxima has 106 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2011 Nissan Maxima has 106 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 22 complaints, typically surfacing around 39,099 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Maxima | 78 | 0 |
| 2009 Maxima | 339 | 0 |
| 2010 Maxima | 275 | 0 |
| 2011 Maxima (this page) | 106 | 0 |
| 2012 Maxima | 107 | 0 |
| 2013 Maxima | 62 | 0 |
| 2014 Maxima | 95 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2011 Nissan Maxima 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2011 Nissan Maxima? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- airbags — 22 owner reports · tends to show around 39,099 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- powertrain — 19 owner reports · tends to show around 87,153 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 81,143 mi · ~$850 to fix
- steering — 9 owner reports · tends to show around 65,925 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 39,099 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2011 Nissan Maxima
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The vehicle was in motion. While turning steering wheel slightly left entering into a curve, the 4 tires of the vehicle did not follow the command given by the steering wheel. Please note that the steering wheel turned with great ease. While removing foot from accelerator, the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Nissan maxima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized. In addition, the vehicle stalled as all the warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not…
Steering locked..car will not start. I have to paying for getting the car towed to the dealership. Luckily, I am under 36,000 miles so covered by warranty but will not cover expense for towing the car. I read this is very common issue with Nissan maxima and feel that company…
The car has a push button start and could not be turned-off. All emergency procedures in the manual were followed and the car could not be turned-off. The deal actually let the car run until it ran out of gas. There was no evidence there was any issue with the car until I went…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2011 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 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.
Should you avoid the 2011 Nissan Maxima?
On the NHTSA data, the 2011 Nissan Maxima does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2011 Nissan Maxima?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 22 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 39,099 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2011 Nissan Maxima a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 106 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 39,099 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Nissan Maxima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 22 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 39,099 miles. 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. Typical failure occurs around 39,099 miles. 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 2011 Nissan Maxima?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 106 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 are not always better value.