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 car did not slow. The brakes were not working properly and caused the 2011 Nissan maxima to collide with a fixed object.…
2011 Nissan Maxima electrical problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 11 electrical complaints filed for the 2011 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
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Multiple owners report electrical gremlins including battery drain, door lock failures, and power loss while driving. These problems persist even after parts replacement and can compromise vehicle safety and driveability.
Owners of 2011 Nissan Maximas report a pattern of intermittent electrical failures. The most common complaint is battery discharge—the battery drains completely while the vehicle is parked or driving, forcing owners to jump-start the car. One owner replaced the battery and had the alternator tested (both reported fine), but the vehicle still loses power, hesitates during turns, and the brake and battery warning lights come on together. Another owner's car goes dead even when turned off and parked, requiring a three-minute charge to recover; this has happened multiple times.
Door lock actuators fail repeatedly. One owner replaced one actuator and now has two more non-functional, frustrated that they keep breaking. Another reports the driver's side door won't lock via remote and the fuel door cap is affected.
Additional failures include a passenger-side brake light that keeps failing despite bulb replacement, an intermittently noisy starter motor with correlating check-engine lights, a key lock security feature that traps the ignition key inside the vehicle, and a backup camera that cuts out unpredictably. One complaint narrative describes a collision scenario where multiple systems—steering response, brakes, and airbag deployment—either failed or behaved unexpectedly, though that account lacks clear electrical diagnosis.
Same Nissan Maxima electrical reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Battery discharge and power loss
Vehicle battery drains completely while parked or in operation, leaving owner stranded. Battery warning light and brake light illuminate together. Alternator tests normal but issue recurs after battery replacement. Some owners report the car goes dead even when turned off and parked, requiring external jump-start.
When: 16,000 miles and beyond; recurring multiple times over vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Battery warning light and brake light come on simultaneously; Car loses power while driving, hesitates or stalls during acceleration or turning; Vehicle goes completely dead while parked with key light blinking; Loss of all electrical function until external charge applied
Codes mentioned: P0011
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement performed; alternator checked and reported as functioning properly. Issue persists after repair.
Door lock actuator failure
Door lock actuators fail intermittently or completely, preventing doors from locking or unlocking. Driver reports multiple actuator failures requiring replacement. Remote locking feature does not respond on driver's side door.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; multiple failures in sequence
Symptoms owners cite: Door does not lock or unlock from remote; Driver's door not responding to remote lock/unlock command; Fuel door cap affected by door lock malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: One door actuator replaced; owner reports two additional actuators now non-functional and asking why they keep breaking.
Brake light failure
Brake light bulb replacement did not resolve recurring passenger-side brake light failures. Light continues to fail after dealer service.
When: At 50,000 miles; current mileage 75,567
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger-side brake light failure recurring
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced brake light bulb; failure persists.
Starter motor failure
Starter motor fails intermittently, producing noise both when vehicle is stationary and in motion. Check engine light appears intermittently in correlation.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Starter produces noise when stationary and in motion; Intermittent on-and-off starter operation; Check engine light intermittent
Repairs/costs cited: Starter failure diagnosed and confirmed.
Key locking security feature failure
Ignition key lock security feature malfunctions, trapping the key inside the vehicle. Independent mechanic required to unlock the door for access.
When: Approximately 16,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Key locking security feature fails to operate; Key trapped inside vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic unlocked door for access.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of problem.
Backup camera intermittent failure
Backup camera stops working intermittently, affecting visibility when reversing. Function returns unpredictably.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Camera not working when backing into garage; Camera failure recurring the next day; Function comes and goes intermittently
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Nissan altima. The contact stated that the passenger's side brake light failed several times. The dealer replaced the brake light bulb however the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 75,567.
Car periodically goes completely dead even when it is turned off and in park position . Key light keeps on blinking and eventually nothing works. I have to get another car to recharge the battery for at least 3 min. This is the 3rd occurrence and second battery. Brought the car brand new. *tr
I noticed the camera not working when I was backing into my garage after work. Then again the next day when I was backing into my parking space at work. It comes and go now. I'm not sure why it started.
Starter motor failure. Intermittent on and off. Failing starter produces noise when stationary and in motion. Check engine light is intermittent. Diagnosed and confirmed failure in starter.
Had electrical trouble with your 2011 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 electrical problem on the 2011 Nissan Maxima?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 81,143 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2011/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.