CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Nissan Maxima powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2011 Nissan Maxima have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 98,200 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Maxima | 16 |
| 2008 Maxima | 8 |
| 2009 Maxima | 8 |
| 2010 Maxima | 11 |
| 2011 Maxima (this page) | 19 |
| 2012 Maxima | 18 |
| 2013 Maxima | 24 |
| 2014 Maxima | 20 |
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗IF YOU CONFIRM: Customers concern of a "clicking" noise coming from either left or right front/rear CV-type axles during take-off/acceleration. ACTION: Apply Molykote M77 grease (P/N 44003-7S000) to the hub bearing surfaces. NOTE: * Do not remove the axle from the hub or transmission for this bulletin * Refer to the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) for model specific torque specifications. - For 2007-2013 Versa and 2013 LEAF vehicles, see the Service Procedure torque specifications on page 4. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when actually, it?s not. Use this service bulletin to help make a more accurate diagnosis of the steering rack. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe sudden CVT transmission failure without warning, typically between 60,000 and 110,000 miles. The vehicle loses the ability to accelerate despite engine revving; some cars won't engage from a stop, others lose all motive power mid-drive. No slipping, leaking, jerking, or warning lights precede the failure—it simply stops working. Repair requires complete transmission replacement, costing $2,400 to $7,100 depending on source, with a one-year warranty only. Several owners report being 2,000–4,000 miles outside the factory powertrain warranty and were denied assistance.
One owner's transmission failed after a dealership repair for a broken transmission part; another experienced a stalled engine and transmission that would not engage. Several cite diagnostic codes P0868, P0744, and P0746 tied to transmission fluid pressure and solenoid issues.
A separate failure mode involves rear timing chain cover deterioration around 67,000 miles, causing oil pressure loss and triggering codes P0011 and P0021. This produces jerking at low speed and rough engine noise, with front and rear cover replacement running $2,400–$2,985.
Owners note that Nissan extended the powertrain warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles for identical CVT failures in 2003–2010 models but declined to cover 2011 and 2012 owners, citing a different transmission designation despite the same failure pattern. Nissan settled class-action lawsuits for other model years but not 2011–2012.
Same Nissan Maxima powertrain reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
CVT transmission failure — no warning
Complete transmission failure with no advance warning lights or symptoms. Vehicle loses power to accelerate, either stalls or refuses to engage, sometimes producing only high RPM with no ground speed. Owners report this happens suddenly and without slipping, jerking, leaking, or other precursor signs.
When: 60,000–110,000 miles; mostly 90,000–110,000
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not accelerate when prompted; Engine revs high but vehicle does not move; Speedometer reads zero while RPM climbs; Transmission will not engage from stop; No warning lights before failure; Slipping felt when transmission does respond
Codes mentioned: P0500, P0744, P0868, P1778, P0746
Repairs/costs cited: Complete CVT transmission replacement; $2,443–$7,138 depending on source. Replacement comes with 1-year warranty only on a $5,500 unit. Several owners quote $5,500 for replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan extended warranty on 2003–2010 models to 10 years/120,000 miles due to known CVT defects. 2011 model owners report Nissan denies the same defect applies, citing different transmission designation (3.5 vs. 3.0) though failure mode is identical. Nissan settled class-action lawsuits for earlier and later model years but excludes 2011–2012. Nissan stated 'it just happens' and offered no goodwill assistance to owners just outside warranty (one owner 2,053 miles over limit).
Engine timing chain cover deterioration — oil pressure loss
Rear (or front and rear) timing chain cover deteriorates, causing low oil pressure to engine. Engine control codes fire intermittently or when transmission problems appear, creating a compounding failure picture. Owner reports dealership quoted this as the cause of jerking/surge behavior at low speed.
When: 67,000 miles (5 years of ownership); also reported around 64,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light comes on intermittently; Jerking/surge-stop motion when accelerating from stop or low speed; Rough engine sound on acceleration and deceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Front and rear timing chain covers replaced; $2,400–$2,984. Dealership rep stated this repair is performed twice per month on this model. One owner noted gasket in motor mount is cardboard and breaks apart; should be silicone-based.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner was 4,000 miles out of powertrain warranty and Nissan declined assistance. Technical bulletins exist for tire pressure indicator and starting issues but owner was charged $400 for work supposedly covered under bulletin.
Transmission shift hesitation and clunking
Transmission hesitates to shift from first to second gear, accompanied by loud clunking when accelerator is pressed hard. Shift delay of 10–20 seconds even with full throttle; behavior worsens as engine runs longer.
When: Not specified by owner
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation shifting from 1st to 2nd gear; Loud clunking noise when accelerator pressed hard; Slow shift even at full throttle; 10–20 second delay before normal shift; Symptom worsens after 10 minutes of driving
Transmission belt disintegration
Transmission belt disintegrated in service, resulting in loss of drive. Vehicle exhibited shaking and hesitation while driving, then ceased to move.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Shaking and hesitation while driving; Vehicle barely moves; Loss of power
Intermittent high RPM and transmission engage delay
Engine runs at high RPM with no control of vehicle speed; transmission does not engage promptly when starting from a stop. Problem is intermittent, lasting days between episodes. Vehicle surges forward suddenly once transmission finally engages, creating safety hazard.
When: 62,053 miles; early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: High RPM with no speed response; Transmission will not move vehicle at stop signs or lights; Vehicle surges forward suddenly when transmission engages; Intermittent behavior occurring and then ceasing for days
Repairs/costs cited: Complete transmission replacement; $5,500. Owner was 2,053 miles out of warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan declined goodwill assistance despite owner's long-term relationship with dealership.
Service engine light with transmission codes — repeated failures
Check engine light illuminates with transmission-related diagnostic codes. Transmission codes reset by dealer but failure recurs within one day. Vehicle stuck in first gear or will not shift. Multiple different codes reported on repeated visits, and manufacturer provided no resolution.
When: Early in vehicle life (1,800–2,000 miles reported in one case)
Symptoms owners cite: Service engine light illuminates; Vehicle stuck in first gear or will not shift; Multiple different codes appearing on repeated scans
Codes mentioned: P0868
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan offered to install a button to record proper codes but took no corrective action. In another early case, manufacturer stated 'nothing could be done' after transmission failed and dealership could not repair it.
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Brought vehicle to repair shop because of noise. Repair shop informed me that noise comes from transmission. Did some investigation and found that Nissan has had issues with these CVT transmissions. Nissan had a recall for all years until 2010 including 2010. Not 2011. This is the same transmission that fails prematurely. I called the dealer $145 diagnostic. No guarantees that Nissan will provide…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2011 Nissan Maxima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 19 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 67,000 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 98,200. A quarter of owners report trouble before 67,000; 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.