nissan Maxima problems
0 safety recalls. 107 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 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Passenger airbag notifi action blinks and will not show it is activated to function in a crash. Airbag has never worked. Also driver seat belt keeps releasing without being pushed to open. Seat belt issue just began Dec 2023
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THIS MORNING, THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF ON MY 2012 NISSAN MAXIMA SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED AND SHATTERED. HAD THE SUNROOF BEEN OPEN, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO ME PERSONALLY, MY UNBORN CHILD (7 MONTHS PREGNANT), AND OTHERS DRIVING AROUND ME…
ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND I HEARD A LOUD BOOM. I PULLED OFF AND SAW THAT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUNROOF WITH THE EDGES OF THE GLASS RAISED UPWARD. THE REMAINING GLASS WAS…
VEHICLE HAS 50,300 MILES WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON. NISSAN SAYS THAT THE INTERANAL FAILURE TO AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT.PART NUMBER 98820-9N092 WAS REPLACED FOR PART PRICE OF $463.15. LABOR TO INSTALL WAS ALSO $463.15.
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Common questions
Is the 2012 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 107 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 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 2012 Nissan Maxima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 25 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 2012 Nissan Maxima?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 107 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.