2012 Nissan Maxima problems
The 2012 Nissan Maxima has 107 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2012 Nissan Maxima has 107 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 25 complaints, typically surfacing around 34,698 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Maxima | 339 | 1 |
| 2010 Maxima | 275 | 1 |
| 2011 Maxima | 106 | 0 |
| 2012 Maxima (this page) | 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 4 / 5 overall
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: 2012 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 2012 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 — 25 owner reports · tends to show around 34,698 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- electrical — 18 owner reports · tends to show around 66,716 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 18 owner reports · tends to show around 91,081 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- steering — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 50,608 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 34,698 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 2012 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 7 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2012 Nissan Maxima
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~31,301 miairbags~$1,100
- ~42,950 misteering~$700
- ~57,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~90,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
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
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.
2012 maxima's passenger airbag off light comes on with adult passengers every 3rd or 4th trip. Went to Nissan dealership, maxima under warranty, they said no codes were tripped and that they can't fix the problem but are aware of it. They also gave me a handout describing the…
I picked my car up from the dealership after getting a state inspection, oil change and tire rotation. They said they topped off all the fluids. As I backed out of the parking space and pulled forward I noticed the steering wheel was tight. I tried adjusting it a few times,…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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.
Should you avoid the 2012 Nissan Maxima?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 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 2012 Nissan Maxima?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 25 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 34,698 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 2012 Nissan Maxima a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 107 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 34,698 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 2012 Nissan Maxima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 25 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 34,698 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 34,698 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 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 are not always better value.