Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Nissan maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with an automatic start button, which the contact believed caused the vehicle to stall. In addition, while shifting into drive the vehicle stalled. The manufacturer was contacted and was investigating the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 10,245.
2012 Nissan Maxima engine problems
severe 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 5 engine complaints filed for the 2012 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 engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The contact owned a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that after returning from lunch and parking the vehicle at work, almost three hours later he was informed by someone that the vehicle was on fire. The contact walked outside and saw the engine compartment in flames. The contact stated that the engine compartment was completely burned. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Nissan maxima. While driving various speeds, the contact noticed an abnormal smell of antifreeze coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 33,000.
Had engine trouble with your 2012 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 engine problem on the 2012 Nissan Maxima?
It's a meaningful issue. 5 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 90,061 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2012/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.