2013 Nissan Maxima problems
The 2013 Nissan Maxima has 62 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2013 Nissan Maxima has 62 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 24 complaints, typically surfacing around 102,510 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Maxima | 275 | 0 |
| 2011 Maxima | 106 | 0 |
| 2012 Maxima | 107 | 0 |
| 2013 Maxima (this page) | 62 | 0 |
| 2014 Maxima | 95 | 0 |
| 2016 Maxima | 142 | 2 |
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 8.0/10 — 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.
Buying a used 2013 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
- powertrain — 24 owner reports · tends to show around 102,510 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- airbags — 16 owner reports · tends to show around 17,766 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- lighting — 9 owner reports · tends to show around 75,200 mi · ~$250 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 17,766 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: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — 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 2013 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 3 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I have a 2013 Nissan Maxima in my headlights are horrible when they are on dim you cannot see in front of you so bad that it's liable to cause a bad wreck I have to ride with my headlights on bright and it's not much better I have replaced the bulbs in both headlights twice it…
My car all of a sudden stopped on it's own while driving on the expressway. I didn't press the brake pedal or anything. I had to get out of my car in the middle of traffic & wait on a tow. The mechanic shop said that it was very dangerous for the car to do that.
When an adult sits in the passenger seat (some over 200lbs) the "airbag off" light remains on. This is from starting the car, driving, until the end of the trip.
1. Both headlights on dim are so dim that you cannot drive safely, they do not project in front of the car far enough to see at night, dawn or dusk. I am concerned if other cars I meet can even see me approaching. My flashlight shines brighter and farther. I have replaced the…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 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 2013 Nissan Maxima?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 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 8.0/10 — 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 2013 Nissan Maxima?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 24 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 102,510 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 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 2013 Nissan Maxima a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 62 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 102,510 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 2013 Nissan Maxima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 24 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 102,510 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 102,510 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 2013 Nissan Maxima?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 62 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, 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.