2014 Nissan Maxima problems
The 2014 Nissan Maxima has 95 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2014 Nissan Maxima has 95 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 21 complaints, typically surfacing around 38,736 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Maxima | 106 | 0 |
| 2012 Maxima | 107 | 0 |
| 2013 Maxima | 62 | 0 |
| 2014 Maxima (this page) | 95 | 0 |
| 2016 Maxima | 142 | 2 |
| 2017 Maxima | 102 | 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: 2014 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 2014 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 — 21 owner reports · tends to show around 38,736 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- powertrain — 20 owner reports · tends to show around 66,080 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- lighting — 17 owner reports · tends to show around 93,030 mi · ~$250 to fix
- electrical — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 58,421 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 38,736 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 2014 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 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2014 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.
- ~36,756 miairbags~$1,100
- ~70,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~90,000 milighting~$250
"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
Nissan CVT transmission on 12/05/2018, about 10:00am- took my vehicle in for oil change and vibrating and shaking of car. Paid about $350.00 for oil change and transmission flush and change (which the service dept. Said I needed for transmission). That same day about 5:00pm…
The driver side seat belt is stuck for some reason and I cannot adjust the lock part to fasten or wear my seatbelt which mean I can't follow texas seat belt law and could be hurt or killed due to this issue. I have not done anything that would have created this issue so I am…
My car transmission is unstable. I have a 2014 Nissan maxima with 88k miles and check engine soon sensor came up. My car on streets was not shifting properly and eventually would stall. Ran diagnostic, p1778 code for transmission step motor replacement. Replaced this part and…
My brake have to be pumped before my car stops. Brake resistor is full. No squeaks etc.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2014 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 95 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 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 2014 Nissan Maxima?
On the NHTSA data, the 2014 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 2014 Nissan Maxima?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 21 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 38,736 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 2014 Nissan Maxima a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 95 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 38,736 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 2014 Nissan Maxima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 21 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 38,736 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 38,736 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 2014 Nissan Maxima?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 95 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.