CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Nissan Maxima powertrain problems
severe 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
3crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 20 powertrain complaints filed for the 2014 Nissan Maxima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
Powertrain accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 8 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗IF YOU CONFIRM: Customers concern of a "clicking" noise coming from either left or right front/rear CV-type axles during take-off/acceleration. ACTION: Apply Molykote M77 grease (P/N 44003-7S000) to the hub bearing surfaces. NOTE: * Do not remove the axle from the hub or transmission for this bulletin * Refer to the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) for model specific torque specifications. - For 2007-2013 Versa and 2013 LEAF vehicles, see the Service Procedure torque specifications on page 4. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when actually, it?s not. Use this service bulletin to help make a more accurate diagnosis of the steering rack. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Nissan Maxima CVT transmission shows a clear pattern of failure across multiple failure modes. Owners report sudden loss of drive or downshift into lower gears at highway speeds, causing power loss of 30 mph or more and dangerous situations when attempting to change lanes or accelerate through intersections. Engine stalling without warning occurs on highways and ramps, leaving owners stranded and creating collision hazards. Transmission hesitation and jerking plague the vehicle from a dead stop through steady-state driving; one owner's pedal became unresponsive then suddenly re-engaged during a near-accident scenario.
Failures cluster between 50,000 and 106,000 miles, though one case appeared at just 1,458 miles. Diagnostic trouble codes P1778 (transmission step motor) and P0746 (line solenoid performance) appear in narratives. Owners paid $200–$350 for fluid service that didn't resolve issues, then faced $5,000–$7,000 bills for complete transmission replacement.
Nissan has issued recalls for CVT problems in the Altima and Murano but not the Maxima, claiming the Maxima transmission is "beefier" despite identical internal components. One owner notes Nissan reduced powertrain warranty from 100,000 miles to 60,000 miles for affected model years, then restored it for later models. Owners report the dealer network is aware of widespread issues but cannot force manufacturer response.
Same Nissan Maxima powertrain reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
CVT Transmission Loss of Drive / Downshift into Lower Gear
CVT transmission unexpectedly drops into a lower gear or loses drive entirely while operating at highway speeds, causing dramatic loss of power and high engine revving. Owners report power loss of 30+ mph in some cases, making lane changes hazardous.
When: 50,400 to 106,000 miles; some reports as early as 1,458 miles
Symptoms owners cite: sudden loss of power; transmission stuck in lower gear; high engine rpm with loss of speed; difficulty changing lanes; vehicle slows dramatically
Codes mentioned: P1778 (transmission step motor), P0746 (line solenoid performance)
Repairs/costs cited: $5,000–$7,000 for new CVT transmission; one owner paid $350 for transmission flush before failure; Nissan partial-coverage offer of 80% of repair cost cited
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for 2014 Maxima CVT; Nissan acknowledged issue to one complainant but refused coverage. Nissan has recalled CVT for Altima and Murano but not Maxima. One owner received Nissan coverage for 80% of transmission cost after warranty expiration.
Transmission Shift / Acceleration Hesitation and Jerking
Transmission hesitates when accelerating from a stop or at constant speeds, accompanied by jerking or shaking. Delayed power delivery and erratic shift behavior create unsafe situations when merging or crossing intersections.
When: 50,400 to 101,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: delayed acceleration from stop; jerking at constant speed; hesitation when pedal depressed; pedal unresponsiveness then sudden re-engagement; shaking and vibration
Codes mentioned: multiple transmission codes detected in one case
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid service ($200–$350) did not resolve issues; new transmission required
Transmission Stalling / Loss of Engine Power
Engine stalls without warning during driving, including on highways and high-speed ramps. Vehicle becomes immobile and unresponsive to starter attempts. One incident resulted in secondary collision when stalled on highway on-ramp.
When: Various; one incident at 1,458 miles
Symptoms owners cite: engine shuts off without warning; inability to restart or get vehicle moving; electrical system remains operational while motor fails; loss of air conditioning
Repairs/costs cited: One case resulted in towing and subsequent diagnosis of transmission control module needing replacement; repair attempted but failure recurred
Cruise Control Malfunction / Surge and Lapse
Cruise control becomes inoperative or exhibits surging and sudden power lapses during use, prompting owners to stop using the feature. One owner disabled cruise control due to erratic behavior.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: cruise control stops working; cruise control surges and lapses; unresponsiveness of cruise feature
Repairs/costs cited: One owner disabled cruise control rather than pursue repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan consumer affairs acknowledged CVT issue to one owner but denied responsibility and recall coverage
Abnormal Transmission Noise
Abnormal sound emanating from transmission area during operation; one owner reported at 30 mph. No warning lights present in some cases.
When: 68,000 miles in reported case
Symptoms owners cite: abnormal sound from vehicle; no warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Owner did not pursue diagnosis or repair
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 while on the freeway my car stopped accelerating, starting shaking and I was able to pull over gradually to the side of…
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 transmission still giving issues. My car has stalled on me several times on the highway with my family in the car, very…
Driving the car stop and a light. Light turns green and the car inches through the intersection. Pedal is to the floor and nothing happens. Eventually power starts to build up and I can go,but once I get to a light it repeats itself and not power after brake is released.
While pulling into a parking space, I heard my engine racing. Immediately, I felt the car lurch forward. To avoid misapplying my foot to the gas pedal, I withdrew both my feet to the floor, next to the seat. The car continued forward at a fast rate. The car stopped going forward after it struck s building. However, the tires kept spinning, especially the front left tire. The engine ran briefly,…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2014 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 powertrain problem on the 2014 Nissan Maxima?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 50,450 and 88,440 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,450; a quarter make it past 88,440. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2014/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.