2017 Nissan Maxima problems
The 2017 Nissan Maxima has 102 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2017 Nissan Maxima has 102 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 16 complaints, typically surfacing around 28,798 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Maxima | 95 | 0 |
| 2016 Maxima | 142 | 2 |
| 2017 Maxima (this page) | 102 | 0 |
| 2018 Maxima | 36 | 0 |
| 2019 Maxima | 18 | 0 |
| 2020 Maxima | 21 | 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 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2017 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 2017 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 — 16 owner reports · tends to show around 28,798 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- body — 13 owner reports · tends to show around 33,278 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
- powertrain — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 61,000 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 62,200 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 28,798 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 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 2017 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
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The transmission just stops shifting out of nowhere and has had a transmission judder code since ive owned it. The transmission shakes at acceleration about 90% of the time.
About two years ago, the driver airbag light came on and has been on. We took the car to Hudson Nissan in Charleston, SC to have it repaired and were informed that we would have to replace the entire seat to replace the sensor to the tune of about $4500.00. Based on a lot of…
I was driving on the highway and the passenger side front pillar trim panel just flew off. This is the second time this has happened to my vehicle, the first time was my rear pillar which I paid to replace myself because I was told at the dealership this is just a cosmetic…
Takata recall, my tires keep popping and this isnt normal. This is the 4th time this year I have to change the wheels. Not only that but the tire pressure keeps constantly going low every day.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2017 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 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 2017 Nissan Maxima?
On the NHTSA data, the 2017 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 2017 Nissan Maxima?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 16 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 28,798 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 2017 Nissan Maxima a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 102 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 28,798 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 2017 Nissan Maxima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 16 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 28,798 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 28,798 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 2017 Nissan Maxima?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 102 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.