2018 Nissan Maxima problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 36 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2018 Nissan Maxima has 36 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 5 complaints, typically surfacing around 30,508 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Maxima | 142 | 2 |
| 2017 Maxima | 102 | 0 |
| 2018 Maxima (this page) | 36 | 0 |
| 2019 Maxima | 18 | 0 |
| 2020 Maxima | 21 | 0 |
| 2021 Maxima | 3 | 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 8.2/10 — 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: Standard · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2018 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 2018 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
- brakes — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 30,508 mi · ~$450 to fix
- electrical — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 30,729 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 30,508 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: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is electrical (~$850) — 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 2018 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 2 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I bought this car for may wife and long trips. It was rated satisfactory by consumers report. I received a recall from Nissan that the car could leak brake fluid and catch fire. They will not be able to fix it until summer of 2020. In the mean time if the ABS light comes on I…
When driving a error message on the front radar randomly appears. It says "unavailable front radar obstruction" and affects the adaptive cruise control. This error is happening even in clear road conditions and for no reason. Other people are reporting same error message for…
The contact owned a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, he became unconscious behind the wheel due to medication. The contact crashed into another vehicle however the air bags did not deploy causing his face to hit the steering wheel. The contact…
360 cameras have stopped working on my vehicle. I've seen where there was a recall on the same thing, but my vehicle is not coming up in the recall. I did buy the car used, but not being able to use the cameras is definitely a safety issue.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2018 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 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 2018 Nissan Maxima?
On the NHTSA data, the 2018 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 8.2/10 — 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 2018 Nissan Maxima?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 5 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 30,508 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 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 2018 Nissan Maxima a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 36 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 30,508 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 2018 Nissan Maxima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 5 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 30,508 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 30,508 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 2018 Nissan Maxima?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 36 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, 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.