2021 Nissan Maxima problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 3 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2021 Nissan Maxima has 3 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Maxima | 36 | 0 |
| 2019 Maxima | 18 | 0 |
| 2020 Maxima | 21 | 0 |
| 2021 Maxima (this page) | 3 | 0 |
| 2022 Maxima | 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Maxima | 1 | 0 |
Limited NHTSA data — only 3 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily.
Only 3 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data.
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: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2021 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.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Going down a road in Tennessee on my way to my sons house in Fort Campbell. No cars on the road anywhere 545 in the morning and the sun roof explodes out of no where. Parts have been ordered and the car is in my possession till the parts come in so no forms to upload as of yet.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk and was shaking. The vehicle felt as though the brake pedal was being depressed. The oil light was flashing. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer,…
Vehicle purchased new with 4 miles then after 100miles, the cd changer does not work and there is a delay in the electronic coolant temperature gauge. The anlog temp gauge is working but the electronic gauge does not come on till 20-30mins of driving.
Common questions
Is the 2021 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 3 owner complaints have been filed for the 2021 Nissan Maxima, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2021 Nissan Maxima?
Only 3 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2021 Nissan Maxima without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Nissan Maxima?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2021 Nissan Maxima to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2021 Nissan Maxima a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 3 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Nissan Maxima?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
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 2021 Nissan Maxima?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 3 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.