Is the Hyundai Sonata more reliable than the Nissan Maxima?

Based on our data, the Nissan Maxima is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Sonata or the Nissan Maxima?

The Hyundai Sonata has more recalls (20) compared to the Nissan Maxima (4). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Hyundai Sonata or the Nissan Maxima?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Sonata has a lower complaint rate at 3.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 6.5 for the Nissan Maxima. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Hyundai Sonata or Nissan Maxima safer?

Both the Hyundai Sonata and Nissan Maxima received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Hyundai Sonata vs Nissan Maxima: Reliability Compared

Hyundai Sonata

Good

More Reliable

Nissan Maxima

Good

Choosing between the Hyundai Sonata and the Nissan Maxima? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Nissan Maxima currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 68/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Hyundai Sonata and Nissan Maxima Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Hyundai Sonata is in its eighth generation (DN8), which debuted in 2020 and received a facelift in 2023. Being mid-cycle, this platform benefits from several years of refinement, often translating to improved reliability as initial issues are typically resolved. In contrast, the Nissan Maxima's eighth generation (A36) spanned from 2016 to 2023, with a significant facelift in 2020. This generation has completed its cycle, suggesting that any persistent issues should have been addressed. Generally, vehicles later in their generation cycle, like the Sonata, tend to be more reliable due to resolved teething problems, making them appealing for reliability-conscious buyers.

Verdict

The Nissan Maxima is more reliable than the Hyundai Sonata, scoring 76/100 vs 68/100.

The Nissan Maxima edges out the Hyundai Sonata in reliability with a higher average score of 76/100 compared to the Sonata's 68/100. The Maxima also benefits from fewer recalls, with only 4 over six years versus the Sonata's 20 across nine years. Despite the Maxima's higher owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 6.5 compared to the Sonata's 3.7, its estimated annual repair cost of $540 provides a clearer picture of expected maintenance expenses. Both models have issues with electrical systems and power trains, but the Maxima's fewer recalls and higher reliability score make it the more dependable choice.

Key Differences

1Nissan Maxima has 16 fewer total recalls
2Nissan Maxima scores 8 points higher in reliability
3Hyundai Sonata has 2.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

1Hyundai Sonata

—

2Nissan Maxima

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Hyundai Sonata vs Nissan Maxima: Which Is More Reliable?

Hyundai Sonata vs Nissan Maxima at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Hyundai Sonata	Nissan Maxima
Reliability Score	68/100	76/100
Years Tracked	9	6
Total Recalls	20	4
Complaints per 10k Sold	3.7	6.5
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2023 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	6

What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Sonata and Nissan Maxima?

The Hyundai Sonata has a significantly higher volume of complaints compared to the Nissan Maxima, with particular issues in the engine and electrical system categories, each with 239 and 161 complaints, respectively, and both having crash-linked incidents. Notably, the Sonata's vehicle speed control problems are linked to nine crashes, highlighting a critical safety concern. In contrast, the Nissan Maxima's complaints are fewer and more evenly distributed across various categories, with no single area showing a severe concentration of issues. While the Maxima's complaints include service brakes and forward collision avoidance, these issues are less frequent and not linked to crashes, suggesting a more reliable safety profile compared to the Sonata.

Hyundai Sonata vs Nissan Maxima common problem areas comparison
Component	Hyundai Sonata	Nissan Maxima
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.4Very Low	0.9Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	0.5Very Low
ENGINE	0.8Very Low	—None
POWER TRAIN	0.4Very Low	0.3Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	—None	0.7Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.5Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.2Very Low
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES	—None	0.2Very Low
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	—None	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.1Very Low	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.1Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Hyundai Sonata or Nissan Maxima?

The Nissan Maxima has an annual repair cost of $540, with a repair frequency of 0.3 visits per year and a 15% risk of major repairs. Without specific data for the Hyundai Sonata, we can still assess the Maxima's figures. Over five years, the Maxima's repair costs total $2,700, with a relatively low repair frequency indicating less frequent visits to the shop. However, the 15% risk of major repairs could lead to significant additional expenses. For cost-conscious buyers, the Hyundai Sonata might present a better value if its repair frequency and major repair risk are lower, even if the annual cost is comparable. The Maxima's higher major repair risk might be a consideration for those prioritizing long-term reliability and cost savings.

How Does Hyundai Sonata vs Nissan Maxima Reliability Compare by Year?

Hyundai Sonata vs Nissan Maxima year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Hyundai Sonata	Nissan Maxima	Edge
2023	62/1002R / 87C	77/1000R / 1C	Nissan Maxima
2022	65/1003R / 95C	77/1000R / 5C	Nissan Maxima
2021	64/1004R / 151C	77/1000R / 3C	Nissan Maxima
2020	62/1005R / 163C	74/1001R / 21C	Nissan Maxima
2019	71/1000R / 144C	76/1001R / 18C	Nissan Maxima
2018	61/1003R / 353C	72/1002R / 36C	Nissan Maxima

Best years to cross-shop: The 2019 Hyundai Sonata scored 71/100 and the 2023 Nissan Maxima scored 77/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Hyundai Sonata vs the Nissan Maxima?

If you prioritize overall reliability and fewer recalls, the Nissan Maxima might be the better choice for you. With a higher reliability score of 76/100 compared to the Hyundai Sonata's 68/100, the Maxima also has significantly fewer recalls, only 4 compared to the Sonata's 20. Although the Maxima has a slightly higher rate of owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 6.5, it offers a clear advantage in terms of reliability. On the other hand, if lower owner complaints are your main concern, the Hyundai Sonata could be more appealing. It has fewer complaints per 10,000 sold at 3.7, despite its lower reliability score. However, be aware that the Sonata has recurring issues with the engine and electrical system, which could be a concern over time. While the Maxima's estimated annual repair cost is $540, specific cost data for the Sonata isn't available, so budgeting for potential repairs could be more challenging.

Hyundai Sonata vs Nissan Maxima: Common Questions

Is the Hyundai Sonata more reliable than the Nissan Maxima?: Based on our data, the Nissan Maxima is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Sonata or the Nissan Maxima?: The Hyundai Sonata has more recalls (20) compared to the Nissan Maxima (4). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Hyundai Sonata or the Nissan Maxima?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Sonata has a lower complaint rate at 3.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 6.5 for the Nissan Maxima. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Hyundai Sonata or Nissan Maxima safer?: Both the Hyundai Sonata and Nissan Maxima received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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