Last updated: 2026-10-10
Nissan Maxima Reliability by Year
Nissan Maxima owners pay about $540 a year in repairs, under the fullsize average. Check the front radar and automatic braking before you buy.
Nissan Maxima Reliability Overview
Reliability is good for this full-size sedan, and it ranks above average among sedans on the site. The complaint to know is the front radar system: a "front radar obstruction" message that shuts off adaptive cruise and sometimes comes with hard braking for no reason. The 2023 model is the pick to buy, while 2018 and 2020 rate lowest. Repair costs run below the fullsize average.
Current generation: 8th gen (2016–2023), facelifted 2020.
Best & Worst Nissan Maxima Years
Best Nissan Maxima Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreModel year 2023 has no recalls and only one owner complaint, an electrical one. The weaker years look worse: 2018 has two recalls, 36 complaints, and a fire report, and 2020 has a recall plus structure complaints. Newer cars have had less time to collect complaints, so the gap is partly age.
Nissan Maxima Years to Avoid
No Nissan Maxima years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 72 and 77 across 6 scored model years.
Nissan Maxima Reliability Score Trend
Nissan Maxima reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 76/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 77/100 | Good |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2023 Nissan Maxima
0 recalls · 1 complaints
Final year of the eighth generation, with one owner complaint, no recalls, and a reliability standing about level with 2022.
2022 Nissan Maxima
0 recalls · 5 complaints
Draws the most complaints of the three latest years, including early sunroof lining trouble and an engine fire risk, yet reliability stays good and no recalls exist.
2021 Nissan Maxima
0 recalls · 3 complaints
Best of the six scored Maxima years, with no recalls and only three owner complaints, though engine failures were reported near 72,000 miles.
2020 Nissan Maxima
1 recalls · 21 complaints
Good overall and above average among 2020 sedans, yet weaker than most other Maxima years, with loose front trim, a hood-latch report, and one visibility recall.
2019 Nissan Maxima
1 recalls · 18 complaints
Rates well above other 2019 sedans with light complaints, though phantom automatic braking and one stalling report are the issues to check.
2018 Nissan Maxima
2 recalls · 36 complaints
Weakest of the six scored Maxima years, with front radar faults that disable emergency braking and one reported under-hood fire.
Found Your Nissan Maxima? Check Its History
Electrical system (1) problems come up most in Nissan Maxima owner complaints, and 4 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Nissan Maxima Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$540
Repair Frequency
0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk
15%
$50 below the fullsize cars average of $590/yr.
Ranked #9 of 12 among fullsize cars.
Nissan Maxima Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Nissan Models
Compare all Nissan models by reliability
Compare Nissan Maxima With Similar Sedans
The Nissan Maxima competes with other full-size sedans such as Chrysler 300, Buick LaCrosse, and Dodge Charger.
Maxima vs Chrysler 300
6 years tracked · 248 complaints
Maxima vs Buick LaCrosse
2 years tracked · 18 complaints
Maxima vs Dodge Charger
9 years tracked · 369 complaints
Maxima vs Hyundai Sonata
9 years tracked · 1050 complaints
Maxima vs Subaru Legacy
8 years tracked · 455 complaints
More Nissan Maxima comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best Nissan Maxima year to buy?
- The site picks 2023 as the best year to buy. It has no recalls and a single owner complaint, and it has been on the road at least two years. The 2021 and 2022 model years also rate highest, so they are solid alternatives if the price is better.
- Is the Nissan Maxima reliable?
- Yes. Overall reliability is good, and the Maxima sits above average compared with other sedans on the site. Every model year from 2018 to 2023 rates good. Complaints are spread thin, and most center on driver-assist electronics rather than the engine or transmission.
- What are the most common Nissan Maxima problems?
- The front radar and automatic braking system causes the most trouble. Owners report a "front radar obstruction" message that disables adaptive cruise control and emergency braking, and some describe the car braking hard with nothing ahead. Some owners also report a dim or blank instrument panel that dealers struggle to reproduce.
- How much does it cost to repair a Nissan Maxima?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair bill at $540. That is below the $590 average for fullsize cars. The big exception is the driver-assist hardware: one owner report says a distance sensor replacement can cost over $1000.
How we score the Nissan Maxima
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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