Last updated: 2026-10-10
2018 Nissan Maxima Reliability Report
The 2018 Nissan Maxima has a good reliability standing, but front radar faults that cut off cruise and emergency braking are its main problem.
Recalls
2
Complaints
36
Complaint Rate
8.5per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$540
Annual Fuel Cost
$3,000
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Weakest of the six scored Maxima years, with front radar faults that disable emergency braking and one reported under-hood fire.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5)
- SERVICE BRAKES (5)
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (5)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2018 is year 3 of the Eighth generation (A36).
- Redesigned for the 2016 model year.
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- A refresh arrives in 2020.
- 8th generation Maxima (US).
What this means for buyers
Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.
2016: Eighth generation (A36) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2018: This Model Year
2018 is year 3 of the Eighth generation (A36).
2020: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2018 Nissan Maxima?
Reliability stands at good, though this is the weakest of the six scored Maxima years. It still sits above average among 2018 sedans and earned 5 of 5 stars in federal crash tests. The 2019 rates better and has about half as many owner complaints.
Most trouble centers on the front radar. A "front radar obstruction" message appears at random, even on clear roads, and shuts off adaptive cruise control and emergency braking. Some cars brake hard with nothing ahead. Reports run from very low mileage to about 94,000 miles. Recalibration does not always fix it, and a distance sensor replacement can top $1000. The gravest report is a fire under the hood after smoke at low speed with no warning light. The owner tied it to leaking brake fluid. Two recalls apply, and one is a park-outside fire risk recall.
Ask for proof that both recalls were completed. Test the cruise control and emergency braking on a long drive. The 2019 is worth comparing.
Compared to the 2019 Nissan Maxima, which scored 4 points higher.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +$50 cheaper to maintain than avg fullsize cars
- +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- +Low major repair risk (15%)
Cons
- −UNKNOWN OR OTHER: Sudden loss of power is the most serious problem in this mixed group (7 complaints)
- −SERVICE BRAKES: Fire under the hood is the gravest report here (5 complaints)
Compare 2018 Nissan Maxima With
2018 Chrysler 300
Reliability: 66/100
2018 Buick LaCrosse
Reliability: 75/100
2018 Dodge Charger
Reliability: 69/100
2018 Hyundai Sonata
Reliability: 61/100
2018 Subaru Legacy
Reliability: 70/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 2 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5)
Recall Overview
2
recalls on record
The 2018 Nissan Maxima carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
8.5
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 25.7
Safety Incidents
1
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2018 Nissan Maxima Recall Details
2 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Nissan Maxima. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.
Consequence
A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.
Buying a used 2018 Nissan Maxima? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2018 Nissan Maxima NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 9.5%
Safety Technologies
Nissan MaximaRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$540
vs $590 avg for fullsize cars
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.3
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
15%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
25 MPG
Running cost: $3,550/yr
Fuel + repair
21 city / 30 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2018 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | 21 | 30 | 25 | $3,000 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2018 Nissan Maxima.
Drive at least 30 minutes with cruise control on and watch for an "Unavailable Front Radar Obstruction" message.
Drive in stop-and-go traffic and pull away from stops several times, feeling for braking with nothing ahead.
Keep driving for 30 minutes or more and note any limp mode, dead gas pedal, or falling RPMs.
Confirm the ABS warning light goes out after startup and check under the hood for brake fluid leaks or burn marks.
Cycle through every 360-degree camera view and check that the instrument panel stays fully bright.
Inspect the panoramic sunroof glass closely for cracks.
Let the car idle for several minutes, then look underneath for clear fluid drips.
Ask for service records showing any radar or distance sensor diagnosis, recalibration, or replacement.
2018 Nissan Maxima Common Problems by Component
36 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
7 complaintsSudden loss of power is the most serious problem in this mixed group. The car drops into limp mode after about 30 minutes of driving, the gas pedal stops responding, and RPMs fall until power slowly returns, even after visits to several shops. One owner blames a violent steering jerk and a spin across a median on an ABS actuator fault. Other reports describe a sunroof that shatters loudly on the interstate, clear odorless fluid dripping at idle, and radar or camera warnings that dealers say they cannot fix without proof.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5 complaintsAn "Unavailable Front Radar Obstruction" message pops up at random while driving, even on clear roads. It shuts off adaptive cruise control and the emergency braking it supports. Some owners see it whenever a car cuts in or a sign sits directly ahead, and some see it right after purchase. Owners whose warranty has expired face repair costs out of pocket. A separate problem has the instrument panel turning dim or blank at intermittent times. Dealers struggle to reproduce it, and one diagnosis points to the Around View Monitor unit.
SERVICE BRAKES
5 complaintsSafety-relatedFire under the hood is the gravest report here. Smoke appears at low speed with no warning light, and the car ends up totaled. Owners connect the fire risk to leaking brake fluid, and one describes waiting months for repair parts after being told to pull over and call for a tow if the ABS light comes on. Most other filings involve the radar-based emergency braking. A "front radar obstruction" message appears at random and automatic braking stops working, with one failure reported at 39,000 miles.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (5 complaints)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
5 complaintsFalse emergency braking is the core complaint. The car brakes hard with nothing in front of it, sometimes while using intelligent cruise control and sometimes when pulling away from a stop. A "front radar obstruction" message often comes with it and shuts off cruise, forward collision warning, and lane keep assist. Reports range from very low mileage to about 94,000 miles, with two near 40,000. Recalibration does not always fix it. Dealers often say they cannot act unless the fault happens during a test drive, and a distance sensor replacement can cost over $1000.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) (2 complaints)
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2 complaintsA front radar obstruction warning comes on often while the car is moving. It can stay on for a couple of minutes or for more than 15 minutes. While it is active, cruise control cancels and the car slows down unexpectedly, which can surprise drivers in traffic. Owners also report that the collision avoidance system keeps disengaging. Both reports describe the same radar fault seen under other categories rather than a separate stability control failure.
VISIBILITY/WIPER (2 complaints)
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2 complaintsThe panoramic sunroof shatters while driving at highway speed, in one case at 70 mph on a hot, humid day. Nissan's warranty excludes glass unless a known defect is found, so owners end up filing insurance claims. The other report describes all of the 360-degree cameras failing, which takes away a key parking and visibility aid. The owner bought the car used and found that its VIN does not show up in recall searches for the camera problem.
SUSPENSION (1 complaints)
SUSPENSION
1 complaintMy rear passenger side coil spring broke. This is a dealer only item. I contacted the dealer and the item is on back order. It is my only means for transportation. I didn’t cause this break, and now I can’t even get it fixed until it comes in whenever that may be. The dealership doesn’t have an estimated time for delivery. I am financing my car and can’t even drive it.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES (1 complaints)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the power door functions on the front driver’s door failed to operate on two separate occasions. Due to the failure, the contact had to enter the vehicle from the front passenger’s side before crawling over into the driver’s seat. The vehicle was initially taken to the dealer, and the front driver’s side door actuator was replaced. And on the second visit, the contact was informed that both the front driver’s side and rear passenger’s side door actuators were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
WHEELS (1 complaints)
WHEELS
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact started losing control of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the lug nuts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was not available.
TIRES (1 complaints)
TIRES
1 complaintFour tires size 245/45/18 failed after 9 months and 6,500 miles. Tires were rotated after 5,000 miles. Dealer checked alignment at 6,500 miles all was ok. Two rear tires were bald, no tread, two front tires were worn to wear bar. Dealer sent tires for warranty 3/12/24 to date 4/22/24 Warranty information not received.
Best & Worst Nissan Maxima Years
Best Nissan Maxima Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreNissan 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
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| 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 |
Nissan Maxima Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2018 Nissan Maxima reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Nissan Maxima?
Does the 2018 Nissan Maxima have emergency braking problems?
Does the 2018 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
How much does it cost to repair a 2018 Nissan Maxima?
Don’t buy a 2018 Nissan Maxima without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2018 Nissan Maxima
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2018 Nissan Maxima does best on how many systems draw complaints (83/100) and worst on repair costs (70/100). 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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