Last updated: 2026-10-10

2019 Nissan Maxima
RELIABILITY SCORE: 76/100 (GOOD)

2019 Nissan Maxima Reliability Report

The 2019 Nissan Maxima has good reliability and beats most 2019 sedans, but a few owners report phantom automatic braking at highway speed.

Recalls

1

Complaints

18

Complaint Rate

5.1per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$540

Annual Fuel Cost

$3,100

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity72/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs70/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact88/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity80/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Rates well above other 2019 sedans with light complaints, though phantom automatic braking and one stalling report are the issues to check.

Top Issues to Watch

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)
  • POWER TRAIN (2)
  • SERVICE BRAKES (2)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 4)

2019 is year 4 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.

2019: This Model Year

2019 is year 4 of the Eighth generation (A36).

2020: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

Should You Buy the 2019 Nissan Maxima?

Good reliability puts this Maxima well above the average 2019 sedan, and it sits in the middle of the six scored Maxima years. Independent repair-cost data estimates $540 a year model-wide, under the $590 typical for the class. The 2018 rates worse, with more complaints and an extra recall. The 2020 rates about the same.

Complaints are few, but two patterns matter. Two owners report phantom braking: the automatic system slams the brakes at highway speed with nothing ahead, and the dash lights red. One car stopped doing it after a dealer replaced an ABS sensor. Another owner had stalling without warning at about 70,000 miles, and the dealer could not find the cause. The single recall covers back over prevention.

Ask for records of brake sensor work and any dealer visits for stalling. Confirm the recall was done, and get the accident history, since one buyer reported undisclosed prior damage. A 2020 is a reasonable alternative.

Compared to the 2020 Nissan Maxima, which scored 2 points lower. See also the 2018 Nissan Maxima for an earlier comparison.

Pros

  • +Acceptable reliability score
  • +$50 cheaper to maintain than avg fullsize cars
  • +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
  • +Low major repair risk (15%)

Cons

  • −UNKNOWN OR OTHER: Infotainment faults dominate this category (5 complaints)
  • −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues reported (2 complaints)

Compare 2019 Nissan Maxima With

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK
  • 1 manufacturer recall issued

Other

HIGH RISK
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER (5)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

1

recall on record

The 2019 Nissan Maxima carries 1 recall — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

5.1

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 19.1

LowAvgHigh
Low

Safety Incidents

2

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2019 Nissan Maxima Recall Details

1 recall has been issued for the 2019 Nissan Maxima. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

19V6540002019-09-12

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.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2019 Nissan Maxima? Check its history first

Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2019 Nissan Maxima, and 1 recall was issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

2019 Nissan Maxima NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Rollover risk: 9.5%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (N/A)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Nissan MaximaRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5

Based 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

Maxima
$540
Category Avg
$590
All Vehicles
$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

24 MPG

Running cost: $3,650/yr

Fuel + repair

20 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 2019 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims
TrimDriveTrans.CityHwyCombFuel Cost
Maxima 3.5L 6-cylFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AV-S7)203024$3,100

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2019 Nissan Maxima.

  • Drive on a busy highway and watch for false automatic braking or a sudden red dash warning.

  • Confirm the ABS and AEB warning lights go out after startup and stay off during the drive.

  • Run the radio and CarPlay for the whole test drive. Watch for reboots, dropouts, or sudden volume jumps.

  • Plug a device into each front USB port and confirm it charges and connects.

  • Inspect the panoramic sunroof glass for cracks and fully operate the rear sunshade, checking for broken plastic.

  • Check both headlights for heavy condensation inside the housing and any headlight system error message.

  • Open the hood, rev the engine and let it idle. Listen for clanking, whining, or a thump as it settles.

  • Get a vehicle history report and check for prior accidents that could have damaged the transmission or body.

2019 Nissan Maxima Common Problems by Component

18 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

5
2
2
2
3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (5)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)POWER TRAIN (2)SERVICE BRAKES (2)VISIBILITY/WIPER (1)ENGINE (1)WHEELS (1)STRUCTURE (1)Other (3)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

5 complaints

Infotainment faults dominate this category. The radio head unit cuts out, reboots on its own, or switches on at blaring volume while driving, and resets often fail to fix it. CarPlay starts and stops, and front USB ports stop working. Two reports involve the panoramic sunroof. In one, the glass shatters with a gunshot-like bang while driving. In the other, the rear sunshade snaps apart with the roof closed, and the dealer quotes over $3000 to replace it. One report also describes an AEB warning light that stays on.

5 complaints total

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

The most serious report is stalling without warning, which begins after a hazard warning about a vehicle failure at about 70,000 miles. The dealer keeps that car for over 11 days and cannot find the cause. Stalling in traffic carries real crash risk. A separate report describes a headlight system error at night. The driver-side LED headlight shuts off, comes back on, and later flickers. Heavy condensation shows up inside that headlight assembly afterward.

2 complaints total

POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

Neither report points to a specific drivetrain failure. One describes noises from under the hood: a clank like a pan hitting something, a whine at low speed, and a thump when the engine drops back to idle after pressing the gas. The other is about a dealer sale where transmission and body damage from an earlier accident reportedly went undisclosed. Both reports say more about an individual car's history and condition than about a repeated factory defect.

2 complaints total
SERVICE BRAKES (2 complaints)

SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaints

Phantom braking is the pattern here. The automatic braking system triggers an abrupt stop at highway speed with nothing in the road, and the dash lights up red. Both reports describe repeat events in cars bought new. In one case the ABS light stays on until a dealer replaces a sensor, and the false activations stop after that. A sudden hard stop in traffic creates a clear risk of a rear-end collision.

2 complaints total
VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints)

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint
2025-12-10

I recently purchased a 2019 Nissan Maxima in November of 2025 from the Nissan dealership, with in the matter of 2 weeks after getting the car as I was driving the sunroof just exploded sounding like a gunshot. My son was in the car and luckily, I had the shade up, so no glass got all over us. The issue almost caused a wreck due to me having to swerve after thinking someone was shooting and or something fell out of the sky. I have a panoramic sunroof, and the insurance company say they do not cover sunroofs.

ENGINE (1 complaints)

ENGINE

1 complaint
2022-05-03

The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the oil level warning light illuminated and the vehicle started smoking under the hood. The contact checked the oil level and notice there was no oil in the engine. The contact added engine oil however, the smoking continued. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the spark plugs and intake gasket were replaced; however, the vehicle continued to smoke and the oil level remained low. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the engine needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 70,000.

WHEELS (1 complaints)

WHEELS

1 complaint
2022-05-01

The lug nuts on this vehicle are covered with a thin stainless "cap". This cap can, and was, easily damaged and deformed when attempting to remove it to change a tire. The stainless steel "cap" was able to rotate without rotating the lug nut it was covering. This made it impossible to remove the wheel. This is a very poor and dangerous design as a driver can be stranded with a flat tire and no way to remove the lug nuts holding the wheel to the vehicle. The vehicle had to be towed to a mechanic who had to cut away the cap and remove it from the covered lug nut before the lug not could be removed.

STRUCTURE (1 complaints)

STRUCTURE

1 complaint
2022-03-25

While driving on a windy day at approximately 55 mph, the hood popped up on the Maxima. The secondary latch prevented the hood from rising more than a couple of inches so no damage occurred, but had the hood come completely open it could have been a disaster. The car was pulled to the side of the road and the hood was closed tight. The hood was last opened when being serviced by my Nissan dealer. This is the first time this has happened and the car was driven home (approx 15 miles), under the same windy conditions, without incident. It has not been inspected by the dealer yet.

TIRES (1 complaints)

TIRES

1 complaint
2021-06-06

We were traveling on a lightly crowded highway when all at once the car shuddered, tire and warning lights came on, noise and vibration levels increased dramatically. I managed to pull over and then off the highway in order to replace the damaged tire with the donut spare. The roadway was clear, and we did not run over any objects. The tire was utterly flat. It had failed instantly, as opposed to a leak. The attached photo shows that the inner sidewall of the tire failed simultaneously, in multiple places. NOTE!!! Earlier batches of this same brand/make/model tire have already been RECALLED! The tires on my car were made 3 weeks after the listed DOT batch week end. The recall period needs to be extended.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaintSafety-related
2020-01-04Crash reported1 injury

DRIVING NORTH ON BISCAYNE BLVD 167TH ST NORTH MIAMI FL CAR DRASTICALLY WENT TO RIGHT AND WENT ON RISKING AND HIT POLES AND AIR BAGS CAME OUT I HAD NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE IT WAS MECHANICAL DEFECT I CALLED PRIOR TO RENTAL SAYING SOMETHING IS WRONG BUT NO ONE LISTENED.*DT*JB*DT CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER STATING VEHICLE WAS SOLD AS A SALVAGE.*JB

Best & Worst Nissan Maxima Years

Best Nissan Maxima Years to Buy

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

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Nissan Maxima reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
201872/100Good
201976/100Good
202074/100Good
202177/100Good
202277/100Good
202377/100Good

Nissan Maxima Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
202377/1000Good01
202277/1000Good05
202177/100+3Good03
202074/100-2Good121
2019(selected)76/100+4Good118
201872/100—Good236

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2019 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Yes. It has good reliability and rates well above average among 2019 sedans. Owners filed 18 complaints, about 5.1 per 10,000 sold. Within the Maxima lineup it lands in the middle of the scored years, so it is solid but neither the best nor the weakest of the generation.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Nissan Maxima?
Owner complaints cluster in three areas, each with only two reports: electrical, power train, and service brakes. The brake reports describe phantom braking. The electrical reports cover stalling and a failing LED headlight. The power train reports describe noises and a dealer sale dispute, not a repeated defect.
Does the 2019 Nissan Maxima have automatic braking problems?
Some owners say so. Two describe the automatic braking system stopping the car hard on the highway with nothing in the road, repeatedly, in cars bought new. In one case the ABS light stayed on until a dealer replaced a sensor, and the false stops ended. A sudden stop in traffic risks a rear-end crash.
Has the 2019 Nissan Maxima been recalled?
Federal records list one recall for this year, covering back over prevention. The 2018 has two recalls and the 2020 has one. Before buying, ask the seller for proof the recall repair was completed, or have a Nissan dealer check the VIN for open recalls.
How much does the 2019 Nissan Maxima cost to maintain?
Independent repair-cost data estimates about $540 a year across the model, below the $590 typical for its class. That figure covers the Maxima as a whole, not only 2019. Individual costs depend on the car's history, so ask for service records.

Don’t buy a 2019 Nissan Maxima without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2019 Nissan Maxima

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2019 Nissan Maxima does best on recall impact (88/100) 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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