Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 77/100 (GOOD)

2021 Nissan Maxima Reliability Report

The 2021 Nissan Maxima has good reliability, the best of its scored years, with no recalls. Engine failure complaints appear around 72,000 miles.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

1.8per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$540

Annual Fuel Cost

$3,100

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity71/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs70/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity73/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Best of the six scored Maxima years, with no recalls and only three owner complaints, though engine failures were reported near 72,000 miles.

Top Issues to Watch

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1)
STRUCTURE (1)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Refresh

2021 is 1 year after the facelift for eighth generation refresh.

Year 6 in the Eighth generation (A36) (2016–2023).
Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
8th generation Maxima (US).

What this means for buyers

Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.

2016: Eighth generation (A36) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2020: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2021: This Model Year

2021 is 1 year after the facelift for eighth generation refresh.

Should You Buy the 2021 Nissan Maxima?

Of the six scored Maxima years, this is the strongest. Reliability standing is good, above average among 2021 sedans, and better than any other Maxima year in the set. Owners filed only 3 complaints, and federal recall records show none. The 2020 model rates worse, with 21 complaints and a recall. The 2022 rates about the same, with 5 complaints and no recalls.

Engine failure is the one problem pattern in the data. Owners who reported it put it at 72,000 to 73,000 miles, so a car near that range needs a careful check of its engine history. The data does not describe the symptoms, so treat the mileage as the warning sign. Running costs look modest: estimated annual repairs are $540, against $590 for its class.

Ask the seller for engine service records, especially on a car approaching or past 72,000 miles. If a clean 2021 is hard to find, the 2022 is the closest alternative.

Compared to the 2022 Nissan Maxima, which scored the same. See also the 2020 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

−ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1)
−STRUCTURE (1)

Compare 2021 Nissan Maxima With

2021 Chrysler 300

Reliability: 73/100

Good

2021 Dodge Charger

Reliability: 76/100

Good

2021 Hyundai Sonata

Reliability: 64/100

Good

2021 Subaru Legacy

Reliability: 75/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Other

MODERATE

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1)
STRUCTURE (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2021 Nissan Maxima — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

1.8

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 16.7

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

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

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2021 Nissan Maxima? Check its history first

Engine and engine cooling problems lead owner complaints about the 2021 Nissan Maxima, and 0 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

2021 Nissan Maxima NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 5/5

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) (Not Available)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Not Available)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Nissan MaximaRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5

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 2021 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Maxima 3.5L 6-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AV-S7)	20	30	24	$3,100

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Nissan Maxima.

Inspect engine for oil leaks and check oil levels
Test for engine jerking or shaking during a test drive
Verify functionality of electronic coolant temperature gauge
Check sunroof for any signs of damage or previous repairs

2021 Nissan Maxima Common Problems by Component

3 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1)STRUCTURE (1)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

2024-04-15

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, where it was diagnosed that there was a catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle was repaired. After driving the vehicle, the vehicle was parked, and his son noticed there was a puddle of oil underneath the vehicle. The vehicle failed to start. The contact checked the oil level and noticed there was no oil. The vehicle was towed back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with starter and an oil gasket failure. The dealer informed the contact that there was oil in the engine. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 72,600.

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

2021-06-03

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

2021-03-22

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.

When Do 2021 Nissan Maxima Problems Start?

Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.

72,000–73,000 milesEngine failures

Best & Worst Nissan Maxima Years

Best Nissan Maxima Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

2023

0Recalls

1Complaints

Good

2022

0Recalls

5Complaints

Good

2021

(Current Model)

0Recalls

3Complaints

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.

See full Nissan Maxima years-to-avoid analysis

Nissan Maxima Reliability Score Trend

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

Nissan Maxima reliability scores by year
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

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2023	77/100	0	Good	0	1
2022	77/100	0	Good	0	5
2021(selected)	77/100	+3	Good	0	3
2020	74/100	-2	Good	1	21
2019	76/100	+4	Good	1	18
2018	72/100	—	Good	2	36

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2021 Nissan Maxima reliable?

Yes. It has a good reliability standing, ranks above average among 2021 sedans, and is the best of the six scored Maxima years. Owners filed 3 complaints, or 1.8 per 10,000 sold, and federal recall records list no recalls for this year.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Nissan Maxima?

Engine failure is the only problem pattern in the data. Owners who reported it put it at 72,000 to 73,000 miles. With just 3 complaints in total, no other pattern shows up, and the data does not describe the symptoms.

Does the 2021 Nissan Maxima have engine problems?

A few owners report engine failure, at about 72,000 to 73,000 miles. The number of complaints is small, so this is a pattern to check rather than a widespread defect. Ask for engine service records, especially on cars near that mileage.

Has the 2021 Nissan Maxima been recalled?

No. Federal recall records list zero recalls for this model year. The 2020 Maxima has one recall, and the 2022 has none, so the 2021 is not behind its neighbors on recall history.

Is the 2021 Nissan Maxima better than the 2020 or 2022?

It beats the 2020, which rates worse with 21 complaints and 1 recall. Against the 2022, it rates about the same. The 2022 has 5 complaints and no recalls, so it is a sensible alternative.

Don’t buy a 2021 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 2021 Nissan Maxima

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Nissan Maxima does best on recall impact (100/100) 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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