Last updated: 2026-07-25
2021 Nissan Maxima Reliability Report
The 2021 Nissan Maxima scores 77/100 ("Good"). With 0 recalls and 3 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.
Recalls
0
Complaints
3
Complaint Rate
1.8per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$540
Annual Fuel Cost
$3,100
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
Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.
Top Issues to Watch
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1)
- STRUCTURE (1)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)
Generation & Refresh (US)
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?
At 77/100, the 2021 Nissan Maxima lands in "Good" territory — acceptable, but not class-leading. 2021 is 1 year after the facelift for eighth generation refresh.
Owners log 3 complaints on this model year — enough to suggest attention is needed, but no single failure mode dominates yet.
Get a pre-purchase inspection on any used example, with extra attention to engine and engine cooling (1). An extended warranty is worth pricing out.
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
2021 Dodge Charger
Reliability: 76/100
2021 Subaru Legacy
Reliability: 75/100
2021 Hyundai Sonata
Reliability: 64/100
Common Problem Categories
Other
MODERATE- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1)
- STRUCTURE (1)
Recall Overview
0
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 soldSegment avg: 16.7
Safety Incidents
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
Buying a used 2021 Nissan Maxima? Check its history first
Every 2021 Nissan Maxima has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2021 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
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 complaintThe 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 complaintGoing 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 complaintVEHICLE 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.
Best & Worst Nissan Maxima Years
Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.
Best Nissan Maxima Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe best Nissan Maxima year is 2023 with a reliability score of 77/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2022 (77/100) and 2021 (77/100).
2023
2022
2021
(Current Model)
Nissan Maxima Years to Avoid
No Nissan Maxima years are statistical outliers in our data.
All model years score consistently well. The Nissan Maxima maintains one of the highest industry standards for long-term durability across its entire production span.
Nissan Maxima Reliability Score Trend
Nissan Maxima reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 76/100.
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 2021 Nissan Maxima reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Nissan Maxima?
How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Maxima have?
Is the 2021 Nissan Maxima expensive to maintain?
Don’t buy a 2021 Nissan Maxima without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
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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.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Nissan Maxima.
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