Last updated: 2026-07-25

2022 Nissan Maxima Reliability Report
The 2022 Nissan Maxima scores 77/100 ("Good"). With 0 recalls and 5 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.
Recalls
0
Complaints
5
Complaint Rate
7per 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
- SERVICE BRAKES (1)
- STRUCTURE (1)
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2022 is 2 years after the facelift for eighth generation refresh.
- Year 7 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.
2022: This Model Year
2022 is 2 years after the facelift for eighth generation refresh.
Should You Buy the 2022 Nissan Maxima?
At 77/100, the 2022 Nissan Maxima lands in "Good" territory — acceptable, but not class-leading. 2022 is 2 years after the facelift for eighth generation refresh.
Owners log 5 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 service brakes, hydraulic (1). An extended warranty is worth pricing out.
Compared to the 2023 Nissan Maxima, which scored the same. See also the 2021 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
- −SERVICE BRAKES (1)
- −STRUCTURE (1)
Compare 2022 Nissan Maxima With

2022 Chrysler 300
Reliability: 73/100

2022 Dodge Charger
Reliability: 74/100

2022 Subaru Legacy
Reliability: 77/100

2022 Hyundai Sonata
Reliability: 65/100
Common Problem Categories
Other
HIGH RISK- SERVICE BRAKES (1)
- STRUCTURE (1)
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
No recalls are on record for the 2022 Nissan Maxima — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
7
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 17.8
Safety Incidents
1
Crashes
1
Fires
2
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 2022 Nissan Maxima? Check its history first
Every 2022 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
2022 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 2022 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 2022 Nissan Maxima.
Inspect rear end for loose or disconnected parts
Check trunk for water leaks and mold
Test sunroof lining for drooping or detachment
Listen for air noise from windows or sunroof while driving
Verify proper function of brakes under hard braking
Check driver's side headlight alignment and beam pattern
2022 Nissan Maxima Common Problems by Component
5 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaintSafety-relatedThe contact owned a 2022 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving at 40 MPH and attempting to stop at a stop sign, with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the driver swerved in an attempt to avoid a collision, side-swiping the vehicle ahead and colliding with 3 light poles before coasting to a complete stop on the shoulder of the roadway. The air bags did not deploy during the impact, resulting in the driver sustaining minor injuries. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. A police report was filed. The contact's granddaughter sustained nondescript injuries to her head and knees but did not seek medical treatment. The contact also stated that, though she was made aware that the driver of the other vehicle had reported injuries, the injuries and treatment were unknown. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
STRUCTURE
1 complaintOn February 10, 2023 I purchased a 2022 Nissan Maxima with a little over 19,000 miles on it. Which has a warranty for up to 104,000 miles. Currently at a little over 25,000 miles. Maybe a week later I noticed a noise coming from the rear, so I informed the Finance Manager, Paul. He then goes on to tell me that he's going to schedule a service appointment. The day I went to Barnes Crossing of Starkville they kept saying they didn't see anything or didn't know what was going on. So the finance manager scheduled an appointment with Nissan. When I get there is when I find out the rear end of the car has a lot of parts not connected. As the man at Nissan stated, it's a mess. Which he also took pictures of and sent them to me. Which I sent the pictures to the Finance Manager, Paul. He asks how much is the broken parts, which I had no clue due to it would have to go to a body shop. He mentioned that he would look for another Maxima, that he could trade me out. My complaints about this car startedHe mentioned I would have to take it was going to take a body repair shop. I then inform Barnes Crossing of Starkville. I was told by the finance manager the he would find a body repair shop but never did. Then because there's this strong odor in the car, I tried to get it clean cover it with air fresheners and still the smell is strong. So one day I go in the truck and pull everything out and to my surprise it's full of water. Which I have picture, not only is it full of water looks like mold spots, etc. I tried to clean it and some of the spots would not go. I informed him of this still he was saying they was going to find me another car, still no car. The trunk of the car is steady getting full of water. Nothing is being done, I reached back out and was told I'll have to do the whole process over again because a credit report is only good for 30 days. Which I've been complaining about this car a week after I received it.Mold and water keep appearing I’m sick
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaintPanoramic sunroof lining started to droop and hang on the back portion of the panoramic roof blocking my view before the car reached 2,000 miles. Dealership refuses to fix stating they would have a Nissan representative look at it and make the repair stating the cost would be over 3,000 dollars. After bringing my vehicle I’m twice and leaving at the dealership for over a week, it was never looked at and I was told to pick it back up and would be contacted once they speak to Nissan. After dozens of calls and no returned calls with my questions, my car now has 7900 miles and I am stuck with the fabric rolled up and taped to keep from blocking by view. This was done by the dealership prior to me picking up my car from Them. The back seat has the sun and glare constantly in the car due to me not being able to block the light. I’m Still fighting this issue with them. Nissan consumer affairs will not return my calls after the representative left me a message stating I could call them back anytime with any concerns or questions even though my several messages asked that a Nissan engineer or representative inspect my car. My dealership stated, prior to promising me Nissan would look at it, said that someone’s head or a heavy box could have put a dent in the framing around the sun roof from the inside of my car even though no one but my 73 year old mother has sat in the back seat ONE time. I don’t know what else to do to have this taken care of. My brand new car should not have a 3,000 issue I should have to cover the costs for. The steering wheel also rattles when driving and you can hear air flow coming through the back seat area from a window or the sunroof. I also mentioned the air noise issue to Nissan with no return call regarding this.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2022 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle at night with the headlights illuminated, the driver’s side light beam had a dark shaded spot in the illuminated light field and the light field was directed approximately 35 degrees to the left creating both visibility hazard for the driver and a blinding hazard for oncoming traffic. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the driver side headlight assembly, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,700.
ENGINE (1 complaints)
ENGINE
1 complaintSafety-relatedI'm investigating a fire in this vehicle. The owner was driving and noticed a smell of rubber or electrical burning. He parked the car and noticed a small amount of smoke from the passenger side of the hood area. It was dark out and he opened the hood and went to get a flashlight. he went about 100 yards to his truck and looked back and the engine compartment was on fire. The owner states the car has around 8000 miles on it and he has recently had an odor of something burning but finding nothing when investigating that. He states the vehicle has run fine and the last commute was approximately 5 miles before the fire. The car was a total loss because of the fire it was completely consumed. I am the fire marshal for this jurisdiction.
When Do 2022 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
(Current Model)
2021
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 2022 Nissan Maxima reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Nissan Maxima?
How many recalls does the 2022 Nissan Maxima have?
Is the 2022 Nissan Maxima expensive to maintain?
Don’t buy a 2022 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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