Last updated: 2026-07-25

RELIABILITY SCORE: 77/100 (GOOD)

2023 Nissan Maxima Reliability Report

Name: 2023 Nissan Maxima
Brand: Nissan

The 2023 Nissan Maxima scores 77/100 ("Good"). With 0 recalls and 1 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

1per 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 Diversity71/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.

Top Issues to Watch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Final Year

2023 is the last model year of the Eighth generation (A36).

Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
3 years after the last refresh (2020).
8th generation Maxima (US).

What this means for buyers

Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.

2016: Eighth generation (A36) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2020: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2023: This Model Year

2023 is the last model year of the Eighth generation (A36).

Should You Buy the 2023 Nissan Maxima?

At 77/100, the 2023 Nissan Maxima lands in "Good" territory — acceptable, but not class-leading. 2023 is the last model year of the Eighth generation (A36).

Owners log 1 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 electrical system and electrical system (1). An extended warranty is worth pricing out.

See also the 2022 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

−ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)

Compare 2023 Nissan Maxima With

2023 Chrysler 300

Reliability: 75/100

Good

2023 Dodge Charger

Reliability: 76/100

Good

2023 Subaru Legacy

Reliability: 77/100

Good

2023 Hyundai Sonata

Reliability: 62/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Other

LOW RISK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2023 Nissan Maxima — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 14.4

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 2023 Nissan Maxima? Check its history first

Every 2023 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

2023 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, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard/Optional)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger/Roof)

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 2023 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 2023 Nissan Maxima.

Inspect electrical system for any signs of malfunction or intermittent issues
Test all equipment functions, especially infotainment system, for proper operation
Check for any outstanding recalls related to electrical or equipment issues
Verify that all dashboard warning lights function correctly and do not remain illuminated

2023 Nissan Maxima Common Problems by Component

1 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

2023-08-21

See attached document for complaint

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 score

The 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).

Top Pick

Good

2023

(Current Model)

0Recalls

1Complaints

Good

2022

0Recalls

5Complaints

Good

2021

0Recalls

3Complaints

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.

See full Nissan Maxima years-to-avoid analysis

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.

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(selected)	77/100	0	Good	0	1
2022	77/100	0	Good	0	5
2021	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 2023 Nissan Maxima reliable?

The 2023 Nissan Maxima has a "Good" reliability rating with a score of 77/100. It is reasonably reliable with 0 recalls and 1 owner complaints, though some issues have been reported.

What are the most common problems with the 2023 Nissan Maxima?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2023 Nissan Maxima include: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints). These issues were identified from owner complaints analyzed by Auto Reliability Index.

How many recalls does the 2023 Nissan Maxima have?

The 2023 Nissan Maxima has no recalls on record, which is a positive indicator.

Is the 2023 Nissan Maxima expensive to maintain?

The 2023 Nissan Maxima has estimated annual repair costs of $540/year, which is $50 less than the fullsize cars average of $590. With a reliability score of 77/100, some repairs may be needed, but overall ownership costs are manageable.

Don’t buy a 2023 Nissan Maxima without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

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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