Last updated: 2026-10-10

Nissan Maxima

Nissan Maxima Years to Avoid

6 scored model years (2018–2023) · model average 76/100

No Maxima year is one to avoid, since every year from 2018 to 2023 rates good. What varies is recall history and complaint volume, with 2018 and 2020 the weakest. The year to buy is 2023, which has no recalls and very few complaints.

Verdict

Avoid
No outlier years
Buy
2023 77/100
Model average
76/100
See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

What Are Common Nissan Maxima Problems?

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

12 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019

2018: Sudden loss of power is the most serious problem in this mixed group.

SERVICE BRAKES

9 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2020, 2019

2018: Fire under the hood is the gravest report here.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

7 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2020

2018: False emergency braking is the core complaint.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

7 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019

2018: An "Unavailable Front Radar Obstruction" message pops up at random while driving, even on clear roads.

STRUCTURE

4 complaints

Most reported in 2020

2020: Body trim and glass come loose or break without a collision.

POWER TRAIN

4 complaints

Most reported in 2020, 2019

2020: The transmission fails, and the car can stall in traffic.

Best Nissan Maxima Year to Buy Instead

77
GoodReliability score: 77 out of 100, rated Good

2023 Nissan Maxima

Model year 2023 has no recalls and only one owner complaint, an electrical one. The weaker years look worse: 2018 has two recalls, 36 complaints, and a fire report, and 2020 has a recall plus structure complaints. Newer cars have had less time to collect complaints, so the gap is partly age.

Score: 77/100 (Good)0 recalls1 complaints
View full 2023reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2023 Nissan Maxima has 0 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

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

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Nissan Maxima Years by Generation

Nissan Maxima Reliability Scores by Year

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Nissan Maxima years should I avoid?
None. Site analysis finds no year well below the model's own average, and all six years from 2018 to 2023 rate good. If you want to be careful, 2018 and 2020 are the lowest rated, and 2023 is the year the site recommends.
Which Nissan Maxima years are the weakest?
The 2018 and 2020 model years rate lowest. The 2018 car has two recalls, 36 owner complaints, and one fire report. The 2020 car has one recall and the highest complaint rate relative to sales, with structure complaints leading. Both still rate good overall.
Which Nissan Maxima years have transmission problems?
The data does not point to any year with a transmission problem. Power train drew only four complaints across all years, and none describes a repeated drivetrain failure. One was about a dealer sale where earlier accident damage reportedly went undisclosed.
Which Nissan Maxima years are rated highest?
The 2021 and 2022 model years rate highest. The 2021 car has no recalls and just three owner complaints. The 2022 car also has no recalls, but it has five complaints and one fire report, so have the brake system checked.
Is a 2023 Nissan Maxima too new to trust?
No, the site picks it as the year to buy. It has been on the road for at least two years, has no recalls, and has one complaint. A low count still partly reflects less time to collect reports, so inspect the radar and braking features.

How we score every Nissan Maxima model year

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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