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Research · Midsize Cars

2008 Nissan MaximaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 79 owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Maxima. Most complaints involve air bags (23) and structure (21). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
79
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2008 Nissan Maxima as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

79 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2008 – Sep 2026
  1. Air bags23
  2. Structure21
  3. Power train8
  4. Tires8
  5. Electrical system6
  6. Engine5
  7. Suspension4
  8. Vehicle speed control4
  9. Steering4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Maxima model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996102
1997110
1998115
1999174
2000376
2001181
2002220
2003206
20041,426
2005948
2006576
2007129
200879
2009339
2010275
2011106
2012107
201362
201496
2016142
2017106
201836
201918
202022
20213
20225
20231
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

23 reports2 crashes
“AIRBAG LIGHT HAS TURNED ON. THEY WHERE NOT DEPLOYED. TRIED TO RESET THE LIGHT BUT IT STILL CAME ON. TRIED TO ERASE THE LIGHT WITH OBD2 READER BUT THE CODE NEVER SHOWED. THE LIGHT TURNED ON OUT OF NOWHERE. ITS BEEN ON FOR MONTHS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2020Suspension, Air bagsODI 11310262

Structure

21 reports
“Heavy Rust/corrosion/hole in driver & passenger floorboard. Visible from underneath vehicle when the vehicle is up on the lift. I’m concerned my feet will go through the floor. Inspected by an authorized auto body shop and they confirmed this is very unsafe and a manufacture defect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 29, 2023StructureODI 11504265

Power train

8 reports2 crashes
“VEHICLE STOPPED FORWARD MOVEMENT IN MIDDLE LANE OF I-95 NORTH. ENGINE REVOLUTIONS JUMPED TO RED ZONE BUT NO FORWARD MOVEMENT. HAD TO COAST, IN LIGHT TRAFFIC, TO EDGE OF ROADWAY MERGE LANE. ENGINE THEN DIED. ENGINE RE-STARTED ABOUT 35 MINUTES LATER AND TRAVELED TO US HWY 1 WHEN SAME THING HAPPENED. VEHICLE DIED IN OUTER LANE. STATE POLICE ARRIVED AND ASSISTED IN PUSHING VEHICLE TO BUSINESS SHOULDER/DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES TO TRANSMISSION SHOP IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 29, 2019Power trainODI 11282875
All 2008 Maxima problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Maxima
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192521$3,700423
  • Maxima
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Nissan Maxima as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 2669
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Maxima questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Maxima have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 2008 Nissan Maxima problems?

Owners filed 79 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (23), structure (21), power train (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Nissan Maxima get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Nissan Maxima at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026