Research · Midsize Cars
2012 Nissan MaximaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 107 owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Maxima. Most complaints involve air bags (27) and electrical system (20). The EPA rates it 22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Combined MPG
22mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
107
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2012 Nissan Maxima as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
107 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2011 – Jan 2026
- Air bags27
- Electrical system20
- Power train18
- Engine11
- Steering10
- Structure6
- Seats6
- Visibility4
- Service brakes2
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 year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 102 |
| 1997 | 110 |
| 1998 | 115 |
| 1999 | 174 |
| 2000 | 376 |
| 2001 | 181 |
| 2002 | 220 |
| 2003 | 206 |
| 2004 | 1,426 |
| 2005 | 948 |
| 2006 | 576 |
| 2007 | 129 |
| 2008 | 79 |
| 2009 | 339 |
| 2010 | 275 |
| 2011 | 106 |
| 2012 | 107 |
| 2013 | 62 |
| 2014 | 96 |
| 2016 | 142 |
| 2017 | 106 |
| 2018 | 36 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
- Crashes reported
- 6
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 7
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Air bags
27 reports5 crashes1 fire
“Passenger airbag notifi action blinks and will not show it is activated to function in a crash. Airbag has never worked. Also driver seat belt keeps releasing without being pushed to open. Seat belt issue just began Dec 2023”
Electrical system
20 reports
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Nissan Maxima. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact stated that the mileage on the title was not available. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 150,000. The vehicle was taken for Texas State Inspection and the VIN was entered on the Inspection Station website and the mileage of 246,450 was displayed.”
Power train
18 reports
“2012 Nissan Maxima with 94,000 miles began hesitating upon accelerating and jerking on [XXX]. Vehicle diagnosed at Don Franklin Nissan in Glasgow, KY with bad transmission. Transmission replaced. Then on [XXX], while driving vehicle, a loud noise from front passenger tire, traction light come on, pulled to side and found wheel side ways and upon investigation, Ball Joint had come part damaging axle and wheel. Found no bolt for ball joint in place. Towed back to Don Franklin Nissan in Glasgow, KY.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (AV-S6)
- 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 Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxima Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,600 | 404 |
- 22mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5Nissan Maxima 4 DR FWD
- Frontal crash
- 3 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 5 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 10.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 6161
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2012 Maxima questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Maxima have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 27, 2026.
What are the most common 2012 Nissan Maxima problems?
Owners filed 107 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (27), electrical system (20), power train (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2012 Nissan Maxima get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Maxima at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
How safe is the 2012 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Nissan Maxima 4 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026