Problems · NHTSA complaints
2013 Nissan Maxima problems
Owners filed 62 complaints about the 2013 Nissan Maxima with NHTSA between Jul 2013 and Dec 2025. The most-cited component is power train (24).
Complaints
62
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train24
- Air bags16
- Exterior lighting9
- Engine4
- Structure2
- Service brakes2
- Electrical system2
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Steering1
- Visibility/wiper1
- Other / unknown8
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
9
3
4
10
10
12
3
4
1
3
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
24 reports
“a recall and class action lawsuit was issued for the 2013 altima but not the 2013 maxima. they have the same cvt transmission, my cvt transmission on my maxima just went out. Both the maxima and the altima should have been included in these recalls if they have the exact same CVT transmission”
Air bags
16 reports1 crash
“WHEN AN ADULT SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT (SOME OVER 200LBS) THE "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT REMAINS ON. THIS IS FROM STARTING THE CAR, DRIVING, UNTIL THE END OF THE TRIP.”
Exterior lighting
9 reports
“I have a 2013 Nissan Maxima in my headlights are horrible when they are on dim you cannot see in front of you so bad that it's liable to cause a bad wreck I have to ride with my headlights on bright and it's not much better I have replaced the bulbs in both headlights twice it has not improved anything I think it is a very dangerous thing in could call someone to get hurt because no one can see I've not been pulled over by the police or anything but I have to ride with my headlights on bright and I know it blinds people sometimes I think there needs to be a recall because I have a lot of friends that have Nissans and they have the same problem”
Engine
4 reports
“The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the third attempt however the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine, the crankshaft, and the cylinder heads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 7,500. The VIN was not available.”
Structure
2 reports
“WATER BUILD UP AND SWISHING BACK AND FORTH IN MY REAR DOOR, HAVE TO KEEP REMOVING THE RUBBER SEAL AND DRAINING THE WATER....WILL CAUSE EROSION, POOR GAS MILEAGE DUE TO WEIGHT OF THE WATER...”
Service brakes
2 reports
“MY CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I DIDN'T PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL OR ANYTHING. I HAD TO GET OUT OF MY CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC & WAIT ON A TOW. THE MECHANIC SHOP SAID THAT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE CAR TO DO THAT.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.