Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Nissan Maxima problems

Owners filed 96 complaints about the 2014 Nissan Maxima with NHTSA between Jan 2014 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (24).

Complaints
96
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags24
  2. Power train22
  3. Exterior lighting19
  4. Engine9
  5. Electrical system8
  6. Suspension6
  7. Fuel/propulsion system5
  8. Steering4
  9. Service brakes4
  10. Structure3
  11. Seats2
  12. Visibility/wiper2
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  14. Visibility2

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 Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20146
20155
201610
20179
201811
201912
202014
20215
20229
20234
20246
20253
20262

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

24 reports4 crashes
“The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The air bag located in the seat failed to activate as designed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the passenger’s side seat sensor was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the occupant sensor was inoperable. The dealer confirmed that the part was no longer in production. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2025Air bagsODI 11691783

Power train

22 reports3 crashes
“While pulling into a parking space, I heard my engine racing. Immediately, I felt the car lurch forward. To avoid misapplying my foot to the gas pedal, I withdrew both my feet to the floor, next to the seat. The car continued forward at a fast rate. The car stopped going forward after it struck s building. However, the tires kept spinning, especially the front left tire. The engine ran briefly, until it stopped spontaneously. A few days previously, while driving at about 40 miles per hour on level ground, I felt the gas pedal to be unresponsive. Then it quickly reengaged. I mentioned this to my husband and he suggested that there may have been an air bubble in the fuel line. I don't know if the two events are related. Also, possibly related, I stopped using cruise control, because the car would surge and lapse during use. My insurance company is pursuing spontaneous acceleration. I visited my primary care physician the afternoon of the accident and was diagnosed with whiplash.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2024Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11620050

Exterior lighting

19 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights became inoperable. The contact stated that the headlights failed to function properly, and the lights were dim. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the headlight assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,270.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2025Exterior lightingODI 11661846

Engine

9 reports1 crash
“Date(s) of Incident: Multiple incidents from [June 3, 2025] to [July 1, 2025] Summary of Complaint I am filing this complaint against Best Price Transmissions for negligence, non-compliance with automotive repair safety codes, and unprofessional conduct that has resulted in substantial financial loss, vehicle damage, and emotional distress. I have patronized this shop for years, trusting their work, but my vehicles have repeatedly left their care with more problems than they arrived with. The most recent incident involved an air conditioning repair that led to a coolant leak, the recommendation of unnecessary part replacements, and ultimately damage to my vehicle’s performance. Details of Incident 1. Unqualified Workers & Code Non-Compliance Mechanics admitted to not being certified automotive technicians. One employee intentionally released refrigerant from my AC system, claiming there was “too much pressure.” Repairs involving refrigerants must legally be performed by certified personnel; this was not followed. Several workers could not speak English, making communication difficult and contributing to repair errors. 2. Damage to Vehicle My AC and defrost no…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2025Unknown or other, EngineODI 11680401

Electrical system

8 reports1 crash
“THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON EACH TIME MY MOTHER IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT STAYS LIGHTS FOR PERIODS OF TIME. AT TIMES THE LIGHT GOES OFF, THEN BACK ON. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP AND HAVE NOTIFIED FIDELITY WARRANTY SERVICES SINCE WE PURCHASED THE ROYAL PROTECTION PLAN WHICH IS STILL IN EFFECT UNTIL NOVEMBER 2021. I AM AFRAID THAT IF MY MOTHER IS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND THE LIGHT SENSOR IS NOT FIXED AND WE ARE IN A FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT SHE WILL BE INJURED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2021Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11398706

Suspension

6 reports2 crashes1 fire
“Failure of multiple systems upon impact with a pothole causing the vehicle to light up brake warning light, traction control system warning light, and spin out with no steering capability, resulting in a total loss of the car, including the rear passenger tire and wheel to sheer off, snapped the tie rod, ripped off the rear bumper, and bent the vehicle rims. I suffered a closed head injury and whiplash, as well as soft tissue damage to right shoulder and knee. Airbags did deploy.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2024Steering, Suspension, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11565918
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026

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