Research · Midsize Cars

2017 Nissan MaximaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 106 owner complaints for the 2017 Nissan Maxima. Most complaints involve air bags (18) and structure (17). The EPA rates it 25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
25mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Nov 2019
Owner complaints
106
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Park outsideFree remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Nov 8, 2019NHTSA 19V807000

Service brakes

Park outsideFree remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Nissan Murano, 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 7, 2018NHTSA 18V601000

Service brakes

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 19, 2016 and equipped with Intelligent Cruise Control, 2015-2017 Murano vehicles manufactured August 22, 2014, to August 19, 2016 and equipped with Intelligent Cruise Control, and 2015-2016 Murano Hybrid vehicles manufactured August 22, 2014, to July 19, 2016. The affected vehicles have Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps that may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal electrical circuit board.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 2, 2016NHTSA 16V636000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

106 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2017 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags18
  2. Structure17
  3. Electrical system11
  4. Power train11
  5. Forward collision avoidance10
  6. Service brakes10
  7. Engine8
  8. Suspension7
  9. Wheels6

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
8
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

18 reports3 crashes1 fire
“Went to work and parked. It rained that day, not sure if it’s related. When I went to leave the dash airbag light stayed on. This was December 2023. There are no other issues with the car. No other warning lights. The car has 52,300 miles on it now. I just recently took it to the dealership to see about getting it fixed and was quoted $7k-11k in repairs. They told me “it’s usually the setback assembly. That could possibly fix it.” I was told the lifetime power train warranty that the dealership offers does not apply. I do have the invoice, but for some train the website is not letting me upload.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2024Air bagsODI 11564052

Structure

17 reports1 crash1 fire
“The 2 A pillar molding in the front flew off while driving on the highway and the 2 rear pillar moldings in the back are loose. It is available for inspection. This is an EXTREME safety concern as I was going high speeds and part of my car detached - I am thankful that it did not hit the cars near me but that doesn't mean that when I get it replaced with the faulty issue, that the new ones will not fall off. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer. There was no warning that the parts were falling off. The car has zero body damage and has never been in a wreck before. This is a KNOWN issue with the maxima and I am disappointed that nissian knows about this, has a service bulletin (Classification: BT19-011a; Ref: NTB19-079a) on how to fix this KNOWN issue but the manufacturer refuses to take any accountability for their poor design flaws leading to a major safety concern.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2025StructureODI 11671780

Electrical system

11 reports1 fire
“Car was parked outside husbands work since 7 at 12:15 pm he was advised by a co worker that my car was on fire ! When I ran outside my his workers where trying to put out the fire with the fire extinguishers from the work warehouse ! The fire department ended up finish putting out the fire ! The whole engine compartment was burnt to a crisp and a huge hole was burnt through the hood on the passenger side along side the firewall of car !”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2026Electrical system, Service brakesFire reportedODI 11746526
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S7)
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
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Maxima
Auto (AV-S7), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213025$3,200366
  • Maxima
    Auto (AV-S7), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Nissan Maxima 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 11087
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

2017 Maxima questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Nissan Maxima have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2017 Nissan Maxima problems?

Owners filed 106 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (18), structure (17), electrical system (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Nissan Maxima get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Nissan Maxima at 25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2017 Nissan Maxima?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Nissan Maxima 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026