Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Nissan Maxima problems

Owners filed 22 complaints about the 2020 Nissan Maxima with NHTSA between Jan 2020 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is forward collision avoidance (4).

Complaints
22
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Forward collision avoidance4
  2. Structure4
  3. Power train3
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  5. Electrical system2
  6. Latches/locks/linkages2
  7. Air bags2
  8. Service brakes2
  9. Back over prevention2
  10. Vehicle speed control1
  11. Engine1
  12. Steering1
  13. Lane departure1
  14. Parking brake1

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
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
20204
20214
20222
20231
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

Forward collision avoidance

4 reports
“Forward collision warning turns on about 20 seconds after the car starts. There was no accident or obstructions to the sensors, this apperas to just be equipment failure on a car with only 30k miles on it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2024Forward collision avoidanceODI 11611910

Structure

4 reports
“Was getting into the car. As we closed the doors, we heard the sunroof shatter. the edges of the broken glass were pushed up as if the air pressure inside the car broke the glass. If the inside cover was open, we would have been showered in glass. The manufacturer inspected and replaced the glass.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2024StructureODI 11577099

Power train

3 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to park and turn off the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to shift into park, the STOP button failed to respond, and the vehicle suddenly accelerated, crashed into a tree in the median strip, knocked down three poles, and the brake pedal was depressed but became unresponsive. The vehicle continued driving and crashed into a sign pole and came to a stop. The contact stated that a tire also exploded during the crash. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. The contact and her husband sustained injuries during the crash. The contact’s husband sustained a fractured left shoulder and had since developed balance issues. The contact sustained balance issues and weakness in the body. Medical attention was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2026Service brakes, hydraulic, Power train, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11764174

Service brakes, hydraulic

2 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 50 - 55 mph, the vehicle lost motive power, and the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) System, Slip indicator, and Rear Automatic Braking warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the dealer could not replicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would not authorize the dealer to perform the repair and could not replace or repurchase the vehicle. The failure mileage was 8,296.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2021Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11421900

Electrical system

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle jerked before stalling in the middle of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The Police were called to block traffic. The vehicle was towed. The tow truck driver had issues while attempting to tow the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the vehicle failed to start. The contact would turn on the engine, and several minutes later, the vehicle stalled. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. It was unknown if the contact's husband had replaced the battery. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was informed that the vehicle warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2025Power train, Electrical systemODI 11682977

Latches/locks/linkages

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and changing lanes, the hood unlatched, flew open and struck the windshield. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,214.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 12, 2024Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11582542
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.