Research · Midsize Cars
2021 Nissan MaximaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints for the 2021 Nissan Maxima. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (1) and structure (1). The EPA rates it 24 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
24mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
3
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2021 Nissan Maxima as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
3 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2021 – Apr 2024
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Structure1
- Electrical system1
- Other / unknown1
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
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine and engine cooling
1 report
“The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk and was shaking. The vehicle felt as though the brake pedal was being depressed. The oil light was flashing. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle was repaired. After driving the vehicle, the vehicle was parked, and his son noticed there was a puddle of oil underneath the vehicle. The vehicle failed to start. The contact checked the oil level and noticed there was no oil. The vehicle was towed back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with starter and an oil gasket failure. The dealer informed the contact that there was oil in the engine. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 72,600.”
Structure
1 report
“Going down a road in Tennessee on my way to my sons house in Fort Campbell. No cars on the road anywhere 545 in the morning and the sun roof explodes out of no where. Parts have been ordered and the car is in my possession till the parts come in so no forms to upload as of yet.”
Electrical system
1 report
“VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW WITH 4 MILES THEN AFTER 100MILES, THE CD CHANGER DOES NOT WORK AND THERE IS A DELAY IN THE ELECTRONIC COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE. THE ANLOG TEMP GAUGE IS WORKING BUT THE ELECTRONIC GAUGE DOES NOT COME ON TILL 20-30MINS OF DRIVING.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
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 Nov 10, 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-S7), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 30 | 24 | $3,200 | 370 |
- 24mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Nissan Maxima 4 DR FWD
- Frontal crash
- 5 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 5 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 9.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 15526
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.
2021 Maxima questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Maxima have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.
What are the most common 2021 Nissan Maxima problems?
Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (1), structure (1), electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2021 Nissan Maxima get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Nissan Maxima at 24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
How safe is the 2021 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Nissan Maxima 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026