2011 Nissan MAXIMA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Nissan MAXIMA has 138 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.7x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: new 2011 nissan maxima. passenger side airbags sometimes fail to activate at all or activate only after driving several (12-15) miles with a passenger in the front passenger seat. situation has occurred routinely since taking delivery of vehicle on 10/14/10. consequently, front seat passengers ar.

6 crash reports 20 injuries

138

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

AIR BAGS

23 complaints

17%

• NEW 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS SOMETIMES FAIL TO ACTIVATE AT ALL OR ACTIVATE ONLY AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL (12-15) MILES WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SITUATION HAS OCCURRED ROUTINELY SINCE TAKING DELIVERY OF VEHICLE ON 10/14/10. CONSEQUENTLY, FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS AR
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED OR NOT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FO
• WE PURCHASED A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA IN NOVEMBER 2011 AND HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STAYING ON WHILE I AM SITTING IN THE SEAT. I WEIGH 115 LBS AND AM 5'1. I GOT NO HELP FROM THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“NEW 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS SOMETIMES FAIL TO ACTIVATE AT ALL OR ACTIVATE ONLY AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL (12-15) MILES WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SITUATION HAS OCCURRED ROUTINELY SINCE TAKING DELIVERY OF VEHICLE ON 10/14/10. CONSEQUENTLY, FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS AR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

22 complaints

16%

• TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE ALSO WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION CODE WAS RESET. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE DAY LATER.
• TRANSMISSION: THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON INDICATOR WAS ON SO I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE. WHEN I RECEIVED THE DIAGNOSIS I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR IS JUST 3YRS OLD AND HAS 98K MILES. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXP
• TSB NTB12-071- FACTORY BEARING PROBLEMS 2009 ? 2012 MAXIMA; ENGINE KNOCK FROM #1 MAIN BEARING 2009 ? 2012 MAXIMA (A35) NO.1 MAIN BEARING KNOCK NOISE CONFIRMATION USE THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA AND SYMPTOMS TO CONFIRM THE KNOCK NOISE IS COMING FROM THE NO. 1 CRANKSHAFT MAIN BEARING. KN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE ALSO WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION CODE WAS RESET. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE DAY LATER. ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

17 complaints

12%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO AVOID A CRASH AND THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ACCELERATION ABILITY WAS DISABLED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART THE VEHICLE. TEN MINUTES
• WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TONIGHT ON A REMOTE STRETCH OF HIGHWAY MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED OUT OF NOWHERE. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH AND THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 45-50 DEGREES SO I ALSO HAD THE HEATER ON INSIDE. I HAD THE SUNSHADE OPEN BUT THE TILTING PORTION OF THE ROOF
• I WAS IN ATLANTA, GA DRIVING DOWN UNION CITY ROAD WHEN I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. I HEARD GLASS BREAK AND LOOKED TO SEE IF MY BACK WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN. I PULLED OVER ONTO A SIDE STREET AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND REALIZED THAT MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. THERE WAS NOT ANOTHER CAR NOR TRUCK NEAR ME BEFORE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO AVOID A CRASH AND THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ACCELERATION ABILITY WAS DISABLED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART THE VEHICLE. TEN MINUTES”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

14 complaints

10%

• ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING, I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER WHO PULLED THE OIL PAN AND FOUND PIECES OF THE MAIN CRANKSHAFT BEARINGS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN. THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVING OK AND THE KNOCK COULD NOT BE HEARD FROM INSIDE THE CAR. NISSAN REPLACED THE SHORT BLOCK ENGINE. HAD I NOT NOTICE
• THE CAR HAS A PUSH BUTTON START AND COULD NOT BE TURNED-OFF. ALL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES IN THE MANUAL WERE FOLLOWED AND THE CAR COULD NOT BE TURNED-OFF. THE DEAL ACTUALLY LET THE CAR RUN UNTIL IT RAN OUT OF GAS. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THERE WAS ANY ISSUE WITH THE CAR UNTIL I WENT TO TURN IT OFF, THEN T
• TSB NTB12-071- FACTORY BEARING PROBLEMS 2009 ? 2012 MAXIMA; ENGINE KNOCK FROM #1 MAIN BEARING 2009 ? 2012 MAXIMA (A35) NO.1 MAIN BEARING KNOCK NOISE CONFIRMATION USE THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA AND SYMPTOMS TO CONFIRM THE KNOCK NOISE IS COMING FROM THE NO. 1 CRANKSHAFT MAIN BEARING. KN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING, I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER WHO PULLED THE OIL PAN AND FOUND PIECES OF THE MAIN CRANKSHAFT BEARINGS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN. THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVING OK AND THE KNOCK COULD NOT BE HEARD FROM INSIDE THE CAR. NISSAN REPLACED THE SHORT BLOCK ENGINE. HAD I NOT NOTICE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

12 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY LOCKING SECURITY FEATURE FAILED TO OPERATE BECAUSE THE IGNITION KEY WAS LEFT INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FOR ENTRANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FA
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT BULB HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE
• CAR PERIODICALLY GOES COMPLETELY DEAD EVEN WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF AND IN PARK POSITION . KEY LIGHT KEEPS ON BLINKING AND EVENTUALLY NOTHING WORKS. I HAVE TO GET ANOTHER CAR TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY FOR AT LEAST 3 MIN. THIS IS THE 3RD OCCURRENCE AND SECOND BATTERY. BROUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY LOCKING SECURITY FEATURE FAILED TO OPERATE BECAUSE THE IGNITION KEY WAS LEFT INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FOR ENTRANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 138 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: NEW 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS SOMETIMES FAIL TO ACTIVATE AT ALL OR ACTIVATE ONLY AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL (12-15) MILES WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SITUATION HAS OCCURRED ROUTINELY SINCE TAKING DELIVERY OF VEHICLE ON 10/14/10. CONSEQUENTLY, FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS AR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE ALSO WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION CODE WAS RESET. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE DAY LATER.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO AVOID A CRASH AND THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ACCELERATION ABILITY WAS DISABLED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART THE VEHICLE. TEN MINUTES
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING, I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER WHO PULLED THE OIL PAN AND FOUND PIECES OF THE MAIN CRANKSHAFT BEARINGS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN. THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVING OK AND THE KNOCK COULD NOT BE HEARD FROM INSIDE THE CAR. NISSAN REPLACED THE SHORT BLOCK ENGINE. HAD I NOT NOTICE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)