Is the 2011 Nissan MAXIMA reliable?

The 2011 Nissan MAXIMA has 138 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Nissan MAXIMA?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (23 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (22 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (17 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Nissan MAXIMA?

No recalls have been issued for the 2011 Nissan MAXIMA.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Nissan MAXIMA?

The 2011 Nissan MAXIMA gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Nissan MAXIMA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Nissan MAXIMA is approximately $1,366/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Nissan MAXIMA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Nissan MAXIMA has 138 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 126. 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

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

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

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Nissan MAXIMA

Based on 82 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 70K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 100-150K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Earlier than typicalmedian 26K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Earlier than typicalmedian 50K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 95K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 67K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 87K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 112K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Nissan MAXIMA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Nissan MAXIMA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,366

Full coverage / month

$114

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1366

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Nissan MAXIMA Service Intervals

Oil change

5K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

105K mi

Spark plugs

105K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2011 MAXIMA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

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)