Is the 2012 Nissan MAXIMA reliable?

The 2012 Nissan MAXIMA has 137 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Nissan MAXIMA?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (27 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (25 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (20 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Nissan MAXIMA?

No recalls have been issued for the 2012 Nissan MAXIMA.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Nissan MAXIMA?

The 2012 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 2012 Nissan MAXIMA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Nissan MAXIMA is approximately $1,449/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.

2012 Nissan MAXIMA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Nissan MAXIMA has 137 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 126. The most common issue is air bags problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: passenger side air bag intermittently (a lot!) does not have an airbag for 130+ pound person, but does have airbag for 80lb child. have had to the dealership multiple times, nissan reports that this is within their specifications; they have dismissed the complaint. i have further reported to nissa. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 10 crash reports 10 injuries

137

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

27 complaints

20%

• PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INTERMITTENTLY (A LOT!) DOES NOT HAVE AN AIRBAG FOR 130+ POUND PERSON, BUT DOES HAVE AIRBAG FOR 80LB CHILD. HAVE HAD TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES, NISSAN REPORTS THAT THIS IS WITHIN THEIR SPECIFICATIONS; THEY HAVE DISMISSED THE COMPLAINT. I HAVE FURTHER REPORTED TO NISSA
• WHEN ANY ADULT SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHO IS NOT HEAVY WILL NOT ENABLE THE AIRBAG. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IS HOW IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE BUT THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN ANY OTHER CAR. *TR
• AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN A 200 LB ADULT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT BUT MORE OFTEN THEN NOT. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE IF SOMEONE IS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 5 crashes

“PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INTERMITTENTLY (A LOT!) DOES NOT HAVE AN AIRBAG FOR 130+ POUND PERSON, BUT DOES HAVE AIRBAG FOR 80LB CHILD. HAVE HAD TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES, NISSAN REPORTS THAT THIS IS WITHIN THEIR SPECIFICATIONS; THEY HAVE DISMISSED THE COMPLAINT. I HAVE FURTHER REPORTED TO NISSA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Nissan MAXIMA

Based on 104 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 54K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 31K mi · 22 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 39K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Reported earliermedian 29K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 54K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 55K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 43K mi · 9 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 2012 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 2012 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

$1,449

Full coverage / month

$121

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

-13%

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 rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1449

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 2012 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

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 137 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INTERMITTENTLY (A LOT!) DOES NOT HAVE AN AIRBAG FOR 130+ POUND PERSON, BUT DOES HAVE AIRBAG FOR 80LB CHILD. HAVE HAD TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES, NISSAN REPORTS THAT THIS IS WITHIN THEIR SPECIFICATIONS; THEY HAVE DISMISSED THE COMPLAINT. I HAVE FURTHER REPORTED TO NISSA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR IN MAY 2013 I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL TIMES THAT WITH OR WITHOUT SOMEONE IN MY PASSENGER SEAT MY AIR BAG SENSOR WILL LIGHT UP SHOWING THAT THE AIR BAG IS OFF NO MATTER HOW I OR THE PERSON IN THE SEAT MOVES IT WILL NOT COME ON. THE AIR BAG JUST REMAINS TURNED OFF. THIS IS A HUGE SA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I WAS DRIVING SOUTH OF THE NJ TURNPIKE I HEARD A LOUD BOOM SOUND AND VIBRATIONS ON THE ACCELERATOR I LOOKED IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND SAW DEBRIS AND A CLOUD OF SMOKE. SMELLS OF SOMETHING BURNING ALSO THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF MY CAR. I IMMEDIATELY S
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: I PURCHASED MY NISSAN MAXIMA BAND NEW TWO YEARS AGO. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS MY VEHICLE RECEIVED ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE, WHICH WAS PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. AT 67,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT 'IT JUST HAPPENS SOMETIME
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)