BestCarRank
Nissan

2014 Nissan MAXIMA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2014 Nissan MAXIMA has 126 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 126. The most common issue is air bags problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: passenger airbag light is on indicating airbag is off when my wife sits in the passenger seat. she is 5'3" and weights approximately 102lbs. took it to dealer, autonation lewisville, tx. after consulting with nissan they said it was functioning normally. it is not functioning normally and is a s. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 16 crash reports 7 injuries

126

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

24 complaints
19%
  • PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON INDICATING AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SHE IS 5'3" AND WEIGHTS APPROXIMATELY 102LBS. TOOK IT TO DEALER, AUTONATION LEWISVILLE, TX. AFTER CONSULTING WITH NISSAN THEY SAID IT WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. IT IS NOT FUNCTIONING NORMALLY AND IS A S
  • PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG STAYS LIT INDICATING THAT AIR BAG IS OFF AND WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THIS OCCURS WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS INTERMITTENT WHEN TAKING IT TO THE DEALER IF THE LIGHT IS OFF I AM TOLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY
  • PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES SHOWING THAT NOBODY IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN IN FACT THERE IS SOMEBODY SITTING THERE. TO ME THIS MEANS THAT IF A CRASH OCCURRED WITH SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE INDICATOR SHOWS NOBODY THERE, THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON INDICATING AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SHE IS 5'3" AND WEIGHTS APPROXIMATELY 102LBS. TOOK IT TO DEALER, AUTONATION LEWISVILLE, TX. AFTER CONSULTING WITH NISSAN THEY SAID IT WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. IT IS NOT FUNCTIONING NORMALLY AND IS A S

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2014 Nissan MAXIMA

Based on 88 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 53K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
25
30-60K
24
60-100K
25
100-150K
11
150-200K
3
200K+
0

AIR BAGS

Later than typicalmedian 35K mi · 20 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
9
60-100K
4
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

Later than typicalmedian 43K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
3
60-100K
1
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 56K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
3
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

High-mileage issuemedian 74K mi · 14 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
3
60-100K
6
100-150K
2
150-200K
1
200K+
0

LIGHTING

High-mileage issuemedian 90K mi · 10 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
1
60-100K
5
100-150K
4
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

High-mileage issuemedian 74K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
1
60-100K
3
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

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 2014 Nissan MAXIMA

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,182
Per month
$182
Per mile
18.2¢
MPG
22
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
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 2014 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.
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 2014 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
LIGHTING(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~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 126 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON INDICATING AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SHE IS 5'3" AND WEIGHTS APPROXIMATELY 102LBS. TOOK IT TO DEALER, AUTONATION LEWISVILLE, TX. AFTER CONSULTING WITH NISSAN THEY SAID IT WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. IT IS NOT FUNCTIONING NORMALLY AND IS A S

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED OVER THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TH

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • LIGHTING: RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 2014 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM THAT THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR; OPAQUE AND YELLOWING MATERIAL INSIDE THE SEALED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WHICH CANNOT BE ACCESSED. BOTH HEA

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: I PURCHASED A 2014 NISSAN MAXIMA IN JANUARY 2015 EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN MARCH OF 2015 WHERE THE CONSOLE SCREEN (RADIO, HEAT/AC CONTROLS, GAS MILEAGE, ETC.) CONSTANTLY BLACKED OUT/VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL LINES APPEARED. THE SCREEN WAS COMPLETELY REPLACED AND THE REPAIR WA

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
126
Recalls
0
Fire reports
1
Crash reports
16
Injury reports
7
Segment avg
126

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2014 Nissan MAXIMA