BestCarRank
Nissan

2017 Nissan MAXIMA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Nissan MAXIMA has 152 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 126. The most common issue is other problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: driving down the road in our community all of a sudden a large bang and our sunroof exploded.. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 8 crash reports 7 injuries

152

Total Complaints

4

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

OTHER

25 complaints
16%
  • DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN OUR COMMUNITY ALL OF A SUDDEN A LARGE BANG AND OUR SUNROOF EXPLODED.
  • "TAKATA RECALL", I'VE OWNED MY CAR FOR 10 MONTHS AND I HAVE BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 6 OF THEM, AND TODAY NEED TO GO BACK BECAUSE MORE NOISE.
  • FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION: FRONT DISTANCE/RADAR SENSOR DEACTIVATES LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE COLLISION SAFETY FEATURES (FORWARD COLLISION WARNING, AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING AND INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL). THE SYSTEM WILL DEACTIVATE EITHER WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT. THE CAUSE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN OUR COMMUNITY ALL OF A SUDDEN A LARGE BANG AND OUR SUNROOF EXPLODED.

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Nissan MAXIMA

Based on 64 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 28K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
37
30-60K
16
60-100K
6
100-150K
5
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 29K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
4
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 28K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
2
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 23K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
2
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 41K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 34K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
1
60-100K
1
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

Later than typicalmedian 43K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
2
60-100K
0
100-150K
2
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.

Recalls (4)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP07/09/2018

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Nissan Murano, 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Nissan MAXIMA

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,920
Per month
$160
Per mile
16.0¢
MPG
25
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,286/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,600/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 2017 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
$1,511
Full coverage / month
$126
Liability only / year
$574
vs US avg
-10%
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 rating0.94x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$1511

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 2017 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

OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 152 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • OTHER: DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN OUR COMMUNITY ALL OF A SUDDEN A LARGE BANG AND OUR SUNROOF EXPLODED.

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

  • AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND NECK THAT REQUIRED MED

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

  • BODY/STRUCTURE: REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILS TO/DOES NOT CLOSE TIGHTLY/HERMETICALLY. I AM WORRIED THAT THE DOOR/WINDOW WOULD OPEN WHILE DRIVING.

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

  • TRANSMISSION: ON 11/13/2017 I USED THE AUTOMATIC STARTER TO START MY CAR FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE AND MY CAR ROLLED BACK INTO MY NEIGHBOR'S SUV WHILE STILL IN PARK. WHEN I WENT OUTSIDE AFTER HEARING THE SOUND OF MY CAR HITTING THE TRUCK I GOT INTO MY CAR AND HAD TO PUT IT IN DRIVE TO MOVE THE CAR BACK INTO MY PARK.

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

  • RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
152
Recalls
4
Fire reports
3
Crash reports
8
Injury reports
7
Segment avg
126

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2017 Nissan MAXIMA