Is the 2018 Nissan MAXIMA reliable?

The 2018 Nissan MAXIMA has 46 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: OTHER problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Nissan MAXIMA?

Top problems: OTHER (8 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (8 complaints, avg repair $500); DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (6 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Nissan MAXIMA?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP. Contact any Nissan dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Nissan MAXIMA?

The 2018 Nissan MAXIMA gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Nissan MAXIMA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Nissan MAXIMA is approximately $1,511/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.

2018 Nissan MAXIMA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Nissan MAXIMA has 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 126. The most common issue is other problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: driving a rented nissan maxima i encountered an issue i am concerned with. while changing a radio station i accidentally hit something that brought up a menu. trying to get back to the original screen i found myself on the ongoing lane. we should not be looking at a screen when driving. it sho. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 1 crash report 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

OTHER

8 complaints

17%

• DRIVING A RENTED NISSAN MAXIMA I ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE I AM CONCERNED WITH. WHILE CHANGING A RADIO STATION I ACCIDENTALLY HIT SOMETHING THAT BROUGHT UP A MENU. TRYING TO GET BACK TO THE ORIGINAL SCREEN I FOUND MYSELF ON THE ONGOING LANE. WE SHOULD NOT BE LOOKING AT A SCREEN WHEN DRIVING. IT SHO
• WARNING: UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION APPEARS ON TH DISPLAY ALONG WITH A LOUD BEEP.
• UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION. THIS ALERT HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN DRIVING, IT PUTS THE SENSOR IN AN UNAVAILABLE MODE WHICH IN TURNS DOES NOT ALLOW THE SAFETY FUNCTION TO WORK PROPERLY. I HAVE DONE SEARCHES ONLINE AND THIS IS HAPPENING NOT ONLY TO MAXIMAS BUT TO OTHER NISSAN MAKE/MODELS. T

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

“DRIVING A RENTED NISSAN MAXIMA I ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE I AM CONCERNED WITH. WHILE CHANGING A RADIO STATION I ACCIDENTALLY HIT SOMETHING THAT BROUGHT UP A MENU. TRYING TO GET BACK TO THE ORIGINAL SCREEN I FOUND MYSELF ON THE ONGOING LANE. WE SHOULD NOT BE LOOKING AT A SCREEN WHEN DRIVING. IT SHO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Nissan MAXIMA

Based on 26 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 39K 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+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 34K mi · 5 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.

Recalls (2)

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA12/09/2019

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Nissan MAXIMA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

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

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 2018 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

$1,511

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 2018 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

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 46 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: DRIVING A RENTED NISSAN MAXIMA I ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE I AM CONCERNED WITH. WHILE CHANGING A RADIO STATION I ACCIDENTALLY HIT SOMETHING THAT BROUGHT UP A MENU. TRYING TO GET BACK TO THE ORIGINAL SCREEN I FOUND MYSELF ON THE ONGOING LANE. WE SHOULD NOT BE LOOKING AT A SCREEN WHEN DRIVING. IT SHO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: BRAKE SYSTEM SENSORS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WARRING LIGHT APPEARS ON DASH AND READS: FRONT RADAR UNAVAILABLE DUE TO OBSTRUCTION.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE BRAKED SUDDENLY. HAWKINSON NISSAN (5513 MILLER CIRCLE DR, MATTESON, IL 60443, 708-304-3645) AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION. THIS ALERT HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN DRIVING, IT PUTS THE SENSOR IN AN UNAVAILABLE MODE WHICH IN TURNS DOES NOT ALLOW THE SAFETY FUNCTION TO WORK PROPERLY. I HAVE DONE SEARCHES ONLINE AND THIS IS HAPPENING NOT ONLY TO MAXIMAS BUT TO OTHER NISSAN MAKE/MODELS. T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)