2014
New 2020
Used 2019 2018 2017 2016 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Nissan Maxima Change Vehicle

Unlock Ratings
The Maxima is a quick car, but it doesn't add much over the less costly Nissan Altima overall. While pleasant, it falls short in some ways. Handling is responsive, but at low speeds the steering is overly light. The car is quiet, and the ride is decent. But the new coupelike silhouette has compromised visibility, trunk room and rear-seat comfort.
2014
New 2020
Used 2019 2018 2017 2016 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Nissan Maxima

Reliability
See All
Owner Satisfaction
See All
Crash and Rollover Tests
IIHS Front Moderate Overlap Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver Acceptable
IIHS Side Crash Good
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Driver
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Passenger
See All

Road Test Results

Performance
Acceleration Acceleration Acceleration tests are conducted on a smooth, flat pavement straightaway at the track. Time, speed, and distance measurements are taken with a precise GPS-based device that’s hooked to a data-logging computer.
0 to 60 mph 0 to 60 mph (sec.) The time in seconds that a vehicle takes to reach 60 mph from a standstill with the engine idling.
Transmission Transmission Transmission performance is determined by shifting smoothness, response, shifter action, and clutch actuation for manual transmissions.
Fuel Economy Fuel Economy We perform our own fuel-economy tests, independent of the government's often-quoted EPA figures and the manufacturers' claims. Using a precise fuel-flow measuring device spliced into the fuel line, we run two separate circuits to represent city and highway consumption.
CR's Overall Mileage CR's Overall Mileage CR's overall mileage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course and highway cruising; and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving, if tested. In recent road tests, we've discontinued the 150-mile trip test.
CR's City Mileage CR's City Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course.
CR's Highway Mileage CR's Highway Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed highway cruising.
Annual Fuel Cost Annual Fuel Cost The cost and amount of fuel used in 12,000 miles and is calculated from CR's overall mileage.
Braking Braking The braking rating is a composite of wet and dry stopping distances and pedal feel. Braking distance is from 60 mph, with no wheels locked.
Emergency Handling Emergency Handling Several factors go into the rating, including the avoidance maneuver speed and confidence, as well as how the vehicle behaves when pushed to its limit.
Comfort / Convenience
Ride Ride Our expert judgment of how well the suspension isolates and absorbs road imperfections and how steady it keeps the body on various road surfaces.
Noise Noise Our expert judgment of the vehicle's interior noise level in everyday driving.
Front Seat Comfort Front Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the front seat is for drivers of various heights.
Rear Seat Comfort Rear Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the rear seat is for two passengers to sit across.
Interior Fit and Finish Interior Fit and Finish An expert evaluation of the interior quality and craftsmanship.
Trunk/Cargo Area Trunk/Cargo Area Our rating is based on the amount of luggage or cargo space that a vehicle has in the trunk or cargo area.

Owner Reports

Worse Better
Reliability History Reliability History The reliability charts are based on responses on hundreds of thousands of vehicles from our latest Annual Auto Survey. Consumer Reports subscribers reported on any serious problems they had with their vehicles during the past 12 months that they considered serious because of cost, failure, safety, or downtime, in any of the trouble spots included in the table below. The results are presented relative to the average model that year. Extra weight is given to the more serious areas such as major engine or transmission problems. Based on this data and further analysis, we predict reliability for the latest year. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
2000
2001
NA
2002
NA
2003
NA
2004
NA
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
NA
2008
NA
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
NA
Reliability Trouble Spots
Engine Major Engine Major Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
NA
Engine Minor Engine Minor Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.
NA
Engine Cooling Engine Cooling Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.
NA
Transmission Major Transmission Major Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.
NA
View all Reliability
Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
2000
2001
2002
NA
2003
2004
2005
NA
2006
NA
2007
2008
NA
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
NA
Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling
Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride
Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid?
Styling Styling How it looks inside and out
View all Owner Satisfaction
Safety Equipment
ABS available, standard from 2000. Side air bags available, standard from 2004. Head protection air bags standard from 2004. ESC available from 2004, standard from 2009.
Road Test

The Maxima is a quick car, but it doesn't add much over the less costly Nissan Altima overall. While pleasant, it falls short in some ways. Handling is responsive, but at low speeds the steering is overly light. The car is quiet, and the ride is decent. But the new coupelike silhouette has compromised visibility, trunk room and rear-seat comfort.

Seating
2 front, 3 rear
Drive Wheels
Front
Warranty

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Body Styles
sedan
Transmissions Available
  • CVT
Engines Available
  • 3.5-liter V6 (290 hp)

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2014 Nissan Maxima owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

What Owners Say

12V power plug

"One of my 12V power plugs just stopped working. I have not taken it in yet for repair"

Betty H., TX (2014 Nissan Maxima SV 3.5-L V6)
Body control module

"Key fob opened and locked doors correctly but did not open front windows as designed. Required more than 10 days of service time, a new body control module, and expense of a new key fob and reprogramming original key fob. I suspected that body module was not defective, but both local dealer and national customer service was little help in resolving the programming issue quickly."

Richard H., FL (2014 Nissan Maxima S 3.5-L V6)
Exterior lights (other than headlights)

"Signal lite out. Replaced bulb at dealership"

Anonymous, FL (2014 Nissan Maxima 3.5-L V6)

"Turn signal in right exterior mirror failed. Replaced under warranty. Caused by improper drainage of mirror housing"

David T., FL (2014 Nissan Maxima S 3.5-L V6)
Gauges

"The section of the panel that displays tire pressure, gas mileage, etc. failed. The entire speedometer cluster had to be replaced."

Anonymous, TX (2014 Nissan Maxima 3.5-L V6)

"Computer display below speedometer stopped working"

Kyle M., UT (2014 Nissan Maxima S 3.5-L V6)
Headlights

"The headlights are so dim that I have to use high beams to drive at night, especially on dark highways. The high beams look like they should be the regular headlights."

Anonymous, DC (2014 Nissan Maxima 3.5-L V6)

"Headlights are dim. Realignment of lights helped but I feel they are still substandard especially for driving in rural areas"

David T., FL (2014 Nissan Maxima S 3.5-L V6)
Wiper motor or washer

"The wipers suddenly stopped working while on high due to very heavy rain. They got stuck in the middle of the windshield. I could hear the motor running but the wipers didn't move. I took it to my mechanic who said the wiper arm broke but because the parts are not available individually, he has to replace the whole thing. The part is $290 and will take at least 3 hours to install because the entire area where the wipers are has to be disassembled."

Anonymous, DC (2014 Nissan Maxima 3.5-L V6)
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Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Loose exterior trim or moldings

"Driver's door handle would separate, cover from base, when pulled to open door. Noticed the defect prior to purchasing this used vehicle, but was able to have it replaced under warranty. Dealer did not have part, even though specifically disclosed when making initial service appointment. Required two separate, full day appointments to resolve."

Richard H., FL (2014 Nissan Maxima S 3.5-L V6)
Loose interior trim or moldings

"There's a small compartment at the point where the windshield meets the roof of the car, just in front of the sunroof. You could use it to keep your sunglasses or garage door opener. On our car, the door to this compartment won't stay latched, so it hangs down, distracting the driver. The dealer can't repair it and ordering a new one will cost several hundred dollars."

Bryan S., OK (2014 Nissan Maxima 3.5-L V6)

"had to replace entire roof cloth because of water leak/stain from "moon roof""

John B., FL (2014 Nissan Maxima 3.5-L V6)
Rust

"brake light kept coming on, then off, had to have brakes replaced - specifically, front and back brake pads and rotors were replaced but what they are attached to is rusted on all wheels (master cylinder?)."

Vinni H., IL (2014 Nissan Maxima 3.5-L V6)
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In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

In-dash navigation system (GPS)

"needs better programming"

Anonymous, IL (2014 Nissan Maxima SV 3.5-L V6)

"System does not reset after arriving at location thereby prevent adding new address"

Anonymous, CA (2014 Nissan Maxima SV 3.5-L V6)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"Just wouldn't pair. Had to go to bluetooth on phone and turn off and on"

Anonymous, FL (2014 Nissan Maxima SV 3.5-L V6)

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Power steering leaks

"steering became harder and harder to steer/turn took to the dealer and they found a leak and determined the power steering pump was broke"

Larry S., KS (2014 Nissan Maxima S 3.5-L V6)
Power steering pumps and hoses

"The power steering pump failed in the first 800 miles, made the car almost impossible to drive"

Donald D., OH (2014 Nissan Maxima SV 3.5-L V6)
Wheel bearings

"Wheel noise repaired by replacing wheel bearing assembly front wheels left and right"

Anonymous, PA (2014 Nissan Maxima S 3.5-L V6)

Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"rattle in dash"

J F., NY (2014 Nissan Maxima 3.5-L V6)

"Rattling noise coming from behind rear seats, probably because of some loose fasteners. Was fixed during the first week of ownership, but now is back"

Anonymous, PA (2014 Nissan Maxima SV 3.5-L V6)
Wind noise

"Wind noise through sunroof"

Anonymous, CA (2014 Nissan Maxima SV 3.5-L V6)

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

What Owners Say

Seat controls - movement

"The setting for the #2 position driving position does not hold the memory setting for the steering wheel. The steering wheel slowly sets itself to a lower position."

Joseph V., AZ (2014 Nissan Maxima SV 3.5-L V6)
Sunroof

"The Sunroof glass exploded for no apparent reason while driving on the freeway. Being that the warranty period had just expired they would not work with me to fix it. They speculated a rock could have hit it, which I felt was highly improbable, and I felt it was a defect. This could have caused a high speed accident had the sliding cover not been closed to prevent shattered glass from entering the interior of the car."

Joseph V., AZ (2014 Nissan Maxima SV 3.5-L V6)

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

What Owners Say

Battery (not hybrid or electric)

"The car eats through batteries well before their normal lifespan, and no one can figure out why."

Anonymous, CA (2014 Nissan Maxima S 3.5-L V6)
Electronic ignition

"Bad O2 sensor ...replaced"

Allan F., MN (2014 Nissan Maxima SV 3.5-L V6)

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

What Owners Say

Fuel injection system

"after dealer changed oil and air filter the performance of the v6 engine droped drastically. The dealer checked it out and could not find any issues even though the repair rep said the car did not accelerate like similar Maxima vehicles."

Terrance C., TX (2014 Nissan Maxima SV 3.5-L V6)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

What Owners Say

Oil leaks

"oil cooler leaked. was replaced under warranty. Took 4 visits because of the mess of oil and smell of burning oil. Never needed to add oil between changes, but was a hassle. All fixed now"

Anonymous, IL (2014 Nissan Maxima SV 3.5-L V6)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

What Owners Say

Other/unsure

"passenger airbag light is on and unable to be fixed unless seat cushion is removed fro well over $1218.00. Passenger is at risk if every in car accident."

Vinni H., IL (2014 Nissan Maxima 3.5-L V6)

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

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