CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2008 Maxima continues a very good model year (2007 is also good) with an extremely low complaint rate & no major defects. Beware of Maximas from 2009, & 2004-2006 though.

Nissan Maximas from 2004-2006 have a widespread transmission defect, but judging from our complaint data, Nissan fixed the problem starting with the 2007 model.

The 2009 Maxima has an expensive problem where the steering lock prevents the car from starting, & costs upwards of $1,000 to fix!

1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,565 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Nissan Maxima body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2008 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments

problem #16

Jan 222023

Maxima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Heavy Rust/corrosion/hole in driver & passenger floorboard. Visible from underneath vehicle when the vehicle is up on the lift. I-??m concerned my feet will go through the floor. Inspected by an authorized auto body shop and they confirmed this is very unsafe and a manufacture defect.

- Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, USA

problem #15

Nov 182018

Maxima

  • 159,623 miles
Floorboards rusted out.

- Mertztown, PA, USA

problem #14

May 242016

Maxima

  • 87,000 miles
I have a 2008 Nissan Maxima and I noticed that on the bottom of the car on the passenger side the floor board is rusted pretty bad. I was getting my brakes and rotors changed when I noticed the problem. My cousins friend was over his house when he was doing my brakes and rotors and said Nissan are known for rust problems under the passenger side of the car and when I looked what do you know its all rusted. I looked up about Nissan rust problems and tons of complaints have been filed and Nissan doesnt want to take responsibility for this rust problem. I hope there will be a recall to get these rust issues resolved and Nissan fixes these problems

- Coventry, RI, USA

problem #13

Mar 192017

Maxima

  • 190,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased this vehicle new in 2008. The vehicle is in excellent condition and has been serviced and washed on a regular basis. When I stepped into the passenger side I felt my foot sink into the passenger front floor board. I lifted the floor mat up and to my surprise I could push down on the carpet through the bottom of the vehicle. I checked the drivers front floor pan and observed the same corrosion. The only thing that will keep my feet in the car is the carpeting. I took it to a local body shop and they would not even work on it. After checking on the internet I was surprised to find so many complaints from consumers regarding the Maxima and Altima's. I now have a vehicle that is unsafe for the road and the integrity of the vehicle is in question.

- Waukesha, WI, USA

problem #12

Oct 182016

Maxima

  • miles
Driver and passenger floor rusted big whole on both side. Just look under the car this week when I took it to the mechanic

- Keasbey, NJ, USA

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problem #11

Apr 282016

Maxima

  • 115,000 miles
I was driving down a highway at about 60 mph and all of a sudden I heard a loud pop and my sun roof shattered into a million pieces. There was no car anywhere around nor did anything fall and hit it.

- Polo, IL, USA

problem #10

Jan 192016

Maxima

  • 148,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2008 Nissan Maxima sl floorboards have rusted on both the driver and passenger sides. The rust was so bad, the car would not pass the state of Pennsylvania vehicle inspection. I had to have a body shop cut out the floorboards on both sides, weld in new supports, floorboard and then reseal and repair carpet. This was a defect as to the way the corrosion occurred, moisture trapped in between layers of flooring. In addition, it is not a place anyone normally examines, as most cars don't have this type of defect. The repair cost me $850, just so I felt safe in the vehicle and it would pass inspection. The company doing the repair told me all I had between my feet and the road was carpet liner.

- Slippery Rock, PA, USA

problem #9

Dec 162015

Maxima

  • 112,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Maxima. The contact noticed a crack near the front passenger side air bag on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they were unable to repair the dashboard due to it being above the air bag. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.

- Cordoda, TN, USA

problem #8

Jan 072016

Maxima

  • miles
Brought my 2008 Nissan Maxima in for an oil change and noticed extreme rust under the passenger side seat. The rest of the car is spotless underneath, no rust anywhere else. Took the car to a couple body shops and they said it is most likely from a leak inside the car caused by poor sealing when the car was built. This is definitely a manufacturing problem and needs to be addressed by Nissan. This has been years in the making and now starting to show. Of course it is out of warranty and the Nissan crooks will not take blame for it. I have had 3 Nissan vehicles in my lifetime and it is an absolute shame that they will not do anything about it. They know they are building the vehicle improperly but they know the issue will not present itself until after the warranty is expired, leaving them to take no responsibility. I hope someone at Nissan is reading this and I hope a lawsuit occurs in the near future. I have attached pictures for your displeasure.

- Whitehall, PA, USA

problem #7

Feb 142015

Maxima

  • miles
Vehicle hesitates to shift the transmission during acceleration. Most noticeable while the vehicle is going up an hill. The transmission produce a whining sound if the pedal is depressed to increase the acceleration. Transmission was replaced at just below 33,000 miles by the dealer. The ABS motor is running intermittently when the surface is dry and no rain or snow. This car was taken to the dealer numerous times without being repaired or an accurate diagnosis of the problem. The hinges on the hood and the doors are rusting.

- White Plains, NY, USA

problem #6

Apr 062015

Maxima

  • 98,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After seeing a today show report earlier in 2015 about under carriage rust in Nissan Altima's, I decided I should take a look underneath my 2008 Maxima. Sure enough, there are two large holes rusted all the way through on the driver and passenger side in the same spot. I was a little infuriated that the today show report stated this is only an issue with Nissan Altima's made between specific years.... that's not the case! this simply can't be a coincidence. This is clearly a manufacturing defect on the part of Nissan, and it needs to be addressed as a safety recall. As someone who lives in the upper mid-West, I have to deal with road salt and snow for most of the year. If these holes are completely exposing the inside of my car, how can that be considered safe? I've been quoted for $600 from a Nissan dealership to fix this issue. That's simply not going to happen... Nissan needs to own up to the fact that this is a safety issue, and needs to be address on their expense. By not addressing this issue, I'm forced to consider selling a car that otherwise is in near perfect condition. On top of it all, it makes me never want to buy a Nissan again, and I will lobby against any friend or family member purchasing a Nissan. This is simply a poor business practice.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #5

Jun 172014

Maxima

  • 70,000 miles
Was informed by Nissan at the time that the floor boards in my 2008 Nissan Maxima were beginning to rot. Vehicle was brought to Nissan dealership on July 20, 2015 and was told at this time there is extensive rot on both the drivers side floorboard and passengers side. Was also told that since the vehicle is out of warranty there is nothing Nissan can do. So now I am forced to either pay to have it fixed or get rid of the vehicle that runs perfectly fine.

- Ashland, MA, USA

problem #4

Oct 062014

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
The driver and front passenger side floorboards are rusting away to the point of necessary repairs. Nissan is not willing to fix this obvious manufacturing defect. Today, 4/6/15, there was a television piece which aired on nbc's today show talking about the same issue I am having with my car to Nissan Altima's. the Maxima is a sister car the Altima. Nissan needs to address this serious safety issue in Altima's and Maxima's.

- Carmel, IN, USA

problem #3

Aug 192014

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 101,047 miles
I noticed that there was rust on the passenger side undercarriage of my 2008 Nissan Maxima. When I put the vehicle on a lift I was stunned to see that the entire front passenger side undercarriage is completely rusted out and the drivers side is starting to rust. I contacted Nissan and they basically said too bad. Is there any type of action that I can take against Nissan to remedy this situation? it appears that this is a common problem.

- Warwick, RI, USA

problem #2

Dec 062013

Maxima

  • 92,000 miles
Floor boards have rusted out to carpet on both sides of the vehicle. Car is 5 years old and now a safety hazard. I am the original owner, has been well taken care of.

- Manchester Center, VT, USA

problem #1

Jul 042013

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 49,367 miles
I got into my car and tried to start it and the ignition would not turn. This has happen several times since we purchased the car October 2007. We were told it was a built in safety factor and just turn the steering wheel and it would work. Well I tried to turn the wheel several times and it would not budge. I then tried to get out of my car and couldn't. I also could not open the windows because they are power windows and without the car running you cannot operate them.( you can check the records July 4th was an extremely hot day, in the 80's at that time) I finally I climbed over the gear shift and center console to get to the passenger door which I was able to open. ( I am 75 years old so you can imagine it was not easy, nor would it be for anyone. When my son came home from work he tried and was finally able to turn the steering wheel but said it took everything to turn it, and then he was able to start the car. This is a safety hazard not a safety factor. I will never buy a Nissan again.

- Marlton, NJ, USA

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