CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2011 Nissan Maxima is a good reliable vehicle overall. There's a slight trend of transmission failure just before 100,000 miles, but not widespread enough to be a major concern. Beware of Maximas from 2009-2010, and 2004-2006 though.
The 2009-2010 Maxima has an expensive problem where the steering lock prevents the car from starting, & costs upwards of $1,000 to fix.
Nissan Maximas from 2004-2006 have a widespread transmission defect, but judging from our complaint data, Nissan fixed the transmission problem starting with the 2007 model.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,333 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.
I noticed the camera not working when I was backing into my garage after work. Then again the next day when I was backing into my parking space at work. It comes and go now. I'm not sure why it started.
When locking and unlocking doors, the drivers door is not responding from the remote, same exact thing on my murano, and then effecting the fuel door cap.
My brake light and battery light come on at the same time. My went dead in the middle of a turn. I replaced the battery. Had the alternator checked. Was told it was fine. After a new battery my car runs fine but loses power and hesitates like its going to stall from take off or entering a turn and my brake and battery are still coming on at the same time. I googled the issue and it appears be a long standing issue no real resolution. I took it to autozone they did diagnostic test and I got code P0011 the same one I paid to be repaired previously.
My transmission messed up on me with 114,000 miles! brand new almost and when it would go over 45 it won't catch my gears the RPM would go stay put and make a loud whining noise!!
- San Antonio, TX, USA
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S10 direct reply - letter expressing safety concerns with the 2011 Nissan Maxima safety, defect, and compliance. The consumer stated the vehicle was involved in a crash. Controlling the speed and direction of the vehicle became difficult. The steering wheel turned loosely and became unresponsive. The passengers received life threatening injuries. See also ODI 10816663.
Starter motor failure. Intermittent on and off. Failing starter produces noise when stationary and in motion. Check engine light is intermittent. Diagnosed and confirmed failure in starter.
The vehicle was in motion. While turning steering wheel slightly left entering into a curve, the 4 tires of the vehicle did not follow the command given by the steering wheel. Please note that the steering wheel turned with great ease. While removing foot from accelerator, the car did not slow. The brakes were not working properly and caused the 2011 Nissan Maxima to collide with a fixed object. This incident did not occur at a speed fast enough to cause the severe injuries that resulted. The driver side airbag knocked me unconscious and I have no recollection from the moment right before "impact" to when the vehicle came to a complete stop. The children in the back seat were seriously injured. The 10 year old was wearing his seatbelt properly. The 3 year old was in a 5 point harness properly restrained. Recently, the office of [xxx] informed me that the back seat came loose during the accident which caused both children's severe injuries. The children in the back seat were not adequately protected by the vehicle due to the back seat unhooking during the accident therefore causing safety restraints to be inadequate and possibly even more harmful. I also want to mention that the left rear passenger airbag did not deploy where the 10 year old was. The vehicle is poorly designed to survive even a minor collision. I have not been able to access the vehicle since the accident and Georgia state patrol tore it up before I could even have it inspected. I do not know where the vehicle is nor am I able to get that information. Georgia state patrol documented that the air bag on the left rear side did deploy but that document is inaccurate because I am a witness. I pray that this information will be used to prevent any and all similar incidents from occurring. I pray that you investigate similar claims and find enough evidence to get these dangerous cars off the road. See also ODI 11130128. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Car periodically goes completely dead even when it is turned off and in park position. Key light keeps on blinking and eventually nothing works. I have to get another car to recharge the battery for at least 3 min. This is the 3rd occurrence and second battery. Brought the car brand new.
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the passenger's side brake light failed several times. The dealer replaced the brake light bulb however the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 75,567.
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated the key locking security feature failed to operate because the ignition key was left inside of the vehicle. An independent mechanic was able to unlock the door for entrance. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lawton, OK, USA