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.
My 2011 Nissan Maxima started silently clicking on December 25, 2013 while driving, yet it was driving smoothly even though producing a shallow clicking noise without any engine lights. As I continued to drive the car the short distance back to my house, the clicking noise starting getting louder and louder. The 27th of December I had it towed to the local Nissan dealership (after having to back it out of the driveway for the tow truck driver and then move it again because he couldn't line up his truck).
The local dealership had us submit proof of maintenance of which we do on our own because of past problems having cars serviced or oil changes performed. In order to prove there was no buildup in the engine we agreed to pay to have the oil pan pulled to prove regular maintenance. After the dealership decided the engine was not gummed up, they found metal shavings in the oil pan. They decided at this point that the short block was damaged and needed to be replaced under the factory warranty. When pulling the engine apart, they discovered damage and debris on the #4 Cylinder which has destroyed the head. Long story short, now we are at a standstill with pieces of our Maxima scattered under the car at the Nissan dealership. Nissan now has decided not to cover the engine, the car is still on the lift at Sutherlin Nissan in Orlando and the communication with the dealership is lacking.
Right now, we would at a minimum like to know how much it will cost to get the car back and even requested an estimate by e-mail on Friday, January 10th. We still do not have an estimate. We have owned a Nissan Sentra and 2 Nissan Titans over the past few years. There are 2 Murano's and another Titan in the immediate family. This is the first Nissan Maxima we have owned and the first Nissan to give us problems. We are very disappointed with Nissan in that this is an item that is clearly under warranty, and stated so by them, has now become a potential money pit to no fault of our own. Our disciplined maintenance and spic and span internals prove zero negligence on our part.
How can we maintain any confidence and have piece of mind (of which we paid for in such a new vehicle) only to have Nissan pretend to stand behind their product and 'make it right'. We would just like Nissan to actually stand behind their product, which is under warranty, and should have the full backing of the manufacturer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My 2011 Nissan Maxima started silently clicking on December 25, 2013 while driving, yet it was driving smoothly even though producing a shallow clicking noise without any engine lights. As I continued to drive the car the short distance back to my house, the clicking noise starting getting louder and louder. The 27th of December I had it towed to the local Nissan dealership (after having to back it out of the driveway for the tow truck driver and then move it again because he couldn't line up his truck).
The local dealership had us submit proof of maintenance of which we do on our own because of past problems having cars serviced or oil changes performed. In order to prove there was no buildup in the engine we agreed to pay to have the oil pan pulled to prove regular maintenance. After the dealership decided the engine was not gummed up, they found metal shavings in the oil pan. They decided at this point that the short block was damaged and needed to be replaced under the factory warranty. When pulling the engine apart, they discovered damage and debris on the #4 Cylinder which has destroyed the head. Long story short, now we are at a standstill with pieces of our Maxima scattered under the car at the Nissan dealership. Nissan now has decided not to cover the engine, the car is still on the lift at Sutherlin Nissan in Orlando and the communication with the dealership is lacking.
Right now, we would at a minimum like to know how much it will cost to get the car back and even requested an estimate by e-mail on Friday, January 10th. We still do not have an estimate. We have owned a Nissan Sentra and 2 Nissan Titans over the past few years. There are 2 Murano's and another Titan in the immediate family. This is the first Nissan Maxima we have owned and the first Nissan to give us problems. We are very disappointed with Nissan in that this is an item that is clearly under warranty, and stated so by them, has now become a potential money pit to no fault of our own. Our disciplined maintenance and spic and span internals prove zero negligence on our part.
How can we maintain any confidence and have piece of mind (of which we paid for in such a new vehicle) only to have Nissan pretend to stand behind their product and 'make it right'. We would just like Nissan to actually stand behind their product, which is under warranty, and should have the full backing of the manufacturer.
- Kerri P., Orlando, FL, US