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.
I kept my car maintenance, and everything. I was driving one day and the car just started making a whining noise, so I took it the shop and he hooked it up to diagnostic machine and later came back and told me code indicated my transmission!! I'm like really!!
This is my third Nissan car that I've owned. Never had a problem until I purchased one with a CVT transmission - my other two were a 1993 and a 2000. They started using cvt transmission in 2002 - now I will never buy another Nissan!! They are built to fail!!
Had to have the transmission rebuilt -- thankfully someone in our area could do that. Otherwise, I'd have bought a new one. Really disappointed that such a major component goes out with so few miles.
My car just started sounding like a wind up car I took it to the shop the first time and of course it didn’t do anything. The check engine light even went off. It did not give off a code or anything. The day after, WHINE WHINE WHINE! I took it back to the shop with the “service engine soon†light on and the whining (which once again stopped right as I get there). This time I was told that the CVT transmissions are known for their whining and that they have had lots of trouble. It also gave code P0826 Manual Mode Switch Circuit. This installed in the CVT device. This sends shift up and shift down signals to the transmission.
Nissan extended their CVT warranties and guess what!!! They cut it off at the 2010 model! I HAVE A 2011 MODEL!!! A 2011 model with the same problems as a 2010!!,
- Brandy B.,
BENTON, MO, US
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I kept my car maintenance, and everything. I was driving one day and the car just started making a whining noise, so I took it the shop and he hooked it up to diagnostic machine and later came back and told me code indicated my transmission!! I'm like really!!
This is my third Nissan car that I've owned. Never had a problem until I purchased one with a CVT transmission - my other two were a 1993 and a 2000. They started using cvt transmission in 2002 - now I will never buy another Nissan!! They are built to fail!!
- Tonya M., Garland, US