CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2012 Nissan Maxima is a very good reliable vehicle, continuing a stretch of good model years from 2010. Beware of Maximas from 2009, and 2004-2006 though.

The 2009 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.

For the 2012 Maxima, so far so good!

2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,576 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.

2012 Nissan Maxima drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments

problem #16

Oct 162021

Maxima 6-cyl

  • miles

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

This CVT control variable transmission in these cars go out so fast. The CVT transmission went out at around 115,000. We replace it because we pressed the gas and no acceleration when stop light turned green. Then missed the light then it accelerated late and almost got hit by on coming car. We just replaced this CVT transmission in July 30, 2020 at around about price of $5000. The only place that it can be replaced is through the Nissan dealership. They only guarantee their work for 1 years time. It is starting to malfunction in just over 14 months time. This is only after a little over a year worth of driving. This is ridiculous the amount of money people pay for them on to get $5000 worth of quality equipment. This is a safety hazard driving through Dallas traffic and no shoulder to pull over on because of construction. I have seen on the internet so many complaints about these CVT transmissions. This is the second time transmission problems already replace CVT at 115, 000 miles. Now needs another replacement at 139, 000?

- Cache, OK, USA

problem #15

Jun 152021

Maxima

  • 87,200 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started to hesitate. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was awaiting the repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,200.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #14

Apr 082021

Maxima

  • 112,000 miles
Upon coming to a stop the car does not want to accelerate, it jerks sometimes, if you go check on any Nissan forum or youtube comments you will see this is a major problem with these vehicles and can cause serious harm in traffic or crossing intersections, I am very surprised there hasnt been a recall yet. Its the cvt transmission! thousands of people have this problem and the extended warranty cuts off in 2011 so 2012 or newer we are S.O.L. it happens everytime I stop.

- Masury, OH, USA

problem #13

Sep 162019

Maxima

  • 158,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Maxima. While driving 35 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated when accelerating. The contact called fred anderson Nissan of raleigh (located at 9225 glenwood ave, raleigh, nc 27617, (919) 324-3443) and informed them of the failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 158,000.

- Creedmoor, NC, USA

problem #12

Jun 292019

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 92,500 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Maxima. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle decelerated and accelerated. The vehicle was shut off and restarted, but the failure recurred. The contact called dave wright Nissan at 319-393-0640 (located at 999 boyson rd, hiawatha, ia 52233) and was informed to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, stated that there was no recall, and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 92,500.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

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problem #11

Feb 252019

Maxima

  • 94,000 miles
Takata recall. When driving the vehicle between 40 -50 the rpms would jump then go back down and jump again, this started 2 weeks ago, while driving the car today in traffic, the car did not want to move then jumped into gear and back out. Nissan knows that this is a big problem, and they need to address the problem.

- Essex Jct, VT, USA

problem #10

Jun 232015

Maxima

  • 45,000 miles

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

Currently at 130,000 miles, original owner, I just replaced my 3rd and 4th front wheel bearings, one of which was a genuine Nissan part. Failures were not critical but their "loose" condition would not pass state inspection criteria. Prior to this, the original front bearings separately experienced critical road failures with excess noise, heat and separation. Bearings were replaced at 79,000 (left) and 45,000 miles (right). Maintenance records are available.

- Macedon, NY, USA

problem #9

Aug 082018

Maxima

  • 109,000 miles
My car began to make a whining sound at acceleration over 60 miles per hours intermittently. The car was sold to me as certified pre-owned car at 54K miles in 2015. I have only driven it a little over 50K miles personally. The check engine light came on and I took it to my mechanic who pulled the code P01778 step motor function from the system. I notified Nissan who told me I had to have their mechanic assess the car. I dropped it off and they pulled the same code. The cvt transmission has failed. There is a 7th generation Maxima facebook page that is full of owners that discuss this very issue all of the time. It is referred to as a cvt boom! youtube is full of videos that discuss the fact that Nissan knew this was an issue so much so that the european version of this car came with a cooler and the american version did not! there is a class action for some models why not this one??

- New Castle, DE, USA

problem #8

Jul 212018

Maxima

  • 83,508 miles
I was driving my Maxima on cruise control at 70 mph and the RPM was fluctuating while driving on the freeway from 2000 to 3000 RPM. It would not go from there and the car dropped speed. This happened various of times throughout my travel. I looked up problems it could of been and I walked into a blog with many Nissan consumers experiencing the same problem on their cvt transmission for their vehicle.

- El Centro, CA, USA

problem #7

Jun 042018

Maxima

  • 90,000 miles
Vehicle would not accelerate moving from a stopped position on city road with a 45 mile per hour speed limit. Also sluggish on a turn. Would accelerate slowly then jump to a higher acceleration. Was advised by dealer to not drive it and bring in. Was found to have 3 kill codes which meant it needed a new transmission to the tune of $4300. Car had 90,000 miles and is well maintained. No Nissan extended warranty for this model year on the powertrain. Was advised other years powertrain warranty was extended by Nissan. Nissan needs to extend warranty as this problem has occurred on many 2012 models.

- Frankfort, IL, USA

problem #6

Jun 152018

Maxima

  • 81,000 miles

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

Car has trans code P1778, while traveling at 75mph car will lose power and rpms jump very high with no acceleration. Car only has 81,000 miles, why is it that 1,000S of vehicles have this same issue but nothing is being done for the consumers? shame on Nissan and the federal govt.

- Nekoosa, WI, USA

problem #5

May 092018

Maxima

  • 58,000 miles
On city street at red light vehicle would not pull off from red light. Big cloud of smoke from hood and would not move forward or backwards. In the course of turning at light became stuck in intersection. Towed to dealer and blown cvt hose. Car has only 58K miles and just months outside of warranty. Dealer asking $650 and said it admitted it could happen again in 50K. Tow bill and rental car cost charged to owner. Cvt are noted as problematic but manufacturer only replacing years 2010 and earlier, but online search reveals same or more issues with years 2011 and later. Discovered parts cost to be $150 and not sure of units of cvt fluid since it didn't all leak out. Unethical service again stated I'd run over some article like a tire to cause this issue. Went onsite and went over vehicle with dealer mechanic and no underneath scratches and vehicle has skid pan to prevent such occurrences. Received call from Nissan consumer complaints advising there was nothing they could/would do.

- Powder Springs, GA, USA

problem #4

Jul 032017

Maxima

  • 110,000 miles
My transmission started slipping a few weeks ago at right after the warranty expired. It's

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #3

Feb 112017

Maxima

  • 118,000 miles
Transmission failed at 64,000 miles and stopped while driving on the road, unable to accelerate. I replaced the transmission and it failed again a second time while driving on the road. Delaership says I need another transmission. Failure happened while driving on the road.

- Hurleyville, NY, USA

problem #2

Mar 232016

Maxima

  • miles
This is my second Nissan Maxima that has experienced problems with the transmission. Every Maxima I buy every time the car reaches 100,000 and is out of warranty the transmissions goes out. I contacted Nissan to have someone look into this as a problem with their vehicles and they informed me that they hadn't received and complaints about transmissions.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #1

Apr 222014

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
I purchased my Nissan Maxima band new two years ago. Over the past two years my vehicle received all required maintenance, which was performed at the dealership where I purchased the vehicle. At 67,000 miles the transmission completely failed. I was told by the dealer that 'it just happens sometimes with performance engines'. the transmission is under warranty, but I am now totally disenchanted with the vehicle. I keep vehicles for the lifetime of a car. I still have a 2000 Honda Accord with over 300,000 miles (original transmission and engine). I no longer feel that the replaced transmission on my Maxima is reliable.

- Accokeek, MD, USA

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