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2012 Nissan Maxima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Maxima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 99.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

85 reports with mileage · 22 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine complaints

11 reports
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122,000 miles · Mar 2, 2023
EngineService BrakesSteering

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately and started shuddering. The oil warning light, ABS, coolant temperature, and the ESP warning light were illuminated. Additionally, the driver's side windo…

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The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately and started shuddering. The oil warning light, ABS, coolant temperature, and the ESP warning light were illuminated. Additionally, the driver's side window failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

NHTSA ODI #11509824

138,000 miles · Oct 24, 2022
EngineFire

The contact owned a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that after returning from lunch and parking the vehicle at work, almost three hours later he was informed by someone that the vehicle was on fire. The contact walked outside and saw the engine compartment in flames. The contact stated that the engine compartment was comp…

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The contact owned a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that after returning from lunch and parking the vehicle at work, almost three hours later he was informed by someone that the vehicle was on fire. The contact walked outside and saw the engine compartment in flames. The contact stated that the engine compartment was completely burned. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The fire department filed a fire report. The contact stated that the security cameras showed that no one had tampered with the vehicle before the vehicle caught on fire. The contact stated he was unsure what started the fire, but the hood of the vehicle was completely melted. No one was injured. The contact stated that the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 138,000.

NHTSA ODI #11490685

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

On June 9, 2022 @8:50am I was driving my Nissan Maxima to work and as I was at the stop light waiting to go through the intersection, the car shut off completely cutting off all power. I have push button and no electric was working. My jumper cables were in the trunk but I could not access them because the trunk would not operat…

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On June 9, 2022 @8:50am I was driving my Nissan Maxima to work and as I was at the stop light waiting to go through the intersection, the car shut off completely cutting off all power. I have push button and no electric was working. My jumper cables were in the trunk but I could not access them because the trunk would not operate without power. Without power my hazards did not even work so I could not let traffic flow know that I was in distress. My car almost was hit 3 separate times because of a faulty part or system built by Nissan needs to get their stuff together and quit putting people in danger. I’m scared to drive it now because it could shut off as I am in the act of driving and that could be catastrophic not only for me but for other innocent people. I will be contacting Nissan and they will be fixing this properly! The car was finally jump started and I was able to drive the rest of the way to work. Let’s see if it starts when I have to leave work? So not cool.

NHTSA ODI #11468421

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2021
EngineUnknown Or Other

Transmission problems.

NHTSA ODI #11437039

100,000 miles · Jun 2, 2019
EngineService Brakes

THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED COOLING WHILE DRIVING. THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON AND THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR.(THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE) AAMCO SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL NISSAN ALTIMAS AND MAXIMAS COME IN WITH A BAD COMPRESSOR AND BRAKES. I KNOW AT LEAST FOUR OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS WITH THE SAME IS…

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THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED COOLING WHILE DRIVING. THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON AND THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR.(THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE) AAMCO SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL NISSAN ALTIMAS AND MAXIMAS COME IN WITH A BAD COMPRESSOR AND BRAKES. I KNOW AT LEAST FOUR OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY DRIVE ALTIMAS AND MAXIMAS AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11217322

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other

EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE THEY'RE A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN THE IT REACHES 35 MPH. ALSO WHEN I START THE CAR THEY'RE A DIFFERENT IDLING NOISE, I'M NOT SURE HOW IF IT'S THE EXHAUST SYSTEM OR IF THEY'RE A LOOSE BOLT THAT'S CAUSING THIS. WHEN TO NISSAN NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY COULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #11073546

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TWO OF THE MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TWO OF THE MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10836448

29,000 miles · Jan 9, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control

RELEASED BRAKE, STARTED ROLLING FORWARD TO CROSS TRAFFIC, STEP ON ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENED. NO ENGINE REV OR ANYTHING. PUMPED ACCELERATOR MANY TIMES AND FINALLY ENGINE ENGAGED. NEARLY CAUSING PASSENGER SIDE TO BE HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS WITH BOTH MY WIFE AND MYSELF DRIVING. *…

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RELEASED BRAKE, STARTED ROLLING FORWARD TO CROSS TRAFFIC, STEP ON ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENED. NO ENGINE REV OR ANYTHING. PUMPED ACCELERATOR MANY TIMES AND FINALLY ENGINE ENGAGED. NEARLY CAUSING PASSENGER SIDE TO BE HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS WITH BOTH MY WIFE AND MYSELF DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671314

33,000 miles · Oct 8, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

NHTSA ODI #10643383

42,950 miles · Mar 11, 2014
EngineSteering

WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 NISSAN MAXIMA, I WAS SLOWING TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO PUSH THE BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. AFTER STOPPING, I RESTARTED THE CAR, AND WAS WITHOUT POWER STEERING AFTER THAT. I H…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 NISSAN MAXIMA, I WAS SLOWING TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO PUSH THE BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. AFTER STOPPING, I RESTARTED THE CAR, AND WAS WITHOUT POWER STEERING AFTER THAT. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER 2012 NISSAN MAXIMA OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, OTHERS REPORTING THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS CRASHES OR WORSE. MY CAR IS OUTSIDE OF NISSAN'S FACTORY WARRANTY, BUT GIVEN THE CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD WITH 43K MILES, IT SEEMS IT IS STILL FAR TO NEW TO BE HAVING A PROBLEM SUCH AS THIS. BASED ON THE COMMENTS ONLINE, IT WOULD BE IN NISSAN'S AND THE PUBLIC'S BEST INTEREST FOR NISSAN TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING MECHANISMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568553

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.