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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

Power Train complaints

18 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2025
Power Train

2012 Nissan Maxima with 94,000 miles began hesitating upon accelerating and jerking on [XXX]. Vehicle diagnosed at Don Franklin Nissan in Glasgow, KY with bad transmission. Transmission replaced. Then on [XXX], while driving vehicle, a loud noise from front passenger tire, traction light come on, pulled to side and found whee…

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2012 Nissan Maxima with 94,000 miles began hesitating upon accelerating and jerking on [XXX]. Vehicle diagnosed at Don Franklin Nissan in Glasgow, KY with bad transmission. Transmission replaced. Then on [XXX], while driving vehicle, a loud noise from front passenger tire, traction light come on, pulled to side and found wheel side ways and upon investigation, Ball Joint had come part damaging axle and wheel. Found no bolt for ball joint in place. Towed back to Don Franklin Nissan in Glasgow, KY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11670526

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2021
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

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 transmiss…

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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?

NHTSA ODI #11437364

87,200 miles · Jul 2, 2021
Power Train

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 wi…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11423254

112,000 miles · Apr 8, 2021
Power Train

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 TRANSMISSI…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11407114

158,000 miles · Sep 23, 2019
Power Train

TL* 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 I…

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TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI #11257523

92,500 miles · Jul 5, 2019
Power Train

TL* 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…

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TL* 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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11229671

94,000 miles · Mar 8, 2019
Power Train

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.

NHTSA ODI #11185143

45,000 miles · Dec 5, 2018
Power Train

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11156444

109,000 miles · Aug 14, 2018
Power Train

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 FUNCTI…

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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??

NHTSA ODI #11119898

83,508 miles · Jul 22, 2018
Power Train

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 E…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11112888

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.