Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
1825–50K
2250–75K
1375–100K
11100–150K
3150K+
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
What owners actually said
107 reports
35,000 miles · Mar 8, 2018
Seats
THE DRIVER SEAT OF MY '12 MAXIMA MOVES UPON ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. I'VE READ MANY FORUMS AND GROUPS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A PREVALENT ISSUE. SREIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT CAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW IF THE SEAT WILL BREAK CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE YET DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE. THE DEALER IS ALSO AWARE AND S…
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THE DRIVER SEAT OF MY '12 MAXIMA MOVES UPON ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. I'VE READ MANY FORUMS AND GROUPS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A PREVALENT ISSUE. SREIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT CAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW IF THE SEAT WILL BREAK CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE YET DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE. THE DEALER IS ALSO AWARE AND SHOWS NO CONCERN. I'M GOING TO INFORM EVERY FORUM AND GROUP TO WRITE A COMPLAINT ON THIS SITE MAYBE RESULTING IN SOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #11076799
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
55,000 miles · Jan 24, 2018
VisibilityInjury
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND THE MOONROOF LITERALLY EXPLODED. I WAS LOOKING TO SEE HOW IT COULD HAPPEN, BUT I STILL TO THIS DAY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT.
NHTSA ODI #11064537
100,000 miles · Jan 16, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A LOCAL DE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #11063108
78,000 miles · Dec 18, 2017
Unknown Or Other
ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND I HEARD A LOUD BOOM. I PULLED OFF AND SAW THAT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUNROOF WITH THE EDGES OF THE GLASS RAISED UPWARD. THE REMAINING GLASS WAS POPPING AND CRACKING.
NHTSA ODI #11055199
Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2017
Air Bags
VEHICLE HAS 50,300 MILES WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON. NISSAN SAYS THAT THE INTERANAL FAILURE TO AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT.PART NUMBER 98820-9N092 WAS REPLACED FOR PART PRICE OF $463.15. LABOR TO INSTALL WAS ALSO $463.15.
NHTSA ODI #11055070
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2017
Unknown Or Other
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE AC WENT FROM COLD TO WARM. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THE GUY SAID IT HAD PLENTY OF FREON IN IT. HE SAID SOMETHING IS BLOCKING THE FREON.
NHTSA ODI #11022038
89,383 miles · Aug 21, 2017
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury
AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL FRONT END DAMAGE. I WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND IN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY 84 AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I APPLIED MY BRAKES BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID IMPACTING THE REAR OF T…
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AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL FRONT END DAMAGE. I WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND IN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY 84 AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I APPLIED MY BRAKES BUT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID IMPACTING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS CRUMPLED. BOTH FRONT QUARTER PANELS, FRONT BUMPER, GRILL ASSEMBLY, AND HOOD WERE DESTROYED. THE WINDSHIELD ALSO CRACKED. WITH THE EXTENT OF THE FRONT END DAMAGE, THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI #11018674
110,000 miles · Jul 25, 2017
Power Train
MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING A FEW WEEKS AGO AT RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. IT'S
NHTSA ODI #11010600
118,000 miles · Feb 12, 2017
Power Train
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.
NHTSA ODI #10954057
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.
2012 Nissan Maxima Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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