The 8 Most Common Nissan Maxima Failures: Problems And More!

If you are thinking of buying a new or used car, the Nissan Maxima is a good option. It’s a dependable four-door sedan that offers both powerful engine power and an impressively smooth ride. Seems to be impressive right? But it would be good if you found out about the common faults of the Nissan Maxima and thus be prevented.

Its average maintenance cost is considered above average compared to other sedans. However, its resale value is below average. According to CarEdge.com , it will have depreciated 67% after 5 years, assuming the car is still in good condition.

How good is the Nissan Maxima?

Reliability scores for the Nissan Maxima are high among saloon types. On RepairPal , it has a score of 4 out of 5, ranking 9th out of 32 car brands in the same category.

Aside from its engine performance, it is also known for its sleek design, roomy interior, and high price tag. Older models may be less expensive, but the lifespan may vary, depending on the general care of the car. The Maxima can easily go from 100,000 to over 200,000 miles with regular maintenance.

Common failures of the Nissan Maxima

The Nissan Maxima is a reliable model, but it can have different problems depending on its year of manufacture. Here are common Nissan Maxima faults that owners have encountered with different models.

1- Air conditioning hose with leaks and low pressure

If your Maxima’s air conditioning is blowing hot air, it’s likely a refrigerant leak from the kinked air conditioning hose, which also causes low pressure in the system. This is one of the most common failures of the Nissan Maxima.

Owners have reported this problem on 2001-2012 model years, it usually happens around 87,000 miles. Repair costs can vary, but some owners have reported spending around $200 to $400, depending on the price tag of the replacement part and labor costs.

2- Malfunction and transmission failure

Nissan Maxima transmission problems are widely known among car owners. They have reported that their car jerked when changing gears while starting.

Some owners also observed a rough gear transition, the vehicle stalling, and slow acceleration, until the transmission failed altogether. Some cases became so serious that the owners stopped driving their cars , because they became dangerous and prone to collisions.

These transmission problems are common 2004-2006 Nissan Maxima failures, happening around 90,000 to 100,000+ miles. Some owners have contacted Nissan but were simply advised that a total transmission replacement would fix it. These repairs are expensive, averaging $2,500 to over $3,000.

3- Failure of the electronic lock of the steering column

The 2009-2010 Nissan Maxima is known for its problems with the Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL), which prevented the car from starting. The ESCL is supposed to deter theft.

The key fob needs to be within range of the vehicle for the ESCL to detect it, which releases the steering wheel and allows it to turn. In this case, owners have reported that the lock won’t release the steering wheel, so they couldn’t start their cars.

Repair can be expensive, costing over $1,000 to replace the ESCL. However, Nissan has launched a service campaign, offering to replace the ESCL free of charge.

It was also reported that Nissan would reimburse for repairs as long as owners had proof of the service being performed. Nissan said the ESCL replacement would not have the steering wheel lock feature, adding that the Maxima has other anti-theft features .

4- Faulty front seat wiring harness

One of the most frequent failures of the 2006 Nissan Maxima is its front seat assembly. It has been reported that the wire harness on over 100,000 units of the 2006 model year was installed incorrectly, increasing the possibility of getting pinched under the driver’s seat .

Combined with vibrations from driving, this defect can cause a short circuit, which could start a fire in the seat. Nissan announced a recall to fix the problem in November 2005. It advised owners to take their cars to the nearest dealer to have the faulty wiring harness replaced and routed correctly.

5- Defective service brakes

Nissan Maxima brake problems are also common. Multiple recalls have been announced due to faulty service brakes. Units of the 2016 Nissan Maxima were recalled in 2015 due to improperly mounted brake calipers, which could come off unexpectedly.

In 2016, a recall was placed on some units of Nissan Maxima of the same model year because of lack of brake fluid, causing increased stopping distance .

This makes the vehicle prone to crashes and collisions. All of these issues can be remedied with a visit to your dealer, so be sure to check if your car is included in these recalls.

6- Engine check light illuminated by oil leak

Another common Nissan Maxima failure, specifically with the 2002-2014, is oil leaking from the camshaft position sensor electrical connector. This can trigger the check engine light to come on.

In some cases, owners have reported that the engine also shuts down periodically due to oil leakage. Many Maxima owners have reported having this problem around 110,000 miles. The average cost to fix this issue is around $80 to $120, which can vary depending on parts and labor costs.

7- Ignition coil failure

Older Nissan Maxima models, such as those from 1995-2009, are notorious for having an ignition coil failure , which also turns on the check engine light. Some owners have reported that the faulty coil causes sparks that send feedback through the wire harness, damaging other coils.

You must fix this problem immediately to prevent further damage to other coils. This usually happens around 130,000 miles on average, but some have reported having the problem around 49,000 miles. Ignition coil replacement can cost anywhere from $500 to over $660, depending on labor and component price.

8- Power steering pump leak

The 1995-2013 Nissan Maxima is known for a power steering pump problem that can be difficult to diagnose. The most common symptoms include noisy, unstable steering caused by a leaking power steering pump.

Leaking fluid would drip onto the lower control arm bushing, causing deterioration and imminent damage. General control of the vehicle can be affected in extreme cases, so it is best to have your car checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible.

This is a fairly common problem that happens around 120,000 miles. The total cost of the repair can vary, but is known to be on the expensive side, averaging $400 to about $1,000.