What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2012 Nissan Maxima

Typical pattern

4.4% of complaints about the 2012 Nissan Maxima came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2012 vehicle — around the middle of the 201 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is air bags (27 complaints), typically at 3.2 yr or about 31,301 miles.

Complaints
137
Median age at failure
6.3 yr
Median mileage
55,000 n=104
Crash / fire / tow
8.8% of reports
Safety recalls
0

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
27 reports · 31,301 mi
3.2 yr
18.5%
Other
23 reports · 61,000 mi
8.2 yr
4.3%
Electrical system
20 reports · 57,000 mi
6.4 yr
0%
Power train
18 reports · 90,000 mi
6.8 yr
0%

In owners’ own words

Air bags 3,000 mi 9 mo in service
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INTERMITTENTLY (A LOT!) DOES NOT HAVE AN AIRBAG FOR 130+ POUND PERSON, BUT DOES HAVE AIRBAG FOR 80LB CHILD. HAVE HAD TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES, NISSAN REPORTS THAT THIS IS WITHIN THEIR SPECIFICATIONS; THEY HAVE DISMISSED THE COMPLAINT. I HAVE FURTHER REPORTED TO NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMPLAINT #11108041, BUT SINCE I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR A YEAR NOW, I DO NOT FEEL CONFIDENT IN THEIR "HELP". *TR
Air bags 12,000 mi 1.6 yr in service
WHEN ANY ADULT SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHO IS NOT HEAVY WILL NOT ENABLE THE AIRBAG. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IS HOW IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE BUT THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN ANY OTHER CAR. *TR
Air bags 3,000 mi 11 mo in service
AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN A 200 LB ADULT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT BUT MORE OFTEN THEN NOT. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE IF SOMEONE IS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. *TR
Electrical system 22,995 mi 2.2 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE OPEN DOOR WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH ALL FOUR DOORS WERE CLOSED SECURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION SWITCH WAS ENGAGED IT FAILED TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND THE INTERIOR AUTOMATIC DOORS WOULD ONLY UNLOCK MANUALLY. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,995.

Other Maxima model years

2017201620142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

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