2013 Nissan Maxima: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 62 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (37% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
62
owner complaints
1
fire reports
69,000
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★★
4-star NHTSA overall safety ratingNo recall campaignsWeak spot: power train (37%)1 fire report
Common problems
Computed from 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)37% · 21 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)28% · 16 complaints
Exterior Lighting (headlights, taillights)16% · 9 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)5% · 3 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)4% · 2 complaints
Service Brakes (brakes)4% · 2 complaints
“I have a 2013 Nissan Maxima in my headlights are horrible when they are on dim you cannot see in front of you so bad that it's liable to cause a bad wreck I have to ride with my headlights on bright and it's not much better I have replaced the bulbs in both headlights twice it has not improved anything I think it is a very dangerous thing in could call someone to get hurt because no one can see I've not been pulled over by the police or anything but I have to ride with my headlights on bright and I know it blinds people sometimes I think there needs to be a recall because I have a lot of friends that have Nissans and they have the same problem”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2025
“The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the third attempt however the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine, the crankshaft, and the cylinder heads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 7,500. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2024
“a recall and class action lawsuit was issued for the 2013 altima but not the 2013 maxima. they have the same cvt transmission, my cvt transmission on my maxima just went out. Both the maxima and the altima should have been included in these recalls if they have the exact same CVT transmission”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was driving my 2013 nissan maxima as I normally do every day. Then without any warning it would not accelerate. Thank god I had enough momentum to get it to a safe place and out of the highway. I almost got hit in the back to because I had the make a quick turn to get it out of the street and into a parking lot. And after I stopped the check engine light came on.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2021
“The vehicle was in a parked position at my home. Went and started vehicle and from park to drive it hesitated before it starts to move.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2021
“The dim lights appear not to be on when driving at night or early morning. I have to drive with my bright lights on. I thought the bulb case was cloudy but that is not the situation. The dim lights simply do not shine as they should. This is very dangerous to myself and other drivers that I approach. I thought I was the only owner of a nissan maxima with this problem but, I am not. My friend is having the exact same problem.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 nissan maxima. The contact stated that while approaching a stop sign, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The accelerator pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard while the vehicle shuddered. The vehicle was taken to autonation nissan memphis (4140 hacks cross road, memphis, tn 38125) to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2020
“The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at night, the driver's, and passenger's side headlights were very dim, failing to properly illuminate the roadway, causing a visibility hazard for the driver. The contact stated that the light bulbs were replaced but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2020
“My 2013 nissan maxima slowed down while on the highway doing 60 mph then a sputtering noise follows with a large boom and winding noise, check engine light came on. Took my car to autozone code stated cvt transmission problem. This car is only 6 years old why would I need an transmission. I'm so disappointed with nissan”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2019
“As I was driving on highway from arkansas to texas my car started making this really loud noise as I was accelerating. I was only at 60 mph and the car was still making the noise but as I was increasing my speed to pass and switch lanes my car seem like it became stuck and wouldn't let me accelerate or go any faster and my rpm jumped to 5. I pulled over and rested my car for a minute took it to o reiley to get it checked since my service engine soon light had come on and the code that returned was code p1778 something they stated that pertain to the step motor function/transmission.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2013 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
Engines3.5L
Cylinders6
FuelGasoline
How other years compare
Check your exact Maxima by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Nissan Maxima reliable?
NHTSA has 62 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Nissan Maxima. The most complained-about area is power train (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Nissan Maxima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 69,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.