2017 Nissan Maxima: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 103 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (18% of complaints); the 2018 and 2019 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 3 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Nov 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 103 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was approaching an exit on 7/23/2026, and all of a sudden my engine light begans flashing very fast! Once I get to the red light at the exit, the engine light stops flashing and the car begins to shake profusely...... When the light turns green, I get on the accelerator and the shaking gets harder and the engine light begins to flash again.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2026
“Car was parked outside husbands work since 7 at 12:15 pm he was advised by a co worker that my car was on fire ! When I ran outside my his workers where trying to put out the fire with the fire extinguishers from the work warehouse ! The fire department ended up finish putting out the fire ! The whole engine compartment was burnt to a crisp and a huge hole was burnt through the hood on the passenger side along side the firewall of car !”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2026
“Car turning off while driving and can't turn the wheel to get out of the road. We had the car battery, fob battery and alternator replaced and still the same issue. We heard this has happened to another owner of the same vehicle that lives in or town. This is not safe and could cause an accident.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“My car has been "losing power" while driving. While driving and pressing the gas pedal, the car will stop accelerating and kind of goes into an idle state. Highly dangerous! It happened the other day while I was attempting to enter traffic. It has been happening off and on for the last 2 weeks and has been happening more frequently, meaning several times a day. It seems to happen more often when the temperature outside is hot (90+ degrees). Also, with the last few times, after it happens and I regain power, the ABS light comes on and remains on until I shut off the engine.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2025
“Airbag warning light stays on at the dashboard. Passenger air bag light indicates airbag is off when someone is actually in the seat. This is incorrect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2024
“Rear passenger pillars between passenger doors and trunk plastic trim pieces have both broken off. The plastic clips are so flimsy they broke off.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2024
“What happened today was the sunroof exploded while driving down the interstate. Loud gunshot sound! Lucky the viser was closed when it happened! I have an appointment next week due to dealership backed up but they said I can come by to get it patched until my appointment day. No Warning lights, messages, or anything happened before the incident occurred. Just glad no one was hurt and it didn't cause me to have accident.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2024
“The transmission just stops shifting out of nowhere and has had a transmission judder code since ive owned it. The transmission shakes at acceleration about 90% of the time.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2023
“Went to work and parked. It rained that day, not sure if it's related. When I went to leave the dash airbag light stayed on. This was December 2023. There are no other issues with the car. No other warning lights. The car has 52,300 miles on it now. I just recently took it to the dealership to see about getting it fixed and was quoted $7k-11k in repairs. They told me "it's usually the setback assembly. That could possibly fix it." I was told the lifetime power train warranty that the dealership offers does not apply. I do have the invoice, but for some train the website is not letting me upload.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2023
“The emergency braking system warning light came on while I was stopped in rush hour traffic. No collision. Light is coming on every time I drive the car. Fear of the system automatically stopping my vehicle while driving without cause. The dealership refused to test the sensors without me paying for the service. This first started showing up on 8/28/2023. The front sensors warning stating " front sensor obstructed system is unavailable" has been coming on for no reason at random. Dealership refuses to test sensors without me paying for test. This has been happening for some time.”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Aug 2023
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Nissan Murano, 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 19, 2016 and equipped with Intelligent Cruise Control, 2015-2017 Murano vehicles manufactured August 22, 2014, to August 19, 2016 and equipped with Intelligent Cruise Control, and 2015-2016 Murano Hybrid vehicles manufactured August 22, 2014, to July 19, 2016. The affected vehicles have Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps that may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal electrical circuit board.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS Actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2017 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 2017 Nissan Maxima reliable?
NHTSA has 103 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2017 Nissan Maxima. The most complained-about area is structure (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2017 Nissan Maxima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 28,098 miles or less.
Does the 2017 Nissan Maxima have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.