2017 Nissan Maxima problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Nissan Maxima, most often about body & structure. There are 4 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
66
Recalls
4
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
2
Median mileage
41,000 mi
at time of problem

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners to park outside until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

  • Body & Structure is the most-reported problem area, named in 13 of 66 complaints (20%).
  • Airbags (12) and driver assistance & safety tech (9) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 41,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 2 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries.
  • The 2017 Nissan Maxima has 4 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 2nd of 18 Nissan Maxima model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 21% fewer complaints than the 2016 model year (84).

2017 Nissan Maxima problems by category

  • Other / Unknown
    17 complaints
  • Body & Structure · 1 crash
    13 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    12 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    9 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    9 complaints
  • Electrical System
    8 complaints
  • Engine · 1 crash
    6 complaints
  • Suspension
    5 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires · 1 crash
    4 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Steering · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    2 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    2 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    2 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Unknown or other17
Structure:body13
Air bags12
Power train9
Electrical system8
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking6
Engine6
Suspension5

When problems happen (mileage)

2Under 10k210k–30k630k–60k460k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2017 Nissan Maxima complaints that list mileage.

2017 Nissan Maxima recalls (4)

  • Recall 19V807000Nov 8, 2019391,479 vehiclesPark outside
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

    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.

    Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

    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.

  • Recall 18V601000Sep 7, 2018215,124 vehiclesPark outside
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

    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.

    Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

    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.

  • Recall 16V636000Sep 2, 2016120,329 vehicles
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

    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.

    Risk: A brake fluid leak onto the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

    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.

  • Recall 16V244000Apr 26, 20163,296,947 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

    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.

    Risk: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

    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.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • EA19002Opened Jul 29, 2019Closed Jun 16, 2025

    Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure

    On July 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened EA19002 to investigate instances of alleged rear lower control arm failures in 2013-2018 Nissan Altima and 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima vehicles. At the time the investigation was opened ODI had 91 consumer complaints alleging rear lower control arm failures in the subject vehicles.ODI was concerned about these complaints because many of them alleged an increased steering effort or loss of vehicle control.At the time these complaints were received, ODI was also aware of a proactive service campaign addressing 2013 Nissan Altima in s…

Recent 2017 Nissan Maxima complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 7, 2026GAFireOther / Unknown
    I woke up the morning of 09/30/2026 and took my kids to the bus stop. All the lights on my dash lit up. We were headed out of town for the night so we parked the car and took my husband’s truck. That was at 9:42 am. At 9:16 pm our neighbor called and said the fire department was next door and that my car was engulfed in flames. We contacted Nissan and there is a recall for a fire hazard but it’s not attached to my VIN number.
    NHTSA complaint #11769555 · source
  2. Filed Jul 25, 2026LAEngine
    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.
    NHTSA complaint #11752845 · source
  3. Filed Jun 25, 2026FLFireBrakesElectrical System
    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 !
    NHTSA complaint #11746526 · source
  4. Filed Jun 15, 2026OKElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    The vehicle experienced a no‑start condition and was towed to a dealership. The dealership performed major engine and timing repairs without authorization and kept the vehicle for nearly four months. After the repairs, the vehicle still cranks but will not start, requires jump‑starts, and now has new electrical issues and a nonfunctional A/C system.The safety risk is that the vehicle can fail to start unexpectedly, stall, or lose electrical power, which could leave occupants…
    NHTSA complaint #11744323 · source
  5. Filed May 29, 2026KYTransmission & Drivetrain
    My vehicle repeatedly loses acceleration/motive power while driving. When I press the accelerator, the pedal may go down but the vehicle does not respond normally and begins to decelerate unexpectedly. This can happen even at low speeds, including around 20 mph, and creates a serious safety risk when entering traffic, turning, or accelerating with other vehicles nearby. Warning lights illuminate afterward as if the vehicle detected a crash or traction/ABS event. The issue…
    NHTSA complaint #11740833 · source
  6. Filed Mar 4, 2026NCOther / Unknown
    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.
    NHTSA complaint #11721901 · source
  7. Filed Jan 23, 2026NJCrashTowedBrakesSteeringWheels & Tires
    My son was driving my car to work and this is his account of the incident On 1/17/2026 on I95 n, the steering wheel abruptly stopped controlling the wheels. It was as if it completely disconnected and he lost control and crashed into the median. It was a terrifying incident for my son. No other cars were involved. This accident has been reported to my insurance company. This car has been a smooth ride since I've had it. It has UNDER 70,000 miles even though it's a 2017…
    NHTSA complaint #11712925 · source
  8. Filed Oct 27, 2025OHEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    I had my car being repaired for a car accident I had on [XXX]. A piece of tire on the highway [XXX] went underneath the middle frame of my car. I picked up the car from the repair shop here in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, [XXX]. Beginning on the same day, I had a "check engine" light appear on my dashboard. On Sunday,; I went to my local Auto Zone store. They informed me that their test results was" Power Train System Secondary Issue: P1751 CVT Judder (C/V Inspection).…
    NHTSA complaint #11695770 · source

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Other 2017 Nissan models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology