NISSAN MAXIMA · model year

2011 NISSAN MAXIMA

138 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011NISSANMAXIMA carries 138 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 1 fire, 27 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 5/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 MAXIMA is air bags with 23 filings, followed by power train (21) and unknown or other (14). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2011 MAXIMA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

138
Complaints
9
Crashes
1
Fires
27
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

138 filings

Crashes Reported

9 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 5/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS23
POWER TRAIN21
UNKNOWN OR OTHER14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
ENGINE12
STEERING9
STRUCTURE:BODY8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY4
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)4
SUSPENSION3
SEATS3
SERVICE BRAKES3
VISIBILITY/WIPER3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2

Recent Complaints

20260107STEERING

My steering failed completely while driving, making it nearly impossible to turn.

20240715AIR BAGS

Airbag warning came on. I took to dealership for diagnostic. There was malfunction with the passenger airbag. Seat coushin needed to be replaced so the “normal” wear and tear airbag would no longer be an issue. Nissan stated this is not a safety concern and all expenses were out of pocket.

20240629POWER TRAIN

The transmission is slipping it’s a cvt and they’re known for being the worst transmissions. I was entering the highway on a on ramp and I could no longer accelerate past 55 I was near flooring it and you can hear the engine working but the rpm’s are all over the odometer going from 3k-6.5k over and over. The problem has not been diagnosed professionally. The vehicle has not been inspected professionally.There were no lights on the dash when this began happening and nothing occurred that led up to that situation it was just a normal drive for me and now this happens every other day.

20230812UNKNOWN OR OTHER

We are the original owners of a 2011 Nissan Maxima. The dashboard material is deteriorating, creating a sticky and shiny patch across the base of the windshield which is distracting and highly reflective creating glare from the sun and bright lights impeding the ability to safely drive. The dashboard is also cracking and releasing small parts of black dashboard material throughout the car and the passengers. Online research shows this problem has been reported by many Nissan vehicle owners, at our most recent Nissan service appointment, we asked for assistance to have the part replaced and was told we would have to call Nissan directly to request the repair as it was not a recall item. We called Nissan's Consumer Affairs and was told there is no support from Nissan to provide assistance and any repair we desired would be at our own cost. Additionally, in our online research there are pending class action lawsuits for this part to be replaced by the manufacturer. There is potential heal

20230505STEERING

Cvt transmission jerking , engine is always idling hard sometimes wants to even shut off , accelerating sometimes takes a lil while to respond , rack and pinion assembly faulty I would like for nissan to fix my car or get a lump sum check for all faulty errors these cars have

20230505POWER TRAIN

Cvt transmission jerking , engine is always idling hard sometimes wants to even shut off , accelerating sometimes takes a lil while to respond , rack and pinion assembly faulty I would like for nissan to fix my car or get a lump sum check for all faulty errors these cars have

20230505ENGINE

Cvt transmission jerking , engine is always idling hard sometimes wants to even shut off , accelerating sometimes takes a lil while to respond , rack and pinion assembly faulty I would like for nissan to fix my car or get a lump sum check for all faulty errors these cars have

20230311VISIBILITY/WIPER

Dashboard is melting which is making it extremely sticky but the worst part is that it is causing a visibility issues while driving. The glare is really bad.

20230311STRUCTURE:BODY

Dashboard is melting which is making it extremely sticky but the worst part is that it is causing a visibility issues while driving. The glare is really bad.

20230112SERVICE BRAKES

Hi I bought car Nissan maxima 2011 transmission not working well when I driving I stopped at the traffic after that car does not move forward

20230112POWER TRAIN

Hi I bought car Nissan maxima 2011 transmission not working well when I driving I stopped at the traffic after that car does not move forward

20230112VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Hi I bought car Nissan maxima 2011 transmission not working well when I driving I stopped at the traffic after that car does not move forward

20221123AIR BAGS

Passenger seat airbag sensor has failed

20220509STRUCTURE:BODY

My dashboard has been melted for some time now and it’s a safety hazard. When I drive at night, the light reflects on the dashboard and it makes it difficult to see, which is very dangerous with my kids in the car. I thought I could clean the dashboard but it’s very sticky. Apparently this is a common issue with certain models of cars because I saw a news report on it.

20220118POWER TRAIN

Transmission failed on my vehicle at 40,000 miles while I was in the middle of traffic. My car stopped accelerating without warning and I nearly got into an accident

20210423STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING. COASTAL NISSAN (8519 OCEAN HWY, PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC 29585) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE WARRANTY COVERAGE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,376.

Mileage: 115,376

20210421UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING, BECOMING STICKY AND EMITTING TERRIBLE ODOR; SURELY THAT IS PROBABLY HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH AS IT IS A SICKENING SMELL. WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED AS IT IS AN ODOR THAT IN UNBEARABLE FOR DRIVING LONG DISTANCE.

Mileage: 40,000

20210331POWER TRAIN

ON THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 16, MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA WHEN SHE CAME TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, SHE MOVED HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN WOULD NOT MOVE. SHE APPLIED HER FOOT TO THE ACCELERATOR SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER SEVERAL MORE ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD IN A VIOLENT MANNER BUT LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO OTHER CAR AHEAD OF HER OR I'M AFRAID A MORE SERIOUS EVENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THIS ALL HAPPENED RATHER ABRUPTLY, WITHOUT ANY ADVANCE WARNING OR INDICATION OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL NISSAN SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME A CODE INDICATED 'TRANSMISSION FLUID PRESSURE LOW' (EVEN THOUGH IT CONTAINED PLENTY OF FLUID) AND ADVISED A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED AT A COST OF $7,138. THIS WAS THE DIAGNOSIS DESPITE NO DASHBOARD WARNING OR SERVICE E

Mileage: 106,000

20210331POWER TRAIN

MY CAR IS VERY RELIABLE UNTIL NOW WITH ONLY 105,000 MILES? MY PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT SEPTEMBER 2020 WHEN I STARTED TO HEAR MY CAR MAKE A ROUGH SOUND SUDDENLY, LIKE A WINDING NOISE WHEN I ACCELERATE AND WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS AS WELL. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT. THEY CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY TELL ME I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND ITS GOING TO BE AROUND $5,500. WHICH I DON'T HAVE ESPECIALLY IN THIS PANDEMIC. ALSO THEY TOLD ME IF I GET THE NEW TRANSMISSION IT ONLY COMES WITH 1 YEAR WARRANTY. NISSAN ONLY COVERS IT UNTIL 60,000 MILES WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE PEOPLE BUYING A NEW NISSAN EXPECT IT TO GO FURTHER THEN THAT! MY ISSUE IS THAT NISSAN IS PUTTING IN THESE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS KNOWING THAT IT WILL FAIL SOON AND ONLY GIVE YOU 1 YEAR WARRANTY IF YOU DO REPLACE IT AFTER PAY 5,500?

Mileage: 95,000

20210304ENGINE

MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 113,500 MILES AND STARTED LOSING POWER AND COASTING, THE SPEED WOULD FLUCTUATE AND SOMETHING SOUNDS LOOSE IN THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO LITHIA NISSAN IN FRESNO CA ON BLACKSTONE AND THEY TOLD ME THE CVT BELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED THEREBY CAUSING THE CAR TO NEED A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION AT $5738.96. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION.

Mileage: 113,000

Compare 2011NISSANMAXIMA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
The 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA has 138 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 1 fires, 27 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The most-complained component for the 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA is AIR BAGS with 23 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.