NISSAN MAXIMA · model year

2013 NISSAN MAXIMA

71 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013NISSANMAXIMA carries 71 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 2 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 3/5 front crash, 5/5 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 2013 MAXIMA is power train with 24 filings, followed by air bags (16) and unknown or other (8). 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 2013 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.

71
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
2013 NISSAN MAXIMA — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2013 NISSAN MAXIMA. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 3.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 5.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

71 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 3/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 5/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN24
AIR BAGS16
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
EXTERIOR LIGHTING8
ENGINE4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
SERVICE BRAKES2
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
STEERING1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS1

Recent Complaints

20251219EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

20240411ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 7,500

20231118EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1. Both headlights on dim are so dim that you cannot drive safely, they do not project in front of the car far enough to see at night, dawn or dusk. I am concerned if other cars I meet can even see me approaching. My flashlight shines brighter and farther. I have replaced the bulbs for the dim lights and it did no good. 2. Drove to California and was in west Texas after dark, could not see the road after dark. 3. My relative is a mechanic and he has confirmed the defective illumination with my dim lights. 4. It has not been confirmed by any officials such as insurance or police. 5. I noticed this problem about 1 year ago. I have been having to run bright lights if I must drive after dark. This is dangerous, illegal if meeting another car, etc. This is a seriously dangerous problem. I have researched on the internet for several weeks looking for a solution. I finally ran across your website. I did see that the Nissan Altima had a recall for their defective headlights. This should also b

20230614EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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.

Mileage: 120,000

20230112ENGINE

The transmission is failing in my car it doesn't want to go. stalling out shuttering,jerking.

20230112POWER TRAIN

The transmission is failing in my car it doesn't want to go. stalling out shuttering,jerking.

20220927UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20220927POWER TRAIN

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

20210503POWER TRAIN

I WAS TRAVELING FROM HOUSTON, TX TO DALLAS, TX MIDDAY ON MAY 1, 2021. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES OUTSIDE OF DALLAS ON I-45 TRAVELING 75 MPH WHEN I SUDDENLY FELT A SPUTTER AND THEN THE SPEED INSTANTLY DECREASED FROM 75 MPH TO 20 MPH ON A BUSY MAJOR INTERSTATE. I WAS ALMOST HIT TWICE AS I TRIED TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE WITH CARS TRAVELING UPWARDS OF 75+ MPH, BLOWING AND HONING AND CURSING ME. I MADE IT OFF THE INTERSTATE AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. AFTER MAKING SEVERAL CALLS FOR HELP, I WAS INSTRUCTED BY A MECHANIC TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND RESTART THE CAR AND TRY TO ACCELERATE WHILE ON THE FEEDER. SO I DID, AND THE CAR DID ACCELERATE ENOUGH TO GET BACK ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAD TO DO THIS 5 TIMES TO GET THE REMAINDER OF THE 40 MILES TO M DESTINATION. I TOOK MY CAR TO METRO DALLAS NISSAN IN FLOWER MOUND, TX ON MAY 3, 2021. I WAS TOLD THE INSPECTION FOUND CODES P1778, P0778 FOUND IN ECM AND TCM FOUND TRANSMISSION TO BE SLIPPING AND THEREFORE, THE CVT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.....= $5523.

Mileage: 139,700

20210426POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 168,000

20210418POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 112,000

20210418UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 112,000

20210225EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

20200830EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY VERY DIM LIGHT CAN ONLY BE SEEN 1 FOOT AWAY FROM THE HEADLIGHTS I HAVE EVERYTHING INCLUDING CHANGING THE H11 LIGHT BULBS

20200623POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 110,000

20200226EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS DO NOT REFLECT HARDLY ANY LIGHT ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT. IT IS DANGEROUS AS YOU CAN NOT SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT. MY FOG LIGHTS GIVE OFF MORE LIGHT THEN MY LOW BEAMS. I HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHTS AND IT MAKES NO DIFFERNCE. I HAVE TRIED 4 DIFFERENT LOW BEAM LIGHTS AND IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IN THE LIGHT OUTPUT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BY NISSAN, THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE! IT'S VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT THE DEALER SHIP WANTS 1000 DOLLARS TO CHANGE THE WHOLE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. NO OTHER CAR NEEDS THIS DONE, YOU CHANGE A LIGHT BULB. WHY DO I NEED TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BECAUSE I DRIVE A NISSAN MAXIMA? THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THE REFLECTOR LENS IN THE LOW BEAMS DECAY. THAT'S A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.

Mileage: 60,000

20191020POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 156,000

20191020UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

Mileage: 156,000

20190924ENGINE

I WAS STOPPING FOR GAS TO HEAD BACK TO WORK, THEN I REALIZED THAT A CLOUD OF SMOKE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE.

Mileage: 105,054

20190924POWER TRAIN

I WAS STOPPING FOR GAS TO HEAD BACK TO WORK, THEN I REALIZED THAT A CLOUD OF SMOKE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE.

Mileage: 105,054

Compare 2013NISSANMAXIMA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
The 2013 NISSAN MAXIMA has 71 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2013 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The 2013 NISSAN MAXIMA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 3/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The most-complained component for the 2013 NISSAN MAXIMA is POWER TRAIN with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2013 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 2013 NISSAN MAXIMA has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. 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.