2018 NISSAN Maxima Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

4 complaints

Inappropriate function of the AEB system. Filed a prior complaint with you a couple of months ago about the cruise control sensor and the AEB. Cruise was fixed, but AEB keeps going off while using cruise inappropriately. Did not get fixed. Spent a lot of time working with Nissan consumer affairs and Vision Nissan in Webster NY and problem not found. There are numerous complaints on line about the same problem, but Nissan consumer affairs (NCA) keeps telling me there are no other complaints about this issue. The NCA told me that unless the service department has the AEB go off while they are trying it out, they won't do anything. If I want the second opinion they are recommending, it has to be out of pocket cost for me. I have had it happen and drove to the dealer without turning the vehicle off, and they didn't pull any codes, so won't address it. I have asked to speak to a manager/supervisor at NCA, but they refuse to let me talk to anyone. This has happened no less than 100 times and is very dangerous.

Oct 25, 2022

I purchased this vehicle used a couple of months ago. The automatic emergency braking initiates inappropriately while using ICC, it brakes without obstruction. Also, the distance sensor isn't working properly according to the dealer. When I use ICC, and sometimes when I am not using it, I get an "unavailable, front radar obstruction" message. The ICC stops working when this happens. It happens every single time I drive. The dealer I bought it from (not a Nissan dealer) won't address it. The Nissan dealer I had to pay $160 to diagnose it said it has a faulty Distance Sensor, which will be repaired if I pay over $1000. I only have $13,000 miles on this vehicle, and it was 11,000 when I bought it. This has a Nissan service bulletin easily found online, a known issue to Nissan which is a safety issue, but it isn't recalled and should be.

Jul 26, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED ALTHOUGH NO OBJECTS WERE PRESENT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLETON NISSAN (10964 PAGE AVE, ST. LOUIS, MO) WHERE THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SENSOR WA RECALIBRATED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 2170186. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Sep 19, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE BRAKED SUDDENLY. HAWKINSON NISSAN (5513 MILLER CIRCLE DR, MATTESON, IL 60443, 708-304-3645) AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,098.

Jul 09, 2019

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 complaints

WHEN DRIVING TO WORK MY SUNROOF EXPLODED ON INTERSTATE SCARING ME.IT WAS A VERY LOUD NOISE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ALL NISSAN OWNERS. WHEN BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUNROOF EXPLOSION. WHEN GOING ON LINE THIS LOOKS LIKE IS BEEN ONGOING FOR AWHILE.

Nov 11, 2020

WHEN CAR MAXIMA IS SITTING STILL IN IDLE IT LEAKS OUT A CLEAR FLUID. THE FLUID HAS NO COLOR AND NO SMELL.THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND IN IDLE.

Oct 10, 2020

REAR OBSTRUCTION WARNING.AROUND VIEW, REAR VIEW,ETC MONITORING SYSTEM. HAVE HAD DEALERSHIP LOOK INTO NUMEROUS TIMES THEY CANT REMEDY WITHOUT SOME KIND OF PROOF.THERE SUGGESTION WAS CELL PHONE PICTURE OF WARNING ON DASH WHILE DRIVING OR VIDEO. I TOLD THEM I WOULDN'T DO THAT AND ASKED THEM IF THAT IS WHAT THEY WOULD NEED TO DO TO SATISFY NISSAN FOR APPROVAL TO FIX HE SAID YES.REALLY WHILE DRIVING I THINK NOT.

Feb 13, 2020

DRIVING A RENTED NISSAN MAXIMA I ENCOUNTERED AN ISSUE I AM CONCERNED WITH. WHILE CHANGING A RADIO STATION I ACCIDENTALLY HIT SOMETHING THAT BROUGHT UP A MENU. TRYING TO GET BACK TO THE ORIGINAL SCREEN I FOUND MYSELF ON THE ONGOING LANE. WE SHOULD NOT BE LOOKING AT A SCREEN WHEN DRIVING. IT SHOULD NOT EXIST. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THESE UNNECESSARY DEVICES IN CARS THAT CAR COMPANIES PUSH TO MAKE A SALE. I FIND IT A VERY DANGEROUS DISTRACTION.

Feb 07, 2018

SERVICE BRAKES

4 complaints

I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MAY WIFE AND LONG TRIPS. IT WAS RATED SATISFACTORY BY CONSUMERS REPORT. I RECEIVED A RECALL FROM NISSAN THAT THE CAR COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID AND CATCH FIRE. THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FIX IT UNTIL SUMMER OF 2020. IN THE MEAN TIME IF THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON I SHOULD PULL IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL NISSAN'S TOWING SERVICE THIS MAKES THE CAR UNSUITABLE FOR LONG TRIPS ESPECIALLY IF MY WIFE IS DRIVING. CALLING THE DEALER AND NISSAN AMERICA GOT NO RESPONSE BUT THAT IS THE WAY THINGS ARE. A WOMAN PULLING A CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT NIGHT IS NOT SAFE.NOT HAVING PARTS TO REPLACE A SAFETY DEFECT IS UNCONSCIONABLE

Dec 26, 2019

DASHBOARD MESSAGE APPEARS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING "UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION". THE MESSAGE RELATES TO THE SYSTEM THAT AUTOMATICALLY APPLIES THE BRAKES IF IT SENSES A COLLISION DANGER.

Aug 06, 2019

AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING FAILURE WHILE MOVING ON A DAILY BASIS AT 39,000 MILES.

Jul 29, 2019

BRAKE SYSTEM SENSORS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WARRING LIGHT APPEARS ON DASH AND READS: FRONT RADAR UNAVAILABLE DUE TO OBSTRUCTION.

Apr 12, 2019

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 complaints

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the instrument panel was intermittently dim upon starting the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving the instrument panel eventually brightened before returning to a dim setting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions however, the technicians were unable to duplicate the failure. The failure persisted, and the contact stated that the instrument panel had gone blank before returning to a dim setting later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was informed that the Around View Monitor (AVM) unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,434.

Jul 03, 2025

WHEN DRIVING A ERROR MESSAGE ON THE FRONT RADAR RANDOMLY APPEARS. IT SAYS "UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION" AND AFFECTS THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS ERROR IS HAPPENING EVEN IN CLEAR ROAD CONDITIONS AND FOR NO REASON. OTHER PEOPLE ARE REPORTING SAME ERROR MESSAGE FOR NO REASON ALSO.

Dec 24, 2019

WHEN IS IN MOTION ON ANY TYPE OF STREET AND ALSO AT A STOP, WHEN GETTING CLOSE TO A VEHICLE OR IF SOMEONE CUTS IN FRONT OF ME, OR IF THERE IS A STREET SIGN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CAR, THIS MESSAGE APPEARS VERY BRIEFLY "UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION" WHICH ALSO SHOWS THE ICON OF TWO FRONT END OF CARS COLLIDING. THIS HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUCHASING MY 2018 MAXIMA. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT SAID A WORD ABOUT BEING AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN NISSAN VEHICLES. THE COST TO BRING IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOR ANY REPAIRS AT THIS POINT WOULD BE OUT OF MY POCKET SINCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS FAULTY RADAR COMPROMISES THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM IN THE CAR.

Sep 27, 2019

VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 complaints

360 cameras have stopped working on my vehicle. I've seen where there was a recall on the same thing, but my vehicle is not coming up in the recall. I did buy the car used, but not being able to use the cameras is definitely a safety issue.

Nov 14, 2024

PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY @ 70MPH ON HOT SUNNY HUMID DAY. AFTER RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR NISSAN SUNROOFS WITH NUMEROUS CLAIMS RESULTING IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CALFORNIA. NISSAN HAS RESPONDED TO MY COMPLAINT THAT THEY AREN'T LIABLE EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS UNDER NISSAN WARRANTY WITH THE EXCLUSION THAT GLASS IS NOT COVERED UNLESS A KNOWN PRODUCT DEFECT IS DETERMINED. MY NISSAN CASE NUMBER IS [XXX]. I'VE TURNED TO MY INSURANCE CARRIER FOR REPAIRS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

May 28, 2020

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

2 complaints

COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM CONTINUOUSLY DISENGAGES

Aug 03, 2020

FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION UNAVAILABLE WARNING COMES ON VERY OFTEN AND REMAINS FOR A COUPLE MINUTES UP TO 15+MINUTES. WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL THIS STOPS THE CRUISE CAUSING A SLOW DOWN. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION AND VERY OFTEN.

Oct 28, 2019

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the power door functions on the front driver’s door failed to operate on two separate occasions. Due to the failure, the contact had to enter the vehicle from the front passenger’s side before crawling over into the driver’s seat. The vehicle was initially taken to the dealer, and the front driver’s side door actuator was replaced. And on the second visit, the contact was informed that both the front driver’s side and rear passenger’s side door actuators were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Sep 04, 2025

WHEELS

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact started losing control of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the lug nuts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was not available.

Sep 12, 2024

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 complaint

The contact's son owned a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while the driver was driving 5 MPH, he noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that the driver opened the hood, and noticed that there was fire under the hood. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A fire department report was not filed. A police report was filed, but the police report information was not available. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V807000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included. The used car dealer the vehicle was purchased from was contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,533.

May 03, 2024

Fire: 1

TIRES

1 complaint

Four tires size 245/45/18 failed after 9 months and 6,500 miles. Tires were rotated after 5,000 miles. Dealer checked alignment at 6,500 miles all was ok. Two rear tires were bald, no tread, two front tires were worn to wear bar. Dealer sent tires for warranty 3/12/24 to date 4/22/24 Warranty information not received.

Apr 22, 2024

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the "Front Radar Obstruction Unavailable" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle independently slowed down without depression the brake pedal. As a result of the failure, several electrical features including the Forward Collision and Lane Keep Assist safety features failed to operate as needed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

Apr 06, 2023

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

I having problems with the transmission in the vehicle. The vehicle shakes during acceleration, you can see the gages on the dashboard shaking. When accelerating, the Gears won’t shift properly with a smooth flow. You can notice this in the RPM also when accelerating. I took the vehicle to the Nissan of St. Augustine Dealership and the diagnosis the vehicle with code P17F1 CVT Judder. The dealership stated I will need a new transmission totaling $6405.09. The vehicle maintenance is up to date and it have been very well taken care of. I noticed that this issue has been reported by many other people who owns Nissan Maxima’s. This issue needs to be fixed please.

Sep 11, 2022

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the engine, transmission, spark plugs, battery, and brakes were previously replaced by an independent mechanic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Jul 15, 2022

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

The contact owned a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, he became unconscious behind the wheel due to medication. The contact crashed into another vehicle however the air bags did not deploy causing his face to hit the steering wheel. The contact also stated that he fractured his back in 7 different locations as a result of the failure and required medical attention via ambulance. The vehicle was totaled and towed to his residence where Nissan came and towed the vehicle to the dealer. A police report was filed. The occupants in the other vehicle were not injured. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,357.

Dec 02, 2021

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

SHOW ME WARNING OF OBSTRUCTION ON RADAR FOR EMERGENCY BRAKE

Aug 21, 2019

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION. THIS ALERT HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN DRIVING, IT PUTS THE SENSOR IN AN UNAVAILABLE MODE WHICH IN TURNS DOES NOT ALLOW THE SAFETY FUNCTION TO WORK PROPERLY. I HAVE DONE SEARCHES ONLINE AND THIS IS HAPPENING NOT ONLY TO MAXIMAS BUT TO OTHER NISSAN MAKE/MODELS. THIS IS NOT A ONE TIME AND DONE OCCURRENCE IT HAPPENS OFTEN. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR SAFETY WAS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST CONCERNS LEADING US TO BELIEVE NISSAN PROVIDED SAFE CARS, APPARENTLY, THAT IS NOT THE CASE. IN MY OPINION, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FIX, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!

Aug 06, 2019

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

THE SEATBELT LATCH ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS. THE SEATBELT TWISTS WHEN LATCHED. THIS MAKES USING A CHILD CAR SEAT UNSAFE.

Jul 25, 2019

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

I RENTED A NISSAN MAXIMA 2018 FOR A ROAD TRIP. UNFORTUNATELY, I DIDN'T HAVE THE RENTER CAR INSURANCE COVERAGE I DECIDED TO GO WITH MY INSURANCE. HOWEVER, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESS WAY AND I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WITH NO KNOWN EXPLANATION. I WAS DEVASTATED. THERE WERE GLASS FLYING ALL OVER ME AND MY FRIEND WHO WAS WITH ME AT THE TIME. I FEEL LIKE THE CAR WAS A DEFECTIVE CAR AND UNSAFE CAR! THEY ARE NOW MAKING ME RELIABLE IN ALL THE DAMAGE COST TO A VEHICLE THAT I HAD NO CONTROL OVER. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE LAWSUITS FROM NISSAN KNOWN SUNROOF EXPLOSION. I'M NOT SURE IF THERES A RECALL ON THAT PARTICULAR CAR. I NEED SUGGESTIONS AND GUIDANCE. I WISH I NEVER RENTED THAT CAR....

Jun 24, 2019

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

WARNING: UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION APPEARS ON TH DISPLAY ALONG WITH A LOUD BEEP.

May 23, 2019

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

I WAS DRIVING IN THE RIGHT LANE ON A FOUR LANE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH GOOD DRIVING CONDITIONS AND A 70 MPH SPEED LIMIT. THE CAR WAS AN ENTERPRISE RENTAL. ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL USES THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKES TO MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE TO THE CAR AHEAD. IT IS DONE BY SENSING THE DISTANCE TO THE CAR AHEAD AT ABOUT 5 CAR LENGTHS THEN ADJUSTING THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKES AS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN THIS SPACING AND AVOID A REAR END COLLISION. THE FAULT IS SEEN IN CHANGING LANES. THE CRUISE WAS SET AT 70 MPH AND MY CAR APPROACHED A CAR AHEAD GOING 65 MPH. MY CAR'S ADAPTIVE CRUISE DECELERATED TO 65 MPH. I STEERED INTO THE NEXT LANE, AND THE SPACE WAS NOT THE REQUISITE 5 CAR LENGTHS, THE CAR SENSED A CAR CLOSER THAN 5 LENGTHS REDUCING MY SPEED TO LESS THAN 65 MPH. MY CAR WAS NOW SLOWING DOWN BELOW 65 MPH IN A LANE WITH CARS GOING 70 MPH. I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR, ACCELERATING TO 70 MPH, AVOIDING A REAR END COLLISION. ENTERPRISE DID NOT INFORM ME OF THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE FEATURES AND OPERATION. THERE WAS NO WARNING STICKER IN THE CAR STATING: "TURN OFF CRUISE CONTROL WHEN CHANGING LANES."

Apr 04, 2019

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4.7/5.0

82 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2018 NISSAN Maxima have?

The 2018 NISSAN Maxima currently has 33 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2018 NISSAN Maxima?

The most common problems reported for the 2018 NISSAN Maxima are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2018 NISSAN Maxima problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2018 NISSAN Maxima comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.