The most-reported Maxima run is 1N4BA41E94C (2004 builds) with 110 complaints, 17.2× the typical run. Power train problems make up 38% of reports; 2004 is the worst model year at 32.9 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 34 recall campaigns for Maxima model years 1985–2020.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Nissan Maxima has 833 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 9% of every Maxima complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1N4BA41E94C•••••• | 2004 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1N4BA41E54C•••••• | 2004 | 2 | 4 | |
| 1N4BA41E04C•••••• | 2004 | 4 | 1 | |
| 1N4BA41E44C•••••• | 2004 | 3 | — | |
| 1N4BA41E34C•••••• | 2004 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1N4BA41E74C•••••• | 2004 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1N4BA41E14C•••••• | 2004 | — | 1 | |
| 1N4BA41EX4C•••••• | 2004 | 1 | — | |
| 1N4BA41E64C•••••• | 2004 | 4 | — | |
| 1N4BA41E05C•••••• | 2005 | 1 | — | |
| 1N4BA41E84C•••••• | 2004 | 3 | 3 | |
| 1N4BA41E24C•••••• | 2004 | — | 1 |
Each of the other 821 Maxima runs has 75 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 93 Maxima VINs so far, most often 2017, 2016, 2018 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Nissan Maxima the gap between build years is 32.9×: a 2004 car draws 32.9 complaints per run, a 2021 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 3 | 3 | — | |
| 2020 | 21 | 16 | 2 | |
| 2019 | 18 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 34 | 12 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 102 | 11 | 8 | |
| 2016 | 133 | 11 | 10 | |
| 2014 | 87 | 14 | 10 | |
| 2013 | 56 | 13 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 96 | 16 | 5 | |
| 2011 | 86 | 15 | 4 | |
| 2010 | 236 | 14 | 7 | |
| 2009 | 291 | 17 | 4 | |
| 2008 | 62 | 15 | 7 | |
| 2007 | 109 | 17 | 4 | |
| 2006 | 442 | 23 | 19 | |
| 2005 | 695 | 38 | 12 | |
| 2004 | 1020 | 31 | 25 | |
| 2003 | 171 | 30 | 11 | |
| 2002 | 175 | 31 | 22 |
Heaviest year here is 2004 at 32.9 complaints per run; lightest is 2021 at 1. The 2022 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 38% of everything Nissan Maxima owners report: Power Train, 1,791 of 5,317 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 30 | 5 | |
| Electrical System | 9 | 85 | |
| Steering | 18 | 4 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 | 35 | |
| Air Bags | 127 | 3 | |
| Service Brakes | 35 | 10 | |
| Engine | 10 | 13 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 | 8 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 34 recall campaigns on the Nissan Maxima; the 6 below cover build years 1989 to 2002. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1989–2002 |
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1989–2002 |
| 06E026000 | Exterior Lighting | 1989–2001 |
| 95V244000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap | 1989–1994 |
| 08E050000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1995–1999 |
| 06E049000 | Exterior Lighting | 1995–1999 |
The Maxima against its rivals
The Maxima draws 6.4 complaints per production run; the Toyota Camry 5.7, the Honda Accord 4 and the Hyundai Elantra 6. That is the highest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Maxima | 5,317 | 833 | 4.9% | |
| Toyota Camry | 15,758 | 2,788 | 15.3% | |
| Honda Accord | 20,581 | 5,117 | 7.8% | |
| Hyundai Elantra | 7,813 | 1,304 | 9.4% |
How serious were they
Of the 5,317 reports on the Nissan Maxima, 4.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Nissan Maxima | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 5,317 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 261 (4.9%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 256 (4.8%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 251 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 9 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Nissan Maxima share of that is 5,317 complaints over 833 runs, 0.48% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Nissan Maxima VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 5,317 NHTSA complaints from 833 Maxima runs and 34 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Maxima production run has the most complaints?
1N4BA41E94C, a 2004 build, with 110 complaints, 3 of them after a crash. The typical Maxima run has 6.4.
Which Maxima years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2004 is heaviest at 32.9 complaints per run and 2021 lightest at 1.
Does the Maxima get more complaints than the Toyota Camry?
Yes: 6.4 complaints per production run for the Maxima against 5.7 for the Toyota Camry.
How many Maxima complaints involve a crash?
4.9% of 5,317 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 256 involved a fire.
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