2011 Nissan Maxima problems
Owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Nissan Maxima. Air bags is the most reported problem area, at 17% of complaints. After that come drivetrain & axles (15%) and engine (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 138 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 17% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 9 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 27 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 70,000 miles 82 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 9 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 11 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 13 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 12 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 11 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 18 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 7 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 82 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 70,000 miles. For air bags specifically, the median reported mileage is about 26,000 miles (11 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 9 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 27 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2011 ranks 17th most-complained-about out of 30 model years of the Nissan Maxima with enough data (61 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
S10 direct reply - letter expressing safety concerns with the 2011 nissan maxima safety, defect, and compliance. The consumer stated the vehicle was involved in a crash. Controlling the speed and direction of the vehicle became difficult. The steering wheel turned loosely and became unresponsive. The passengers received life threatening injuries. See also odi 10816663. *dsy
I hit a deer going 65 MPH. None of my air bags deployed. My car sustained $12,600 in damage. I sustained a sprained neck and a sprained shoulder requiring a splint for comfort. I also sustained a possible pinched nerve in my neck and severe back pain.
My transmission messed up on me with 114,000 miles! Brand new almost and when it would go over 45 it won't catch my gears the RPM would go stay put and make a loud whining noise!!
My brake light and battery light come on at the same time. My went dead in the middle of a turn. I replaced the battery. Had the alternator checked. Was told it was fine. After a new battery my car runs fine but loses power and hesitates like its going to stall from take off or entering a turn and my brake and battery are still coming on at the same time. I googled the issue and it appears be a long standing issue no real resolution.