2018 Nissan Maxima reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2018 Nissan Maxima has 36 complaints with NHTSA after 9 years, or 7 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Maxima years here — over the median of the other years, which is 4. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Antilock and traction control and Camera.

2012 Nissan Maxima — Photo by DestinationFearFan, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Service brakes (7 of 36), then Forward collision avoidance (6) and Electrical system (5). The most filings arrived in 2019 (15 of 36). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2017 and 2019

The 2017 Maxima has 103 complaints, 13 per year, and the 2019 has 18 complaints, 3 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2018 Nissan Maxima. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (2)

Recall hydraulic brakes, antilock and traction control 2019-11-08 · NHTSA campaign 19V807000

Summary Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

Remedy Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2019-09-12 · NHTSA campaign 19V654000

Summary Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Complaints by component (36 total)

Service brakes

Forward collision avoidance

Electrical system

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Speed control

Structure

Visibility and wipers

Air bags

Engine

Engine and engine cooling

Hydraulic brakes

Lane departure

Latches, locks, and linkages

Powertrain

Seat belts

Suspension

Tires

Wheels

Show 10 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"I am submitting this as a formal complaint regarding an ongoing and unresolved safety issue with my 2018 Nissan Maxima (VIN: [XXX] ). Despite multiple attempts to have this issue diagnosed and repaired, the problem…"
Unknown or other, Engine · filed 2026-04-17
"My rear passenger side coil spring broke. This is a dealer only item. I contacted the dealer and the item is on back order. It is my only means for transportation. I didn’t cause this break, and now I can’t even get it…"
Suspension · filed 2026-02-27
"In June 2019, while driving my 2018 Nissan Maxima, the vehicle suffered a sudden and violent mechanical failure. Without warning, the steering wheel jerked forcefully to the side, and the vehicle became uncomtrollabel…"
Unknown or other, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance · filed 2026-02-06
"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…"
Latches, locks, and linkages · filed 2025-09-04
"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…"
Electrical system · filed 2025-07-03

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2018 Nissan Maxima 4 DR FWD	5 stars	4 stars	5 stars	5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Maxima	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic (AV-S7)	Front-wheel drive	21	30	25 MPG	$3200

Specs and fitment

8th generation (A35), 2012–2023

Body styles Sedan

Oil 0W-20 (3.5L V6) , 5.375 qt capacity

Tire size 245/45R18 to 245/40R19 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 19V654000. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility." The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash. Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Compare

Previous year 2017 Nissan Maxima Next year 2019 Nissan Maxima See every Nissan Maxima model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Nissan Maxima reliable?

What are common problems with a 2018 Nissan Maxima?

Is the 2018 Nissan Maxima more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2017 Maxima has 103 complaints, 13 per year, and the 2019 has 18 complaints, 3 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

Has the 2018 Nissan Maxima been recalled?

The 2018 Nissan Maxima has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 Nissan Maxima?

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2018 Nissan Maxima with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2018 Nissan Maxima get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2018 Nissan Maxima is 25 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Nissan Maxima take?

0W-20 for the 3.5L V6 across the A35 years covered here (2012-2023). Confirm the filler-cap grade.

What tire sizes does the Maxima use?

245/45R18 to 245/40R19 depending on trim.

What does NHTSA campaign 19V654000 cover involving the Maxima?

Certain 2018-2019 Maxima vehicles among many other Nissan and Infiniti models listed in the campaign — confirm open recalls by VIN for the exact component and remedy.