Nissan Maxima Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Nissan Maxima model year (2000–2023) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Nissan Maxima Years to Avoid
1 recall · 844 complaints
16 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Problem score: 879
2 recalls · 561 complaints
57 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 681
2 recalls · 373 complaints
9 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 397
Best Nissan Maxima Years to Buy
0 recalls · 1 complaint
Main area: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Problem score: 1
0 recalls · 4 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 8
0 recalls · 2 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 10
Found the right year? Verify that specific Maxima with a free VIN report.
Nissan Maxima — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 0 | 4 | 2 | — | 8 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 1 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 1 | 17 | 7 | — | 34 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 0 | 17 | 3 | — | 23 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 1 | 25 | 2 | — | 32 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 2 | 79 | 4 | — | 93 | Good |
| 2016 | 4 | 110 | 6 | — | 134 | Good |
| 2015 | 0 | 2 | 4 | — | 10 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 0 | 68 | 5 | — | 78 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 0 | 35 | — | — | 35 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 0 | 70 | 8 | — | 86 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 0 | 68 | — | — | 68 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 1 | 200 | 7 | — | 217 | Good |
| 2009 | 1 | 254 | 6 | — | 269 | Good |
| 2008 | 0 | 43 | 1 | — | 45 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 0 | 83 | 3 | — | 89 | Good |
| 2006 | 2 | 373 | 9 | — | 397 | Caution |
| 2005 | 2 | 561 | 57 | — | 681 | Avoid |
| 2004 | 1 | 844 | 16 | — | 879 | Avoid |
| 2003 | 3 | 122 | 7 | 1 | 150 | Good |
| 2002 | 6 | 144 | 12 | 2 | 196 | Good |
| 2001 | 5 | 107 | 5 | — | 132 | Good |
| 2000 | 2 | 251 | 17 | 2 | 301 | Good |
All 24 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Nissan Maxima Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2023Recent Maxima models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2023 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2015Mid-decade Maxima units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2015 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Maxima models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Maxima should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2004 Nissan Maxima if possible. It has 1 recall, 844 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 879 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Maxima to buy?+
The 2021 Nissan Maxima is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 1. It has only 0 recalls and 1 complaint on record with NHTSA.
Which Maxima has the fewest problems?+
The 2021, 2022, 2015 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Nissan Maxima Research
Check a Specific Nissan Maxima VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
Run a Free VIN Report →