2012 Nissan Maxima Problems and Complaints

Users Opinions on 2012 Nissan Maxima

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iamjade
• 29/03/2013
Rating:
(2.5 Out Of 5 stars)
... drive in the city (just watch out for the wide turns). On the highway the handling is terrible and a lot of wind noise. I get frustrated when i have to sync my ipod because it doesnt work the 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd time. If you are interested in an Maxima, Please Go check out the Acura TSX/TL, Honda Accord, Lexus ES, Toyota Camry/Avalon.Read More
Source: edmunds

Nathan Dyer

Senior Editor,

Updated on August 7, 2024

The Nissan Maxima has been a trusted car for hundreds and thousands of people out there and it has been consistent in terms of reliability too. The current 2012 model of the Maxima has faced zero recalls and investigations along with just 99 complaints to date whereas the last year’s model had only 98 complaints. Issues with the airbags and the powertrain are among the most complained about aspects in the sedan while the last year’s model shares a similar case too.

The 2012 Nissan Maxima rivals some of the prominent full-size sedans in the segment such as the Toyota Avalon, the Acura TL, and the Dodge Charger. The 2012 Maxima reliability rating of 83/100 is also one of the best in the segment. That said, it is not without its quirks and comes with its own set of common problems. Check out the video below by "AutoTalk- Automotive news, Chat, and more" where he lists out all the prominent issues and problems faced by Maxima owners.

Key observations in the video:

Slow shifting CVT
Front wheels loose grip easily
Low features
Sports mode doesn't make much difference

Nissan Maxima user complaints and problems

Engine problems

Exploding battery: A single case of battery exploding has been reported against the 2012 Nissan Maxima. While the owner was driving out on a highway, there was a loud explosion-like sound with debris flying off from under the car. After the car was towed to the dealership, the battery was found to be blown which punched two holes in the engine as well.
Engine stall: In this report, a sudden engine stalling issue was mentioned. Soon after the owner stopped at a stoplight, the engine stalled. A faulty power steering pump was the reason behind the failure.
Unresponsive throttle: While crossing a busy intersection, the engine of the vehicle became unresponsive. Even though the owner slammed the gas pedal multiple times, the engine remained unresponsive for some moments but started to respond afterward.
Vibration from engine: As a result of failed engine mounts, the vehicle faced this issue. When the owner was driving the vehicle, he felt abnormal vibration from the engine. Upon further testing, the faulty engine mounts were the reason for the failure.
Mass airflow sensor fault: While the owner switched on the air conditioner, the system failed to blow cool air. The dealership visited by the owner stated that the mass airflow sensor was faulty and caused the issue.
Transmission failure: The transmission of several 2012 Nissan Maxima sedans failed prematurely. The owners further mention that right after the expiration of warranty coverage., the transmissions of the vehicles failed, needing a replacement.

Safety problems

Airbag sensor failure: The passenger-side airbag of several 2012 Nissan Maxima malfunctioned. Due to the malfunctions, the airbags turned off even though the seats were occupied.
Non-deployment of airbags: Like a lot of other modern vehicles, the 2012 Nissan Maxima also faced this issue. During crashes, the airbags of the affected vehicles failed to deploy, injuring the occupants.

Miscellaneous problems

Power steering failure: The power steering of several 2012 Nissan Maxima sedans suffered failures. The failures occurred while the owners were driving the vehicles. As a symptom, the steering wheels became too hard to turn, making the drivers lose control of the vehicles.

2012 Nissan Maxima recalls

The 2012 Nissan Maxima doesn’t have any recalls yet.

Should you buy a used Nissan Maxima?

The Nissan Maxima is surely a pricey car for carrying the Nissan badge but it does offer one of the best all-round packages in its class. The sedan gets almost everything right such as having a punchy V6, a well-crafted cabin with ample comfort, a plethora of features, and sharp handling. The price tag of the vehicle might veer away some brand-oriented shoppers, but the Maxima helps one to stay low-key without having to compromise on anything. In the reliability part too, the sedan has been going strong only to be troubled by transmission failures, a notorious issue with several other Nissan vehicles. Getting a used Nissan Maxima is absolutely a safe decision provided you find one example without the transmission issue.

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