Nissan Maxima years to avoid
The Nissan Maxima years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2006, 2000, 2009, 2010, 2002, 2003, 2001, 2016, 1999, 1995, 1987 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2023 is the cleanest year on record.
8,852
Total complaints
34
Recall campaigns
1982–2023
Years covered
13
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Maxima years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 1,725 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 1,152 | |
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 733 | |
| 2000 | High complaint rate | 467 | |
| 2009 | High complaint rate | 460 | |
| 2010 | High complaint rate | 399 | |
| 2002 | High complaints + open investigation | 278 | |
| 2003 | High complaints + open investigation | 249 | |
| 2001 | High complaints + open investigation | 225 | |
| 2016 | High complaint rate | 224 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 215 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 195 | |
| 1987 | High complaint rate | 194 |
Every Maxima year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 33 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 28 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 46 | 2 | |
| 2017 | 154 | 4 | |
| 2016avoid | 224 | 8 | |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 126 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 71 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 137 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 138 | 0 | |
| 2010avoid | 399 | 1 | |
| 2009avoid | 460 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 99 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 169 | 1 | |
| 2006avoid | 733 | 2 | |
| 2005avoid | 1,152 | 2 | |
| 2004avoid | 1,725 | 2 | |
| 2003avoid | 249 | 4 | |
| 2002avoid | 278 | 9 | |
| 2001avoid | 225 | 7 | |
| 2000avoid | 467 | 3 | |
| 1999avoid | 215 | 4 | |
| 1998 | 133 | 6 | |
| 1997 | 123 | 6 | |
| 1996 | 117 | 5 | |
| 1995avoid | 195 | 5 | |
| 1994 | 128 | 5 | |
| 1993 | 102 | 6 | |
| 1992 | 140 | 5 | |
| 1991 | 99 | 4 | |
| 1990 | 138 | 4 | |
| 1989 | 78 | 4 | |
| 1988 | 73 | 1 | |
| 1987avoid | 194 | 1 | |
| 1986 | 74 | 2 | |
| 1985 | 64 | 2 | |
| 1984 | 40 | 0 | |
| 1983 | 8 | 0 | |
| 1982 | 4 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Nissan Maxima years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Maxima years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2006, 2000, 2009, 2010, 2002, 2003, 2001, 2016, 1999, 1995, 1987. The cleanest year on record is 2023.
What is the best year for the Nissan Maxima?
By complaint volume, 2023 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Maxima years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Nissan Maxima have?
Across all model years, the Maxima has 34 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 8,852 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.