VehicleVerdict

2017 Nissan Maxima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2017 Nissan Maxima sits mid-pack among Maxima years: 154 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 127, with 4 recalls and one closed investigation.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (25), airbags (19), and body & structure (17), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

154

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Maxima years?

See all Maxima years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Nissan Maxima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other2516%
Airbags1912%
Body & Structure1711%
Driver Assistance149%
Electrical System149%
Transmission128%
Brakes106%
Engine75%
Suspension75%
Tires & Wheels75%
Visibility & Wipers43%
Seat Belts43%
Speed Control43%
Steering43%
Fuel System32%
Lighting21%
Seats11%

Does the 2017 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V807000BrakesNovember 8, 2019 · 391,479 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

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.

18V601000BrakesSeptember 7, 2018 · 215,124 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Nissan Murano, 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

Consequence

A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

16V636000BrakesSeptember 2, 2016 · 120,329 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 19, 2016 and equipped with Intelligent Cruise Control, 2015-2017 Murano vehicles manufactured August 22, 2014, to August 19, 2016 and equipped with Intelligent Cruise Control, and 2015-2016 Murano Hybrid vehicles manufactured August 22, 2014, to July 19, 2016. The affected vehicles have Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps that may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal electrical circuit board.

Consequence

A brake fluid leak onto the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS Actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

16V244000AirbagsApril 26, 2016 · 3,296,947 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.

Consequence

If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

MY DAUGHTER PARKED MY CAR OUTSIDE AT APPROX. 10:30 P.M. AT 2:05 A.M, IT IGNITED AND EXPLODED. MY STATE FARM INVESTIGATOR SAID IT IGNITED DUE TO ABS ACTUATOR LEAKING BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE CIRCUIT BOARD. I CALLED NISSAN BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THEY CLAIM MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 23, 2019 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND NECK THAT REQUIRED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 20, 2017 · crash

A VEHICLE PULLED OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WAS STRUCK MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT-END DAMAGE THAT TOTALLED MY CAR OUT. MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 5, 2021 · crash

Car was parked outside husbands work since 7 at 12:15 pm he was advised by a co worker that my car was on fire ! When I ran outside my his workers where trying to put out the fire with the fire extinguishers from the work warehouse ! The fire department ended up finish putting out the fire ! The…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 22, 2026 · fire

I PURCHASED 2017 NISSAN MAXIMA SV ON JANUARY 23, 2019 WITH 40,584. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, POST PURCHASE, UNSURE OF DATE, "FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION" BEGAN APPEARING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON JUNE 27, 2019 A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP DOCUMENTED RADAR DISTANCE SENSOR REQUIRES REPLACEMENT.. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · June 27, 2019

2017 Nissan Maxima — common questions

Is the 2017 Nissan Maxima reliable?

It is close to typical for the Maxima: 154 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2017 Maxima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (25 complaints), airbags (19 complaints), body & structure (17 complaints).

Does the 2017 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Nissan Maxima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2017 Nissan Maxima under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Maxima years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among Maxima years belongs to 2023.

How safe is the 2017 Nissan Maxima?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 Nissan Maxima earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.