2018 Nissan MAXIMA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
36,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 36 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 33.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 8; Service Brakes: 7; Electrical System: 5; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2018: 1; 2019: 15; 2020: 5; 2021: 1; 2022: 4; 2023: 1; 2024: 4; 2025: 2; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11193892 · 2019-04-04 (April 4, 2019)
I WAS DRIVING IN THE RIGHT LANE ON A FOUR LANE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH GOOD DRIVING CONDITIONS AND A 70 MPH SPEED LIMIT. THE CAR WAS AN ENTERPRISE RENTAL. ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL USES THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKES TO MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE TO THE CAR AHEAD. IT IS DONE BY SENSING THE DISTANCE TO THE CAR AHEAD AT ABOUT 5 CAR LENGTHS THEN ADJUSTING THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKES AS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN THIS SPACING AND AVOID A REAR END COLLISION. THE FAULT IS SEEN IN CHANGING LANES. THE CRUISE WAS SET AT 70 MPH AND MY CAR APPROACHED A CAR AHE…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11193892 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11195893 · 2019-04-12 (April 12, 2019)
BRAKE SYSTEM SENSORS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WARRING LIGHT APPEARS ON DASH AND READS: FRONT RADAR UNAVAILABLE DUE TO OBSTRUCTION.
Owner-reported narrative. 26,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11195893 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11474094 · 2022-07-15 (July 15, 2022)
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the engine, transmission, spark plugs, battery, and brakes were previously replaced by an independent mechanic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11474094 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11483922 · 2022-09-11 (September 11, 2022)
I having problems with the transmission in the vehicle. The vehicle shakes during acceleration, you can see the gages on the dashboard shaking. When accelerating, the Gears won’t shift properly with a smooth flow. You can notice this in the RPM also when accelerating. I took the vehicle to the Nissan of St. Augustine Dealership and the diagnosis the vehicle with code P17F1 CVT Judder. The dealership stated I will need a new transmission totaling $6405.09. The vehicle maintenance is up to date and it have been very well taken care of. I noticed …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11483922 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11515788 · 2023-04-06 (April 6, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the "Front Radar Obstruction Unavailable" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle independently slowed down without depression the brake pedal. As a result of the failure, several electrical features including the Forward Collision and Lane Keep Assist safety features failed to operate as needed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately …
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11515788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11442430 · 2021-12-02 (December 2, 2021)
The contact owned a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, he became unconscious behind the wheel due to medication. The contact crashed into another vehicle however the air bags did not deploy causing his face to hit the steering wheel. The contact also stated that he fractured his back in 7 different locations as a result of the failure and required medical attention via ambulance. The vehicle was totaled and towed to his residence where Nissan came and towed the vehicle to the dealer. A police report was filed. …
Owner-reported narrative. 39,357 miles reported. Look up ODI 11442430 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11716091 · 2026-02-06 (February 6, 2026)
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 leading to an approx 100-foot spin across a median. I have since verified this vehicle was subject to NHTSA Recall 19V-807 for an ABS Actuator leak that shorts the circuit board. This defect caused the crash, which resulted in a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with extremy worsening memory loss 4mm spinal shift (L5-S1). I have comp…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11716091 at NHTSA ↗