Nissan · Known Issues
1990-2023 Nissan Maxima Problems: 18 Known Issues
1990-2023 model years · 900+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
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1990-2023 model years · 900+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
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According to Au7o's analysis of 900+ owner reports, the 1990-2023 Nissan Maxima has 18 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are SkyView Fixed Glass Roof Spontaneous Breakage (2004 A34) ($700-$1,800 repair), 4-Speed Automatic Transmission Wear / Failure (RE4F04A) ($1,800-$3,500 repair), CVT Belt Slip at High Mileage ($200-$5,500 repair), Crank/Cam Position Sensor Failure (No-Start, Random Stalling) ($150-$450 repair), Occupant Classification System Sensor Mat Failure (Passenger Airbag Disabled) ($150-$1,400 repair) and CVT Transmission Shudder and Failure (Jatco CVT8). The most commonly reported issue is VQ35DE Excessive Oil Consumption with 520 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $10 to $5,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or .
According to Au7o's analysis of 900+ owner reports, the 1990-2023 Nissan Maxima has 18 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: SkyView Fixed Glass Roof Spontaneous Breakage (2004 A34), 4-Speed Automatic Transmission Wear / Failure (RE4F04A), CVT Belt Slip at High Mileage. Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 1990-2023 Nissan Maxima has 18 known issues documented across 900+ owner reports. 6 issues are rated critical: SkyView Fixed Glass Roof Spontaneous Breakage (2004 A34) and 4-Speed Automatic Transmission Wear / Failure (RE4F04A) and CVT Belt Slip at High Mileage and Crank/Cam Position Sensor Failure (No-Start, Random Stalling) and Occupant Classification System Sensor Mat Failure (Passenger Airbag Disabled) and CVT Transmission Shudder and Failure (Jatco CVT8). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Nissan Maxima issues range from $10 to $5,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, SkyView Fixed Glass Roof Spontaneous Breakage (2004 A34), typically costs $700-$1,800 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Reliability varies across model years of the Nissan Maxima. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 1990-2023 Nissan Maxima with 18 documented issues documented across 900+ owner reports.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
The A34 Maxima offered the SkyView roof, a large fixed tempered glass panel over the rear cabin in addition to the front sunroof. NHTSA opened a defect investigation into 2004 Maxima SkyView roofs after reports of the glass breaking with no impact. The tempered glass on affected… Repairs typically run $700-$1,800. Severity: high.
The 4th-gen Maxima's 4-speed automatic (shared with the I30) is the drivetrain's known weak point. Neglected fluid-and-filter service lets debris and metal shards accumulate, leading to slipping, harsh or delayed engagement, failure to move in Drive, and eventual first-gear or fu… Repairs typically run $1,800-$3,500. Severity: high.
The Maxima equipped with the Jatco CVT experiences progressive belt slip as mileage increases, typically becoming noticeable after 100,000-130,000 miles. The steel push belt loses grip on the pulleys, causing delayed acceleration response, RPM flare under load, and a rubber-band… Repairs typically run $200-$5,500. Severity: high.
The crank and cam position sensors are a well-documented weak point on the 4th-generation VQ30DE Maxima. Internal solder joints and the sensor's electronics degrade with heat and age, producing intermittent or lost signal. This is the same failure mode Nissan later formally recal… Repairs typically run $150-$450. Severity: high.
The passenger seat cushion contains an Occupant Classification System pressure sensor mat and control unit that decide whether the front passenger airbag is armed. The mat's bladder or its pressure sensor drifts out of calibration as the seat foam wears, and the connectors under… Repairs typically run $150-$1,400. Severity: high.
Nissan NTB17-039R applies to 2016-2023 Maxima A36 vehicles equipped with the V6 CVT when the customer reports transmission judder and the TCM stores P17F0 or P17F1. The repair flow distinguishes P17F0 and P17F1, control-valve and CVT-chain inspection results, subassembly replacem… Severity: high.
The VQ35DE 3.5L V6 in the 2016-2023 Maxima can develop excessive oil consumption, burning 1 quart every 1,500-3,000 miles. The issue is more prevalent in higher-mileage examples and is caused by piston ring wear and PCV system issues. Low oil levels can damage the catalytic conve… Repairs typically run $50-$4,000. Severity: medium.
The 2004-2008 Nissan Maxima (6th generation, A34) develops power steering fluid leaks from the steering rack seals, high-pressure hoses, and pump seals. The rack and pinion seals deteriorate from heat cycling and age, causing fluid seepage that progressively worsens. As fluid lev… Repairs typically run $300-$1,500. Severity: medium.
The VQ35DE engine in the 6th and 7th generation Maxima is prone to ignition coil failure. Coils typically fail one at a time, causing misfires on the affected cylinder. The rear bank (cylinders 1-3) coils fail more frequently due to heat soak from the firewall proximity. Coil fai… Repairs typically run $150-$600. Severity: medium.
The molded rubber gasket and the integral spark plug tube seals in the VQ valve covers harden and take a compression set. The rear (firewall-side) cover fails first because it runs hotter and is the hardest to access. Oil weeps down the back of the block and burns off on the exha… Repairs typically run $250-$800. Severity: medium.
The distributor on the 3rd-generation VG30E/VG30DE Maxima seals to the head with an O-ring. That O-ring hardens and cracks with age, letting oil seep into the distributor and coat the cap and rotor with oily black powder, causing misfire and driveability problems. Excess crankcas… Repairs typically run $120-$600. Severity: medium.
The 3rd-generation (1989-1994) Maxima's VG30-series injectors are prone to failing electronically rather than from dirt, and the lower injector seals can fail to seat, leaking fuel into the cylinders. Owners report recurring failures causing rough running and fuel-fouling. Repair… Repairs typically run $400-$950. Severity: medium.
The Maxima uses four engine/transmission mounts: front and rear on the center crossmember, a passenger-side engine mount, and a driver-side transmission mount. The rubber cracks and separates with age and heat; the front and rear crossmember mounts fail most often, transmitting t… Repairs typically run $300-$800. Severity: medium.
Nearly every high-mileage 4th-gen Maxima eventually sets a P0400 (EGR flow insufficient) code. The root cause is almost never the EGR valve itself; instead the small EGR pipe and the port where the EGR temperature sensor sits pack with carbon, so exhaust gas can no longer flow pa… Repairs typically run $80-$300. Severity: medium.
The Maxima VQ35DE is known for premature catalytic converter failure, particularly the Bank 1 (front) converter. Failure typically occurs between 80,000-120,000 miles. The catalyst substrate deteriorates, often triggered by oil consumption issues inherent to the VQ35DE, rich runn… Repairs typically run $400-$1,800. Severity: medium.
The 2016-2023 Maxima develops a clunking noise from the front suspension, particularly over bumps and rough roads. The issue is caused by premature wear of the front strut mounts and stabilizer bar end links. The noise typically appears between 30,000-60,000 miles. Repairs typically run $300-$700. Severity: low.
The 6th generation Maxima (A34) is notorious for dashboard cracking, warping, and bubbling. The dashboard material degrades from UV exposure and heat, developing cracks that spread across the surface and a sticky, melting texture. This issue affects the top surface of the dashboa… Repairs typically run $50-$2,000. Severity: low.
The 7th and 8th generation Maxima develops a clunking or popping noise from the steering column area, particularly noticeable when turning the wheel at low speeds or going over bumps. The issue is caused by wear in the steering column intermediate shaft u-joint and/or the electri… Repairs typically run $10-$1,200. Severity: low.