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2011 Nissan Maxima: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2011 Nissan Maxima has 106 owner complaints with NHTSA and no recalls on file[1][2]. The two largest complaint groups are air bags and the power train, where owners describe passenger seat sensor faults and transmission trouble, so those are the things to check on a used one[3][4].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 106 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Maxima[1]. Of those, 5 mention a crash and 1 mentions a fire. NHTSA counts 15 injuries and no deaths in these reports[1]. Here is how the complaints split by component group. One complaint can name more than one group.
| Component group | Complaints | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 23 | 26,022 |
| Power train | 22 | 95,000 |
| Engine | 14 | 67,000 |
| Unknown or other | 14 | 94,550 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 112,000 |
| Steering | 9 | not listed |
| Structure | 9 | not listed |
| Speed control | 5 | not listed |
Sources for the table:[3][4][6][7][8][9][10][11].
Air bags. This is the largest group, with 23 complaints, 3 crashes and 5 injuries[3]. The median mileage is low, at 26,022 miles, so these problems tend to show up early[3]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe the passenger seat sensor not detecting an adult. The passenger air bag off light comes on and the bag stays switched off while someone sits there[3]. Several of these owners say dealers checked the car and found nothing wrong[3]. A smaller part of the sample involves crashes where owners question how the air bags behaved[3].
Power train. This group has 22 complaints and no crashes, fires or injuries[4]. The median mileage is 95,000, so these problems tend to appear later[4]. In the sample we read, owners describe transmission trouble: slipping, delayed shifts, revving without picking up speed, or losing drive on the road. Some say they were told the whole transmission had to be replaced after the warranty ran out[4].
Engine. There are 14 engine complaints with a median of 67,000 miles[6]. The sample is mixed. Owners describe knocking traced to the crankshaft main bearings, stalling while driving, and a few symptoms that sound like the transmission even though they were filed under engine[6]. No single issue dominates this small group.
Electrical system. The 12 electrical complaints include 2 crashes and 6 injuries, at a median of 112,000 miles[8]. Owners in the sample describe dead batteries, starter or no-start trouble, and door locks that stop responding[8].
Steering (9), structure (9) and speed control (5) have few complaints, which is too few to call them common problems[9][10][11].
Recalls
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2011 Nissan Maxima[2]. The same is true for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 model years[2]. Recall records can change, so check the car's VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Fuel economy
EPA rates the 2011 Maxima with the 3.5L 6-cylinder, Automatic (AV-S6) and front-wheel drive at 19 MPG city, 26 MPG highway and 22 MPG combined[5]. It calls for premium fuel[5]. EPA estimates the annual fuel cost at $3,750[5]. That estimate uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[5].
Safety ratings
The NHTSA rating in our data for the 2011 Maxima 4-door FWD is for rollover[12]. It earns 5 stars, with a rollover risk of 10.1%[12].
Engine and size
The EPA test car uses a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine with an Automatic (AV-S6) transmission and front-wheel drive[5]. The size figures below are Canadian-market specifications for the Maxima 4-door sedan FWD 3.5S/3.5SV, converted from metric, and US cars can differ slightly[13].
| Measurement | 2011 Maxima |
|---|---|
| Length | 191 in |
| Width | 73 in |
| Height | 58 in |
| Wheelbase | 109 in |
| Curb weight | 3,594 lb |
Source for the table:[13].
How 2011 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 152 | 0 |
| 1996 | 96 | 0 |
| 1997 | 102 | 1 |
| 1998 | 113 | 1 |
| 1999 | 165 | 0 |
| 2000 | 360 | 0 |
| 2001 | 172 | 3 |
| 2002 | 205 | 6 |
| 2003 | 206 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1,426 | 2 |
| 2005 | 948 | 2 |
| 2006 | 576 | 2 |
| 2007 | 129 | 1 |
| 2008 | 79 | 0 |
| 2009 | 339 | 1 |
| 2010 | 275 | 1 |
| 2011 | 106 | 0 |
| 2012 | 107 | 0 |
| 2013 | 62 | 0 |
| 2014 | 96 | 0 |
| 2016 | 142 | 8 |
| 2017 | 106 | 4 |
| 2018 | 36 | 2 |
| 2019 | 18 | 1 |
| 2020 | 22 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 |
| 2022 | 5 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 |
The 2011 Maxima has 106 complaints and 0 recalls on file[2]. That is far fewer than the 2009 (339 complaints) and 2010 (275 complaints) models, and a small fraction of the 2004 (1,426) and 2005 (948) models[2].
It sits close to two other years. The 2012 has 107 complaints and the 2017 also has 106[2]. Several years have fewer, including 2008 (79), 2013 (62), 2014 (96) and every year from 2018 to 2023[2]. The 1996 (96) and 1997 (102) models are also slightly lower[2].
Keep two limits in mind. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer cars have had less time on the road to collect complaints. Among the years from 2011 to 2014, all show 0 recalls[2].
Should you buy a used 2011 Maxima?
The 2011 Maxima has no recalls on file and far fewer complaints than the 2009 and 2010 models[2]. The two areas to check are the passenger air bag sensor and the transmission[3][4]. Sit an adult in the passenger seat and watch the passenger air bag light during a test drive, since owners describe it switching the bag off[3]. Power train complaints come at higher mileage, with a median of 95,000 miles, so service records and a pre-purchase inspection matter more on a high-mileage car[4]. Plan for premium fuel and a combined rating of 22 MPG[5].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the common problems with the 2011 Nissan Maxima?
- The largest complaint groups are air bags with 23 complaints and power train with 22[3][4]. Owners describe the passenger air bag sensor switching the bag off with an adult in the seat, and transmission failures at higher mileage[3][4].
- Does the 2011 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2011 Maxima[2]. Check the VIN on NHTSA's site before buying, since records can change.
- What MPG does a 2011 Nissan Maxima get?
- EPA rates it at 19 MPG city, 26 MPG highway and 22 MPG combined on premium fuel[5].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 106 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Nissan Maxima (5 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 15 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Maxima model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 23 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,022). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Maxima, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 14 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,550). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 112,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 10.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAXIMA 4DR SEDAN FWD 3.5S/3.5SV: length 191 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,594 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov