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2012 Nissan Maxima: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2012 Maxima has no recalls on file, and its complaint count sits in the middle of the Maxima range[1]. Air bags are the largest named complaint group with 27 complaints, and in a sample of complaints we read, owners describe a passenger air bag OFF light and transmission trouble[2][3].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 107 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Maxima[4]. Of those, 6 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 7 injuries, and no deaths are reported[4]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.
| Component group | Complaints | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags[2] | 27 | 30,650 |
| Unknown or other[7] | 23 | 58,000 |
| Electrical system[8] | 20 | 53,791 |
| Power train[3] | 18 | 90,000 |
| Engine[9] | 13 | 42,950 |
| Steering[10] | 10 | 38,975 |
| Structure[11] | 6 | not listed |
| Seats[12] | 6 | 35,000 |
Air bags. This group has 27 complaints, with 5 crashes and 5 injuries[2]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, 10 describe the passenger air bag OFF light coming on while an adult sits in the seat[2]. Owners say it happens on and off, and that dealers could not find a fault or said the system was working as designed[2]. Two of the 12 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[2]. If you look at one of these cars, sit an adult in the passenger seat on a test drive and watch that light.
Power train. There are 18 complaints here, at a median of 90,000 miles[3]. In a sample of 12 we read, 11 describe transmission trouble[3]. Owners describe slipping, the engine revving high without the car gaining speed, the car refusing to pull away, or a full failure[3]. Two of the 12 say a replacement transmission showed the same problem again[3].
Electrical system. This group has 20 complaints at a median of 53,791 miles[8]. In a sample of 12, owners describe power door locks that stop working on one or more doors (4 of 12), push-button start or key detection problems (3 of 12) and repeated battery or battery terminal trouble (2 of 12)[8].
Engine. There are 13 complaints, one of them a fire[9]. In a sample of 12, 4 describe the engine stalling or not responding to the gas pedal, and 2 describe smoke or fire from the engine bay[9].
Steering has 10 complaints[10]. Structure has 6, and 3 of those mention a crash[11]. Seats also have 6[12]. These are small numbers, so they do not point to a common problem.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2012 Nissan Maxima[1]. That means there is no open recall repair to ask a dealer about for this model year. It does not mean the car has no problems. The complaints above are owner reports that did not lead to a recall.
Fuel economy
The EPA rates the 2012 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 is rated for premium fuel[5]. The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $3,750[5]. That estimate uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA rates the 2012 Maxima 4-door FWD at 4 stars overall[6].
The side and rollover scores are top marks. The frontal score is the weakest of the three[6].
Engine and size
The EPA-rated version uses a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine with Automatic (AV-S6) and front-wheel drive[5].
The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications for the Maxima 4DR Sedan FWD 3.5SV, converted to inches and pounds[13]. US models can differ slightly.
How 2012 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 |
NHTSA lists complaint and recall counts for 28 Maxima model years[1]. With 107 complaints, 2012 lands in the middle: 13 years have fewer complaints and 14 have more[1].
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009[1] | 339 | 1 |
| 2010[1] | 275 | 1 |
| 2011[1] | 106 | 0 |
| 2012[1] | 107 | 0 |
| 2013[1] | 62 | 0 |
| 2014[1] | 96 | 0 |
| 2016[1] | 142 | 8 |
The 2011 count is almost the same as 2012[1]. The 2013 and 2014 models have fewer complaints, and none of 2011 to 2014 has a recall[1]. The highest count in the list is 2004, with 1,426 complaints[1]. Years from 2018 on show far fewer complaints[1], but newer cars have had less time on the road. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
Should you buy a used 2012 Maxima?
The 2012 Maxima has no recalls and a complaint count in the middle of the Maxima years NHTSA lists[1]. The two areas to check are the passenger air bag OFF light, which is the theme owners describe in the largest complaint group, and the transmission, where power train complaints have a median of 90,000 miles at failure[2][3]. Its safety ratings are good overall, with a weaker 3-star frontal score[6]. Expect 22 MPG combined on premium fuel[5]. Ask for service records, test the passenger air bag light with an adult seated, and have a mechanic check how the transmission behaves before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Maxima?
- The largest named complaint group is air bags, with 27 complaints[2]. Owners in our sample describe the passenger air bag OFF light coming on with adults seated[2]. After the unknown or other group (23), electrical system (20) and power train (18) come next, with transmission trouble described in the power train sample[7][8][3].
- Does the 2012 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
- No. NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2012 Maxima[1].
- What MPG does a 2012 Nissan Maxima get?
- The EPA rates it at 19 city, 26 highway and 22 combined MPG on premium fuel[5].
- Is the 2012 Nissan Maxima reliable?
- Its 107 complaints put it in the middle of the Maxima years NHTSA lists[1]. Air bag and transmission reports are the ones to watch[2][3].
- Is the 2013 Maxima better than the 2012?
- By NHTSA counts, 2013 has fewer complaints, 62 against 107, and both years have 0 recalls[1]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
Facts and sources
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Maxima model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 27 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,650). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA has 107 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Nissan Maxima (6 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). 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
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 10.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 20 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,791). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,950). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,975). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MAXIMA 4DR SEDAN FWD 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