This page covers 4 recalls, 99 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 Nissan Maxima.
25 mpg combined
9.4 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints filed against the 2017 Nissan Maxima cluster most around structural issues, airbag warnings, and forward collision avoidance behavior. On the structural side, owners describe roof panels developing cracks or surface damage that exposes the underlying metal frame. Airbag complaints center on warning lights cycling on repeatedly, with the sensor flagging different airbag locations across multiple resets rather than pointing to a single consistent fault. Forward collision avoidance reports describe the system activating unexpectedly or behaving erratically during normal driving. A smaller but notable group of owners report the car shutting off while in motion, with the steering locking up and making it difficult to maneuver out of traffic. Several owners also describe sudden loss of steering control, where the wheel stops responding to input entirely.
99
Total Complaints
7
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
5
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Nissan Maxima has 4 recalls, the most serious being a brake system defect where fluid leaks onto an internal circuit board in the anti-lock brake actuator and can cause an electrical short and fire.
This brake fluid leak issue is the subject of multiple recall filings, including a follow-up campaign covering vehicles that were previously inspected or repaired under an earlier recall but may still be affected. The remaining recall involves the passenger seat occupant classification sensor, which can misread the front passenger and cause the airbag to not deploy correctly in a crash, raising the risk of injury to that occupant.
At a glance
What can fail
The Anti-lock Brake System actuator pump may leak brake fluid onto an internal circuit board.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the ABS actuator at no cost to you.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The anti-lock brake actuator pump may leak brake fluid onto an internal circuit board, causing the ABS system to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the actuator serial number and replace the actuator if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ABS actuator pump may leak brake fluid onto an internal electrical circuit board, causing the ABS system to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the ABS actuator as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat's occupant detection system may incorrectly identify an adult as a child or miss an occupied seat. This can cause the passenger airbag to stay off during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram or replace the occupant detection and airbag control units to ensure proper airbag operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
