NHTSA (USA)Critical
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.
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.
The 2016 to 2017 Nissan Maxima received five-star overall ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. The sedan earned five stars in frontal crash, side crash, and rollover protection. It received four stars in the side pole crash test. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a redesign occurs, so this assessment covers the entire 2016 to 2017 range.
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 fluid leak inside the anti-lock brake actuator pump that can cause an electrical short and start a fire.
The brake fluid leak issue has been the subject of multiple repair attempts over several years, and prior inspections or repairs under earlier campaigns did not fully resolve the problem for all affected vehicles, prompting an expanded effort to reach vehicles that were previously missed or deemed not to need repair. Brake fluid that seeps onto the actuator's internal circuit board can create a short circuit, and the resulting heat can ignite a fire in the engine compartment. On the safety equipment side, the passenger seat sensor that determines whether the front passenger seat is occupied by an adult, child, or is empty can malfunction and cause the front passenger airbag to not deploy correctly in a crash, leaving the occupant without full protection from the airbag system.
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.