2013 Nissan Maxima problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (21) · Air Bags (16) · Exterior Lighting (8)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Nissan Maxima model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
51 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (106)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-107G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-027D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
can communication – network diagnostic flow chart this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB10-066C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
can communication codes – diagnostic tips and guidelines this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB17-019H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
window glass warranty information this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 106 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-12-19 · Exterior Lighting“i have a 2013 nissan maxima in my headlights are horrible when they are on dim you cannot see in front of you so bad that it's liable to cause a bad wreck i have to ride with my headlights on bright and it's not much better i have replaced the bulbs in both headlights twice it has not improved anything i think it is a very dangerous thing in could …”
2024-04-11 · Engine · 7,500 mi“the contact owns a 2013 nissan maxima. the contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was able to restart on the third attempt however the failure recurred. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine, the crankshaft…”
2023-11-18 · Exterior Lighting“1. both headlights on dim are so dim that you cannot drive safely, they do not project in front of the car far enough to see at night, dawn or dusk. i am concerned if other cars i meet can even see me approaching. my flashlight shines brighter and farther. i have replaced the bulbs for the dim lights and it did no good. 2. drove to california and w…”
2023-06-14 · Exterior Lighting:headlights · 120,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 nissan maxima. the contact stated while driving at night, the driver’s, and passenger's side headlights were very dim, failing to properly illuminate the roadway, causing a visibility hazard for the driver. the contact stated that the light bulbs were replaced but the failure persisted. the vehicle was not repaired. the caus…”
2023-01-12 · Power Train“the transmission is failing in my car it doesn't want to go. stalling out shuttering,jerking. …”
2022-09-27 · Unknown Or Other“a recall and class action lawsuit was issued for the 2013 altima but not the 2013 maxima. they have the same cvt transmission, my cvt transmission on my maxima just went out. both the maxima and the altima should have been included in these recalls if they have the exact same cvt transmission…”
2021-05-03 · Power Train · 139,700 mi“i was traveling from houston, tx to dallas, tx midday on may 1, 2021. i was approximately 40 miles outside of dallas on i-45 traveling 75 mph when i suddenly felt a sputter and then the speed instantly decreased from 75 mph to 20 mph on a busy major interstate. i was almost hit twice as i tried to exit the interstate with cars traveling upwards of …”
2021-04-26 · Power Train · 168,000 mi“i was driving my 2013 nissan maxima as i normally do every day. then without any warning it would not accelerate. thank god i had enough momentum to get it to a safe place and out of the highway. i almost got hit in the back to because i had the make a quick turn to get it out of the street and into a parking lot. and after i stopped the check engi…”
2021-04-18 · Unknown Or Other · 112,000 mi“the vehicle was in a parked position at my home. went and started vehicle and from park to drive it hesitated before it starts to move.…”
2021-02-25 · Exterior Lighting“the dim lights appear not to be on when driving at night or early morning. i have to drive with my bright lights on. i thought the bulb case was cloudy but that is not the situation. the dim lights simply do not shine as they should. this is very dangerous to myself and other drivers that i approach. i thought i was the only owner of a nissan …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.