KnownCarProblems2011 Nissan Maxima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 106 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Nissan Maxima, most often about the air bags (22% of complaints, typically around 26,000 miles). It is 13th of 24 Maxima model years by number of complaints.
Complaints106
Recalls0
Crashes reported5
Fires reported1
Injuries reported15
Most common 2011 Nissan Maxima problems
Air bags
23 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles.
Every time there is a passenger in the passenger front seat the air bag off signal comes on. It doesn't detect anyone in the passenger seat.
Front passenger side air bag shuts off and the status light illuminates even when the seat is occupied by an adult. This poses a potentially deadly result if the seat is occupied during a collision since the airbags will not deploy. This defect must be corrected or people could lose their lives or sustain serious…
Transmission
22 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
My car is very reliable until now with only 105,000 miles? My problem started about september 2020 when I started to hear my car make a rough sound suddenly, like a winding noise when I accelerate and when I let off the gas as well. I didn't think much of it until I took it to a Nissan dealer to have them check it…
Transmission: the service engine soon indicator was on so I took my car in for service. When I received the diagnosis I was told that my transmission needs to be replaced. My car is just 3yrs old and has 98k miles. I was informed that this is not covered under warranty as the extended warranty expired at 75k miles.…
Engine
14 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles.
This is my third Nissan Maxima and they all had the same idsue with the mass air flow sensor. Set off check engine light and makes car hesitate when accerlerating. My mom owns a 2013 Maxima 45000 miles and has the same issue with check engine light.
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized. In addition, the vehicle stalled as all the warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…
Other or unspecified
14 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 94,500 miles.
While driving home from work tonight on a remote stretch of highway my panoramic sunroof suddenly exploded out of nowhere. I was driving about 50 MPH and the outside temperature was about 45-50 degrees so I also had the heater on inside. I had the sunshade open but the tilting portion of the roof closed. Nothing out…
I was driving down 240 in memphis and my sun roof exploded . It's the panorama sunroof. I wasn't near an over pass or near anything that could have hit it . It was extremely loud. It sounded like a shot gun blast or something . I swerved and almost wrecked but thankfully did not . I have done research and seen where…
Electrical
12 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 112,000 miles.
When locking and unlocking doors, the drivers door is not responding from the remote, same exact thing on my murano, and then effecting the fuel door cap.
My transmission messed up on me with 114,000 miles! Brand new almost and when it would go over 45 it won't catch my gears the RPM would go stay put and make a loud whining noise!!
Steering
9 complaints · 9%Steering locked..car will not start. I have to paying for getting the car towed to the dealership. Luckily, I am under 36,000 miles so covered by warranty but will not cover expense for towing the car. I read this is very common issue with Nissan Maxima and feel that company should own responsibility for it.
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized. In addition, the vehicle stalled as all the warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…
Body and structure
9 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: body, interior panels.
The rear glass panel of sunroof "exploded" with chunks of glass coming off the panel and over the next few hours the entire panel exhibited major cracking throughout. Sunroof was closed at the time and outside temperature was about 45 degrees. Wife was slowing on highway to turn into driveway. She stated the nearest…
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the dashboard melted and caused a glare from the sun. The vehicle was taken to naples Nissan (3640 pine ridge rd, naples, fl 34109, [phone]) where the failure was confirmed, but not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and…
Visibility and wipers
7 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly.
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Maxima. While driving at an unknown speed, the sun roof exploded without warning or an impact. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to sandy sansing Nissan (located at 5705 pensacola blvd, pensacola, fl 32505, ([phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was…
I have a 2011 Nissan Maxima. The sunroof busted while I was driving down the high way. I had to go to the eye doctor for glass particles being in my eye, and I took the car to the dealership and they could not help me according to the service rep. I bought this car at moore Nissan in birmingham alabama, and they did…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 Nissan Maxima recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2011 Nissan Maxima
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Nissan Maxima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (23 complaints, typically around 26,000 miles); transmission (22 complaints, typically around 95,000 miles); engine (14 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 Nissan Maxima have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2011 Nissan Maxima. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the Nissan Maxima?
- It is 13th of 24 Maxima model years by number of complaints, with 106 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.