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2013 Nissan Maxima Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 62 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Nissan Maxima, most often about the transmission (39% of complaints, typically around 105,500 miles). It is 17th of 24 Maxima model years by number of complaints.

Complaints62
Recalls0
Crashes reported1
Fires reported1
Injuries reported1

Most common 2013 Nissan Maxima problems

  1. Transmission

    24 complaints · 39%

    Half of these problems showed up before 105,500 miles.

    Driving down the 680 freeway in rush hour morning traffic. In fast lane going with speed of traffic (approx. 75 MPH) car suddenly loses power. Rpm start to go crazy. Car does not respond to accelerator. Dropped from 75 MPH to 0 MPH in matter of seconds. Very scary experience. Stuck on side of the freeway until tow…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 106,034 miles
    Tamara recall: I was driving from jacksonville to orlando when the rpms suddenly dropped and the car lost speed immediately. As I depressed the gas pedal, the car wouldn't accelerate no matter how hard I pressed the gas pedal. I had enough speed to get on the shoulder. I restarted the car and it drove good for about 5…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 105,000 miles

  2. Air bags

    16 complaints · 26%

    Half of these problems showed up before 4,500 miles.

    When an adult is in the front passenger seat, the passenger airbag light will occasionally light up indicating that the airbag has turned itself off.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 4,350 miles
    Passenger side airbag turns on and off with a passenger (weighing over 120 lbs.) seated with the seat belt fastened and the vehicle is in motion. The airbag shows off at times when the vehicle is first started if the passenger is already seated with their seatbelt fastened. Even taking the seatbelt off and getting up…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 6,033 miles

  3. Lights

    9 complaints · 14%

    Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.

    The dim headlight setting is so dim that car can not be safely operated after dark without turning on the bright light setting. It is a safety hazzard! I have been a mechanic for 30 years and have never seen such poor headlights. I have changed the bulbs but it has made no difference. I have read several foums about…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 60,000 miles
    The low beam head lights do not reflect hardly any light on the road at night. It is dangerous as you can not see the road at night. My fog lights give off more light then my low beams. I have replaced the lights and it makes no differnce. I have tried 4 different low beam lights and it makes no difference in the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2020, at 60,000 miles

  4. Other or unspecified

    8 complaints · 13%

    Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles.

    Car would accelerate to maximum throttle when sitting at red light or at stop I would have to apply brake real hard to hold it from taking off, shifting into neutral would just cause it to rev uncontrollably, I would have to turn the car off and on a few times to get it to stop. I took car to dealer and the claimed…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 62,000 miles
    I was sitting in my car motor off during lunch. I heard a huge explosion like a gunshot and I thought I got shot. I was shocked and startled I ran out of the car. I inspected myself and I looked around and I walked up to my car and noticed that my sunroof was heavily damaged. I called nine-one-one a police officer…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 55,000 miles

  5. Engine

    4 complaints · 7%

    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2024, at 7,500 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2013 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 2013 Nissan Maxima

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Nissan Maxima?
By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (24 complaints, typically around 105,500 miles); air bags (16 complaints, typically around 4,500 miles); lights (9 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Maxima have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2013 Nissan Maxima. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2013 a bad year for the Nissan Maxima?
It is 17th of 24 Maxima model years by number of complaints, with 62 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.

Other Nissan Maxima years

Nissan Maxima problems by year