MYRModel Year Report

2012 Nissan Maxima

● Typical for this model
2012 Nissan Maxima
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:05:55.843Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Maxima Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2012 highlighted. 1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1985: 54 complaints 1986: 60 complaints 1987: 176 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 76 complaints 1992: 110 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1997: 102 complaints 1998: 113 complaints 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2000 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 1425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 78 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 95 complaints 2015: 1 complaints 2016: 142 complaints 2017: 102 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2021: 3 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 1 complaints 2023
2012: 107 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19824
19835
198430
198554
198660
1987176
198860
198962
1990106
199176
1992110
199378
199489
1995152
199696
1997102
1998113
1999165
2000360
2001172
2002205
2003206
20041425
2005948
2006576
2007129
200878
2009339
2010275
2011106
2012107
201362
201495
20151
2016142
2017102
201836
201918
202021
20213
20225
20231

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 24%

24% of complaints: air bags — 26 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

HAD A MINOR REAR END COLLISION. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR ONLY HAS 74,000 MILES. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AFTER CAR WAS REPAIRED. NISSAN DEALER STATED THE MAIN AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT WAS BAD AND THE WEIGHT OCCUPANT SENSOR WAS BAD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180715

ME AND MY WIFE WERE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND IN OUR 2012 NISSAN MAXIMA AROUND 30MPH ON WESTERN AVENUE IN CHICAGO WHEN SUDDENLY A FORD FOCUS 2007 THAT RAN A STOP SIGN TRAVELING EAST BOUND ON ROSEMONT AVENUE T-BONED US ON DRIVER'S SIDE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140306

Passenger airbag notifi action blinks and will not show it is activated to function in a crash. Airbag has never worked. Also driver seat belt keeps releasing without being pushed to open. Seat belt issue just began Dec 2023

NHTSA ODI report, 20231231

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 19 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 16%

16% of complaints: power train — 17 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

2012 Nissan Maxima with 94,000 miles began hesitating upon accelerating and jerking on [XXX]. Vehicle diagnosed at Don Franklin Nissan in Glasgow, KY with bad transmission. Transmission replaced.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250701

ENGINE 10%

10% of complaints: engine — 11 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
STEERING 9%

9% of complaints: steering — 10 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2012 Nissan Maxima — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (26 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (17 reports on file for this year).
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1984 ▲ 2018 ▲ 1985

WORST YEARS

■ 2004 ■ 2005 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2012 Nissan Maxima reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Nissan Maxima is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Maxima?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Maxima have?

No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.