My steering failed completely while driving, making it nearly impossible to turn.
- NHTSA ID
- 11709444
- Incident
- Dec 15, 2025
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 106 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Nissan Maxima, most frequently naming the airbags, powertrain (other) and engine categories. 115 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2014 | 2 | 13 |
| Apr 2014 | 2 | 15 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 16 |
| Jul 2014 | 3 | 19 |
| Sep 2014 | 1 | 20 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 21 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 22 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 23 |
| Jan 2015 | 1 | 24 |
| Feb 2015 | 2 | 26 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 27 |
| Sep 2015 | 3 | 30 |
| Oct 2015 | 2 | 32 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 33 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 34 |
| Jan 2016 | 3 | 37 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 38 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 39 |
| Jul 2016 | 1 | 40 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 41 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 42 |
| Nov 2016 | 1 | 43 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 44 |
| Jan 2017 | 3 | 47 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 48 |
| Apr 2017 | 1 | 49 |
| Jun 2017 | 2 | 51 |
| Jul 2017 | 1 | 52 |
| Aug 2017 | 2 | 54 |
| Nov 2017 | 3 | 57 |
| Jan 2018 | 2 | 59 |
| Feb 2018 | 4 | 63 |
| Mar 2018 | 2 | 65 |
| May 2018 | 1 | 66 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 67 |
| Sep 2018 | 2 | 69 |
| Oct 2018 | 2 | 71 |
| Nov 2018 | 1 | 72 |
| Apr 2019 | 3 | 75 |
| Jun 2019 | 3 | 78 |
| Aug 2019 | 1 | 79 |
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 80 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 81 |
| Apr 2020 | 1 | 82 |
| Jul 2020 | 3 | 85 |
| Aug 2020 | 3 | 88 |
| Nov 2020 | 2 | 90 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 91 |
| Mar 2021 | 3 | 94 |
| Apr 2021 | 2 | 96 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 97 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 98 |
| Nov 2022 | 1 | 99 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 100 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 101 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 102 |
| Aug 2023 | 1 | 103 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 104 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 105 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 106 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
My steering failed completely while driving, making it nearly impossible to turn.
Airbag warning came on. I took to dealership for diagnostic. There was malfunction with the passenger airbag. Seat coushin needed to be replaced so the “normal” wear and tear airbag would no longer be an issue. Nissan stated this is not a safety concern and all expenses were out of pocket.
The transmission is slipping it’s a cvt and they’re known for being the worst transmissions. I was entering the highway on a on ramp and I could no longer accelerate past 55 I was near flooring it and you can hear the engine working but the rpm’s are all over the odometer going from 3k-6.5k over and over. The problem has not been diagnosed professionally. The vehicle has not been inspected professionally.There were no lights on the dash when this began happening and nothing occurred that led up to that situation it was just a normal drive for me and now this happens every other day.
We are the original owners of a 2011 Nissan Maxima. The dashboard material is deteriorating, creating a sticky and shiny patch across the base of the windshield which is distracting and highly reflective creating glare from the sun and bright lights impeding the ability to safely drive. The dashboard is also cracking and releasing small parts of black dashboard material throughout the car and the passengers. Online research shows this problem has been reported by many Nissan vehicle owners, at our most recent Nissan service appointment, we asked for assistance to have the part replaced and was told we would have to call Nissan directly to request the repair as it was not a recall item. We called Nissan's Consumer Affairs and was told there is no support from Nissan to provide assistance and any repair we desired would be at our own cost. Additionally, in our online research there are pending class action lawsuits for this part to be replaced by the manufacturer. There is potential health hazards to the exposure of the deteriorating dashboard. We have NOT contacted our insurance company for a complaint or repair at this time. It was first noticed about 1 year ago while I was cleaning the car as the duster stuck to the dash in that area and we are now getting to the issue as it continues to further deteriorate.
Cvt transmission jerking , engine is always idling hard sometimes wants to even shut off , accelerating sometimes takes a lil while to respond , rack and pinion assembly faulty I would like for nissan to fix my car or get a lump sum check for all faulty errors these cars have
Dashboard is melting which is making it extremely sticky but the worst part is that it is causing a visibility issues while driving. The glare is really bad.
Hi I bought car Nissan maxima 2011 transmission not working well when I driving I stopped at the traffic after that car does not move forward
Passenger seat airbag sensor has failed
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
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
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
REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 44.5 |
| 2019 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 50.4 |
| 2018 | 36 | 2 | 1 | 55.1 |
| 2017 | 103 | 4 | 1 | 62.5 |
| 2016 | 142 | 8 | 1 | 59.4 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 95 | 0 | 0 | 40.1 |
| 2013 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 34.2 |
| 2012 | 107 | 0 | 0 | 36.8 |
| 2011Viewing | 106 | 0 | 0 | 36.5 |
| 2010 | 275 | 1 | 0 | 38.8 |
| 2009 | 339 | 1 | 0 | 38.4 |
| 2008 | 78 | 0 | 1 | 40.7 |
| 2007 | 129 | 1 | 1 | 40.9 |
| 2006 | 576 | 2 | 0 | 44.8 |
| 2005 | 948 | 2 | 0 | 45.1 |
| 2004 | 1,425 | 2 | 1 | 49.3 |
| 2003 | 206 | 4 | 1 | 53.8 |
| 2002 | 205 | 9 | 1 | 59.5 |
| 2001 | 172 | 7 | 1 | 54.2 |
| 2000 | 360 | 3 | 0 | 51.0 |
| 1999 | 165 | 4 | 0 | 50.3 |
| 1998 | 113 | 6 | 0 | 57.5 |
| 1997 | 102 | 6 | 1 | 63.2 |
| 1996 | 96 | 5 | 0 | 54.9 |
| 1995 | 152 | 5 | 3 | 63.1 |
| 1994 | 89 | 5 | 0 | 52.5 |
| 1993 | 78 | 6 | 1 | 61.1 |
| 1992 | 110 | 5 | 2 | 62.7 |
| 1991 | 76 | 4 | 0 | 54.0 |
| 1990 | 106 | 4 | 0 | 53.2 |
| 1989 | 62 | 4 | 0 | 55.9 |
| 1988 | 60 | 1 | 2 | 63.3 |
| 1987 | 176 | 1 | 2 | 65.2 |
| 1986 | 60 | 2 | 2 | 70.7 |
| 1985 | 54 | 2 | 2 | 71.4 |
| 1984 | 30 | 0 | 2 | 51.1 |
| 1983 | 5 | 0 | 2 | — |
| 1982 | 4 | 0 | 2 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.