Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120–25K
625–50K
1050–75K
1175–100K
15100–150K
5150K+
59 reports with mileage · 19 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
78 reports
48,871 miles · Apr 21, 2011
Suspension
PURCHASE A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH 48871 MILES FROM GLENDORA TOYOTA IN CALIFORNIA AND FULL CARFAX REPORT WAS NOT PROVIDED TO ME AT TIME OF PURCHASE. TURNS OUT AFTER DRIVING CAR FOR THE TWO DAYS I NOTICE CAR IS DEFECTIVE WHEN DRIVEN CAR OVER 55 MPH ON FREEWAY THE BODY OF CAR GOES TO ONE SIDE WHILE THE TIRES GO ANOTHER WAY, IT FEE…
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PURCHASE A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH 48871 MILES FROM GLENDORA TOYOTA IN CALIFORNIA AND FULL CARFAX REPORT WAS NOT PROVIDED TO ME AT TIME OF PURCHASE. TURNS OUT AFTER DRIVING CAR FOR THE TWO DAYS I NOTICE CAR IS DEFECTIVE WHEN DRIVEN CAR OVER 55 MPH ON FREEWAY THE BODY OF CAR GOES TO ONE SIDE WHILE THE TIRES GO ANOTHER WAY, IT FEELS UNSTABLE AND DANGEROUS IT SWIRLS AND SUSPENSION FEELS HORRIFIED IT DOESN'T FEEL SAFE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH AND PRINTING MY OWN CARFAX REPORT I COME TO FINE OUT CAR HAS BEEN TO SEVERAL BIG NAME DEALERSHIPS HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRS FOR ALIGNMENT AND CHASSIS REPAIR OR LUBRICATION AS MENTION ON REPORT. I WAS NOT TOLD THIS A DEALER WHEN I HAD ASK CAR SALE MAN " HIS WORDS WERE CAR IS FIND AND NO PROBLEMS". I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS CAR BUT I HAVE NO OTHER MEANS OF GETTING TO WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10397026
38,000 miles · Mar 7, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HIS VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FRONT END AN EIGHTEEN WHEEL TRUCK. THE CONTACTS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND MUSCLE INJURIES. A PASSENGER SUS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HIS VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FRONT END AN EIGHTEEN WHEEL TRUCK. THE CONTACTS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND MUSCLE INJURIES. A PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.
NHTSA ODI #10386681
15,000 miles · Jan 7, 2011
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE GAP BETWEEN THE FRONT HOOD AND FRONT BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE BUMPER WAS BUILT TO FACTORY STANDARDS. THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,0…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE GAP BETWEEN THE FRONT HOOD AND FRONT BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE BUMPER WAS BUILT TO FACTORY STANDARDS. THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #10375147
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2010
Air Bags
MY AIRBAG MODULE SENSOR LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED , IT HAS BEEN FLASHING AND BECOMING VERY ANNOYING. I RECENTLY PURCHASE MY USED 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA 3 MONTHS AGO. I WENT TO THE DEALER, GOT A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK DONE AND WAS ADVISED IT WOULD BE $915 TO REPLACE THE MODULE BECAUSE I EXCEEDED THE 3/36 WARRANTY. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE A…
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MY AIRBAG MODULE SENSOR LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED , IT HAS BEEN FLASHING AND BECOMING VERY ANNOYING. I RECENTLY PURCHASE MY USED 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA 3 MONTHS AGO. I WENT TO THE DEALER, GOT A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK DONE AND WAS ADVISED IT WOULD BE $915 TO REPLACE THE MODULE BECAUSE I EXCEEDED THE 3/36 WARRANTY. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10331505
1,400 miles · May 5, 2009
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE CANNOT MAKE A U-TURN. THE TURNS ARE TOO SHORT FOR THE STEERING WHEEL AND NOT SHARP ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WILL CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND FILE A COMPLAINT. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE CANNOT MAKE A U-TURN. THE TURNS ARE TOO SHORT FOR THE STEERING WHEEL AND NOT SHARP ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WILL CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,400. UPDATED 05/26/09 *BF UPDATED 05/28/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10267792
500 miles · Dec 31, 2008
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM. HE NOTICED THAT THE INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND NO FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED AIR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE DE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM. HE NOTICED THAT THE INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND NO FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED AIR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT IF THE TEMPERATURE CHANGED, IT WOULD TRIGGER THE INDICATOR AS WELL. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT IF THE PRESSURE DROPPED TO -1 LB, THE AIR PRESSURE INDICATOR WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A FILE ALREADY CREATED FOR THE CONTACT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 19,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 500. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/10/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10253363
Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2008
Power Train
I WAS BACKING THE CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CAR STOPPED MOVING IN REVERSE AND MOVED FORWARD. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR I ATTEMPTED TO BACK IT AGAIN WITH THE SAME RESULTS ONLY THE CAR MOVED FORWARD ENOUGH TO HIT MY FENCE CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER SIDE BUMPER. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND THE SENT A TOW TRUCK AND TOWE…
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I WAS BACKING THE CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CAR STOPPED MOVING IN REVERSE AND MOVED FORWARD. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR I ATTEMPTED TO BACK IT AGAIN WITH THE SAME RESULTS ONLY THE CAR MOVED FORWARD ENOUGH TO HIT MY FENCE CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER SIDE BUMPER. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND THE SENT A TOW TRUCK AND TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WOULD PROBABLY NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER A FEW DAYS THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALL AND SAID THE CAR DID IN FACT NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A NEW CAR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS OLD WITH MAYBE 5,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10252900
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2008
Suspension
RATTLING NOISE COMES FROM SUSPENSION ASSY. OVER SMALL BUMP OVER LOW SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10250149
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2008
Steering
RATTLING NOISE COMES FROM STEERING COLUMN, DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION GEAR ASSY. HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10250147
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2008
Fuel System, OtherTires
RATTLING NOISE COMES FROM FUEL TANK WHEN IT IS FULL WHEN CAR COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP, OR SUDDEN MOVE. NOISE CONTINUE FOR 1-2 SECONDS AFTER THE CAR STOP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10250146
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE08045 · Transmission Hose Leak
Opened Jul 23, 2008 · Closed Oct 24, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
THIS PE WAS OPENED FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA VEHICLES BASED ON EARLY WARNING DATA THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE MAY HAVE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS RESULTING IN A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.THE LEAKED FLUID CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IGNITE.NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS IN THE HOSE IS EXCESSIVE STRESS DURING THE MANUFACTURE FORMING PROCESS RESULTING IN HOSE DEFORMATION AT LOADING ONTO A MANDREL, OR DAMAGE DURING UN-LOADING.REGARDING LOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, WHEN EXCESSIVE STRESS IS APPLIED WHILE LOADING THE HOSE ONTO THE MANDREL, HOSE DEFORMATION (WHICH LOOKS LIKE A BULGE) CAN OCCUR AROUND THE BENDING AREA.A CRACK WILL START TO FORM ON THE INSIDE OF THE HOSE AT THE AREA OF DEFORMATION.REGARDING UNLOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, AFTER THE CURING PROCESS, IN SOME INSTANCES THE HOSE STUCK TO THE MANDREL TIGHTLY AND THE OPERATOR HAD TO APPLY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FORCE TO PULL THE HOSE FROM THE MANDREL.IF THIS OPERATION WAS PERFORMED ROUGHLY, THE INTERIOR OF THE HOSE COULD BE DAMAGED BY THE MANDREL EDGE. NISSAN ALSO STATES, BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE HOSES RECEIVED INTERNAL DAMAGE, A DAMAGED HOSE WAS PRODUCED AS A RARE, RANDOM EVENT RATHER THAN SYSTEMATICALLY.THE TRANSMISSION HOSE SUPPLIER, COOPER STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE, IMPLEMENTED PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS THAT LIMIT EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE HOSE DURING MANUFACTURE. NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THIS TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE WAS ASSEMBLED ON MY 2007 AND MY 2008 MAXIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN REDESIGNED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE ON MY 2009 MAXIMA, AND THE HOSE IS MANUFACTURED BY A NEW SUPPLIER.NISSAN HAS ALSO SHOWN THAT THE LEAKS MOSTLY OCCUR WITHIN THE FIRST 2000 MILES OF SERVICE WITH A SEVERE DROP IN INCIDENTS BEYOND 2000 MILES OF SERVICE.MOST LEAKS HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED, AND THE ONE FIRE WAS MINOR. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
THIS PE WAS OPENED FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA VEHICLES BASED ON EARLY WARNING DATA THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE MAY HAVE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS RESULTING IN A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.THE LEAKED FLUID CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IGNITE.NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS IN THE HOSE IS EXCESSIVE STRESS DURING THE MANUFACTURE FORMING PROCESS RESULTING IN HOSE DEFORMATION AT LOADING ONTO A MANDREL, OR DAMAGE DURING UN-LOADING.REGARDING LOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, WHEN EXCESSIVE STRESS IS APPLIED WHILE LOADING THE HOSE ONTO THE MANDREL, HOSE DEFORMATION (WHICH LOOKS LIKE A BULGE) CAN OCCUR AROUND THE BENDING AREA.A CRACK WILL START TO FORM ON THE INSIDE OF THE HOSE AT THE AREA OF DEFORMATION.REGARDING UNLOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, AFTER THE CURING PROCESS, IN SOME INSTANCES THE HOSE STUCK TO THE MANDREL TIGHTLY AND THE OPERATOR HAD TO APPLY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FORCE TO PULL THE HOSE FROM THE MANDREL.IF THIS OPERATION WAS PERFORMED ROUGHLY, THE INTERIOR OF THE HOSE COULD BE DAMAGED BY THE MANDREL EDGE. NISSAN ALSO STATES, BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE HOSES RECEIVED INTERNAL DAMAGE, A DAMAGED HOSE WAS PRODUCED AS A RARE, RANDOM EVENT RATHER THAN SYSTEMATICALLY.THE TRANSMISSION HOSE SUPPLIER, COOPER STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE, IMPLEMENTED PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS THAT LIMIT EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE HOSE DURING MANUFACTURE. NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THIS TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE WAS ASSEMBLED ON MY 2007 AND MY 2008 MAXIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN REDESIGNED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE ON MY 2009 MAXIMA, AND THE HOSE IS MANUFACTURED BY A NEW SUPPLIER.NISSAN HAS ALSO SHOWN THAT THE LEAKS MOSTLY OCCUR WITHIN THE FIRST 2000 MILES OF SERVICE WITH A SEVERE DROP IN INCIDENTS BEYOND 2000 MILES OF SERVICE.MOST LEAKS HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED, AND THE ONE FIRE WAS MINOR. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
THIS PE WAS OPENED FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA VEHICLES BASED ON EARLY WARNING DATA THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE MAY HAVE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS RESULTING IN A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.THE LEAKED FLUID CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IGNITE.NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PINHOLES AND/OR CRACKS IN THE HOSE IS EXCESSIVE STRESS DURING THE MANUFACTURE FORMING PROCESS RESULTING IN HOSE DEFORMATION AT LOADING ONTO A MANDREL, OR DAMAGE DURING UN-LOADING.REGARDING LOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, WHEN EXCESSIVE STRESS IS APPLIED WHILE LOADING THE HOSE ONTO THE MANDREL, HOSE DEFORMATION (WHICH LOOKS LIKE A BULGE) CAN OCCUR AROUND THE BENDING AREA.A CRACK WILL START TO FORM ON THE INSIDE OF THE HOSE AT THE AREA OF DEFORMATION.REGARDING UNLOADING STRESS, NISSAN STATES, AFTER THE CURING PROCESS, IN SOME INSTANCES THE HOSE STUCK TO THE MANDREL TIGHTLY AND THE OPERATOR HAD TO APPLY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FORCE TO PULL THE HOSE FROM THE MANDREL.IF THIS OPERATION WAS PERFORMED ROUGHLY, THE INTERIOR OF THE HOSE COULD BE DAMAGED BY THE MANDREL EDGE. NISSAN ALSO STATES, BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE HOSES RECEIVED INTERNAL DAMAGE, A DAMAGED HOSE WAS PRODUCED AS A RARE, RANDOM EVENT RATHER THAN SYSTEMATICALLY.THE TRANSMISSION HOSE SUPPLIER, COOPER STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE, IMPLEMENTED PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS THAT LIMIT EXCESSIVE STRESS ON THE HOSE DURING MANUFACTURE. NISSAN HAS SHOWN THAT THIS TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE WAS ASSEMBLED ON MY 2007 AND MY 2008 MAXIMA VEHICLES.NISSAN REDESIGNED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE ON MY 2009 MAXIMA, AND THE HOSE IS MANUFACTURED BY A NEW SUPPLIER.NISSAN HAS ALSO SHOWN THAT THE LEAKS MOSTLY OCCUR WITHIN THE FIRST 2000 MILES OF SERVICE WITH A SEVERE DROP IN INCIDENTS BEYOND 2000 MILES OF SERVICE.MOST LEAKS HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED, AND THE ONE FIRE WAS MINOR. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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