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2011 Nissan Maxima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Nissan Maxima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 99.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

64 reports with mileage · 42 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 →
  • Power Train. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

23 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2012
Air Bags

WE PURCHASED A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA IN NOVEMBER 2011 AND HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STAYING ON WHILE I AM SITTING IN THE SEAT. I WEIGH 115 LBS AND AM 5'1. I GOT NO HELP FROM THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I TALKED WITH THE SERVIC…

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WE PURCHASED A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA IN NOVEMBER 2011 AND HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STAYING ON WHILE I AM SITTING IN THE SEAT. I WEIGH 115 LBS AND AM 5'1. I GOT NO HELP FROM THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I TALKED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER TODAY AND SHE TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE OF MY SIZE THE AIR BAG WOULD DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. I WAS UNHAPPY WITH THAT ANSWER AND SHE TOLD ME SHE HAS DONE ALL SHE COULD DO, THAT I WAS WELCOME TO CALL NISSAN AND DISCUSS THE PROBLEM WITH THEM. I CALLED 1-800-NISSAN1 AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE THAT WAS HELPFUL. HE SAID THE WEIGHT LIMIT WAS 100LBS AND I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. HE OPENED A CASE AND SAID THE SERVICE MANAGER IN OUR TOWN WOULD RECEIVE A PHONE CALL AND ALSO GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER. I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454225

2,200 miles · Sep 23, 2011
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED OR NOT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADV…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED OR NOT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT NEEDED TO BE "BROKEN IN" BECAUSE THE LEATHER WAS HARD. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SUGGESTED THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200.

NHTSA ODI #10426924

450 miles · Jan 25, 2011
Air Bags

NEW 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS SOMETIMES FAIL TO ACTIVATE AT ALL OR ACTIVATE ONLY AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL (12-15) MILES WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SITUATION HAS OCCURRED ROUTINELY SINCE TAKING DELIVERY OF VEHICLE ON 10/14/10. CONSEQUENTLY, FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS ARE NOT PROTECTED BY THE AIRBAG …

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NEW 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS SOMETIMES FAIL TO ACTIVATE AT ALL OR ACTIVATE ONLY AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL (12-15) MILES WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SITUATION HAS OCCURRED ROUTINELY SINCE TAKING DELIVERY OF VEHICLE ON 10/14/10. CONSEQUENTLY, FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS ARE NOT PROTECTED BY THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. ALL PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN ADULTS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM 95 LBS, 5'2" TO 145 LBS, 5'8". HEAVIER PASSENGERS ACTIVATE THE AIRBAGS QUICKER. SELLING DEALER HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE SEAR BOTTOM CUSHION CONTAINING THE ACTIVATION DEVICE. OLD PART WAS RETAINED BY DEALER. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10378691

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.