2012 Nissan Maxima: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2012 Nissan Maxima? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 107 complaints, with Airbag Malfunctions as the top reported area.
2012 Nissan Maxima Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA official fuel economy rating for the 2012 Nissan Maxima.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions.
2012 Nissan Maxima Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
10.1% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
10.1% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2012 Nissan Maxima has 107 owner complaints, 6 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Airbag Malfunctions. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Nissan
- Model
- Maxima
- Model year
- 2012
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 107
- Crash-related complaints
- 6
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Top reported component
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 22
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 19 / 26
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 3/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 5/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2012 Nissan Maxima Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Airbag Malfunctions
Uncategorized Issues
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Airbag Malfunctions, Uncategorized Issues, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2012 Nissan Maxima?
The 2012 Nissan Maxima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2012 Nissan Maxima
Inspection Focus
- Inspect airbag system for any warning lights or prior repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for electrical and transmission issues.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect airbag system for any warning lights or prior repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for electrical and transmission issues.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2012 Nissan Maxima, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 107 NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Nissan Maxima, issues are concentrated in airbag malfunctions, electrical faults, and transmission/drivetrain problems. Crash-related complaints are low at 6, but the overall confidence is low due to limited data.
- Airbag malfunctions account for the highest number of complaints (27).
- Electrical faults and transmission/drivetrain issues are also frequently reported.
- There are no recalls for this model year.
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Electrical Faults
- Transmission / Drivetrain
All 2012 Nissan Maxima Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan Maxima. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 27 | 5 | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 23 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 20 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 13 | — | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | 3 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan Maxima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Nissan Maxima. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact stated that the mileage on the title was not available. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage w…
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. Then on [XXX], while driving vehicle, a loud noise from front passenger tire, tra…
Since 2018 to present day. I been having difficulties with the visibility from my front windshield at sunny days. The dashboard has this sticky substance that make the dashboard really shinny, and reflect the sun light on the windshield, blocking the view and make it hard to see …
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
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag failed to turn on while the front passenger's side seat was occupied. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the c…
Green wire burn throughout the entire wiring harness..From alternator to engine fuse box and also to inside fuse box.. Bypassing the blown fuses and/or relays!!
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately and started shuddering. The oil warning light, ABS, coolant temperature, and the ESP warning light were …
The contact owned a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that after returning from lunch and parking the vehicle at work, almost three hours later he was informed by someone that the vehicle was on fire. The contact walked outside and saw the engine compartment in flames. The c…
On June 9, 2022 @8:50am I was driving my Nissan Maxima to work and as I was at the stop light waiting to go through the intersection, the car shut off completely cutting off all power. I have push button and no electric was working. My jumper cables were in the trunk but I could …
Pressing door lock/unlock button on the door handles fails to lock/unlock all doors consistently. Rear door locks respond intermittently or not at all. Driver door often takes four button pushes to get it to unlock. Although it hasn't happened to me, I've heard other drivers m…
Dashboard melting/sticky, glare.
We are having issues with "melting" or "sticky dashboard of my 2014 Nissan Maxima. Difficult to see when is sunny outside.
This CVT control variable transmission in these cars go out so fast. The CVT transmission went out at around 115,000. We replace it because we pressed the gas and no acceleration when stop light turned green. Then missed the light then it accelerated late and almost got hit by …
Transmission problems.
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started to hesitate. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehi…
UPON COMING TO A STOP THE CAR DOES NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE, IT JERKS SOMETIMES, IF YOU GO CHECK ON ANY NISSAN FORUM OR YOUTUBE COMMENTS YOU WILL SEE THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HARM IN TRAFFIC OR CROSSING INTERSECTIONS, I AM VERY SURPRISED THE…
WE OWN A 2012 NISSAN MAXIMA (VIN [XXX]). WHILE DRIVING ON THE 215 FREEWAY NEAR HENDERSON, NV OUR MIDDLE PORTION OF OUR PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED/SHATTERED FOR NO REASON. HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IT REPAIRED BUT NO PARTS AVAILABILITY IN VEGAS, THE REPLACEMENT PART ARRIVED CRACKED…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL …
DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE MELTING/ GETS EXTREMELY HOT AND AS A RESULT IS STICKY.
WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (STRAIGHT AND AT A STEADY SPEED) THE HOOD SUDDENLY OPENED COMPLETELY, MOSTLY BROKE OFF THE CAR, AND FLEW INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE MECHANIC THAT INSPECTED THE CAR TOLD ME THAT THE MAIN HOOD LATCH WAS CORRODED AND NOT FUNCTIONAL, AND THAT THE…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Nissan Maxima.
2012 Nissan Maxima Recalls
0 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Nissan Maxima. No recall campaigns are currently listed for this model year in the dataset, but VIN-level recall checks are still essential. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
No recall campaigns found for this model year in the current data. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls directly for the latest information.
2012 Nissan Maxima Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2012 Nissan Maxima reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 107 owner complaints, 6 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2012 Nissan Maxima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Maxima?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (27 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (23 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (20 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Nissan Maxima?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2012 Nissan Maxima?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2012 Nissan Maxima, NHTSA complaints include 6 crash-related reports and 2 fire reports out of 107 total complaints. 7 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2012 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?▾
No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2012 Nissan Maxima in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.
Should I buy a 2012 Nissan Maxima?▾
The 2012 Nissan Maxima shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Airbag Malfunctions during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Maxima reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2012 Nissan Maxima based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.