2013 Nissan Maxima: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2013 Nissan Maxima? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 62 complaints, with Transmission / Drivetrain as the top reported area.
2013 Nissan Maxima Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA official fuel economy rating for the 2013 Nissan Maxima.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions.
2013 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 2013 Nissan Maxima has 62 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Transmission / Drivetrain. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Nissan
- Model
- Maxima
- Model year
- 2013
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 62
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Notable 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 2013 Nissan Maxima Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Airbag Malfunctions
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Airbag Malfunctions, Headlight/Taillight Failures. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2013 Nissan Maxima?
The 2013 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 2013 Nissan Maxima
Inspection Focus
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and drivetrain before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for airbag system repairs or replacements.
- Inspect headlights and taillights for proper operation.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and drivetrain before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for airbag system repairs or replacements.
- Inspect headlights and taillights for proper operation.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2013 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
Complaints for the 2013 Nissan Maxima are concentrated in the transmission/drivetrain and airbag systems, with a smaller number of headlight/taillight failures. The data suggests potential issues in these areas, but the low confidence level and single model year limit strong conclusions.
- Transmission/drivetrain complaints account for the largest share of reported issues.
- Airbag malfunctions are the second most common complaint category.
- Headlight/taillight failures are also notable among complaints.
- Transmission / Drivetrain problems are the most frequently reported issue.
- Airbag Malfunctions are a recurring theme in complaints.
- Headlight/Taillight Failures appear in a significant number of complaints.
All 2013 Nissan Maxima Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Nissan Maxima. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 24 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 16 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 8 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 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 2013 Nissan Maxima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
I have a 2013 Nissan Maxima in my headlights are horrible when they are on dim you cannot see in front of you so bad that it's liable to cause a bad wreck I have to ride with my headlights on bright and it's not much better I have replaced the bulbs in both headlights twice it ha…
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the third attempt however the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an indep…
1. Both headlights on dim are so dim that you cannot drive safely, they do not project in front of the car far enough to see at night, dawn or dusk. I am concerned if other cars I meet can even see me approaching. My flashlight shines brighter and farther. I have replaced the bul…
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at night, the driver’s, and passenger's side headlights were very dim, failing to properly illuminate the roadway, causing a visibility hazard for the driver. The contact stated that the light bulbs were repl…
The transmission is failing in my car it doesn't want to go. stalling out shuttering,jerking.
a recall and class action lawsuit was issued for the 2013 altima but not the 2013 maxima. they have the same cvt transmission, my cvt transmission on my maxima just went out. Both the maxima and the altima should have been included in these recalls if they have the exact same C…
I WAS TRAVELING FROM HOUSTON, TX TO DALLAS, TX MIDDAY ON MAY 1, 2021. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES OUTSIDE OF DALLAS ON I-45 TRAVELING 75 MPH WHEN I SUDDENLY FELT A SPUTTER AND THEN THE SPEED INSTANTLY DECREASED FROM 75 MPH TO 20 MPH ON A BUSY MAJOR INTERSTATE. I WAS ALMOST HIT T…
I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 NISSAN MAXIMA AS I NORMALLY DO EVERY DAY. THEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THANK GOD I HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO GET IT TO A SAFE PLACE AND OUT OF THE HIGHWAY. I ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE BACK TO BECAUSE I HAD THE MAKE A QUICK TURN TO GET IT OUT OF…
THE VEHICLE WAS IN A PARKED POSITION AT MY HOME. WENT AND STARTED VEHICLE AND FROM PARK TO DRIVE IT HESITATED BEFORE IT STARTS TO MOVE.
THE DIM LIGHTS APPEAR NOT TO BE ON WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT OR EARLY MORNING. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY BRIGHT LIGHTS ON. I THOUGHT THE BULB CASE WAS CLOUDY BUT THAT IS NOT THE SITUATION. THE DIM LIGHTS SIMPLY DO NOT SHINE AS THEY SHOULD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO MYSELF AND OTHER…
BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY VERY DIM LIGHT CAN ONLY BE SEEN 1 FOOT AWAY FROM THE HEADLIGHTS I HAVE EVERYTHING INCLUDING CHANGING THE H11 LIGHT BULBS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD WHILE THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED. THE VEHICLE WA…
THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS DO NOT REFLECT HARDLY ANY LIGHT ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT. IT IS DANGEROUS AS YOU CAN NOT SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT. MY FOG LIGHTS GIVE OFF MORE LIGHT THEN MY LOW BEAMS. I HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHTS AND IT MAKES NO DIFFERNCE. I HAVE TRIED 4 DIFFERENT LOW BEAM LIGHTS…
MY 2013 NISSAN MAXIMA SLOWED DOWN WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 60 MPH THEN A SPUTTERING NOISE FOLLOWS WITH A LARGE BOOM AND WINDING NOISE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK MY CAR TO AUTOZONE CODE STATED CVT TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD WHY WOULD I NEED AN TRAN…
I WAS STOPPING FOR GAS TO HEAD BACK TO WORK, THEN I REALIZED THAT A CLOUD OF SMOKE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE.
THE DIM HEADLIGHT SETTING IS SO DIM THAT CAR CAN NOT BE SAFELY OPERATED AFTER DARK WITHOUT TURNING ON THE BRIGHT LIGHT SETTING. IT IS A SAFETY HAZZARD! I HAVE BEEN A MECHANIC FOR 30 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH POOR HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS BUT IT HAS MADE NO DIFFER…
AS I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY FROM ARKANSAS TO TEXAS MY CAR STARTED MAKING THIS REALLY LOUD NOISE AS I WAS ACCELERATING. I WAS ONLY AT 60 MPH AND THE CAR WAS STILL MAKING THE NOISE BUT AS I WAS INCREASING MY SPEED TO PASS AND SWITCH LANES MY CAR SEEM LIKE IT BECAME STUCK AND WOULDN…
VEHICLE LOST POWER NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY ALMOST HAD A WRECK THEN THE SPEED PICKED UP OUT OF NOW WHERE. THE RPMS WERE CLIMBED TO 4 AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO AN AUTOZONE TO READ THE CODE AND IT GAVE ME A P1778 TELLING ME THAT THE S…
TAMARA RECALL: I WAS DRIVING FROM JACKSONVILLE TO ORLANDO WHEN THE RPMS SUDDENLY DROPPED AND THE CAR LOST SPEED IMMEDIATELY. AS I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. I HAD ENOUGH SPEED TO GET ON THE SHOULDER. I RESTARTE…
YOU FEEL THE CAR PULLING AND JERKING. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE HAD THE CODE CHECKED AND IT WAS P1778 - TRANSMISSION REVERSE I/P CIRCUIT. IT APPEARS TO DO THIS ON LONGER TRIPS OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOT AS MUCH AROUND TOWN.
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2013 Nissan Maxima.
2013 Nissan Maxima Recalls
0 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2013 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.
2013 Nissan Maxima Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2013 Nissan Maxima reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 62 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2013 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 2013 Nissan Maxima?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (24 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (16 complaints). #3: Headlight/Taillight Failures (9 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Nissan Maxima?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2013 Nissan Maxima?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2013 Nissan Maxima, NHTSA complaints include 1 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 62 total complaints. 1 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2013 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?▾
No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2013 Nissan Maxima in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.
Should I buy a 2013 Nissan Maxima?▾
The 2013 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 Transmission / Drivetrain 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 2013 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.