NHTSA vehicle safety data

2018 Nissan Maxima Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2018 Nissan Maxima has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 36 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Nissan dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2018 Nissan Maxima, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2018 Nissan Maxima owner complaints

Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Nissan Maxima, describing incidents dated January 11, 2018 to January 31, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Service Brakes 8 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 8 complaints
  • Forward Collision Avoidance 6 complaints
  • Electrical System 5 complaints
  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 2 complaints
  • Engine 2 complaints

Of the 36 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire; across all 36 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11731774 · Filed

    I am submitting this as a formal complaint regarding an ongoing and unresolved safety issue with my 2018 Nissan Maxima (VIN: [XXX] ). Despite multiple attempts to have this issue diagnosed and repaired, the problem continues without resolution. The issue occurs after driving for approximately 30…

  • ODI #11721046 · Filed

    My rear passenger side coil spring broke. This is a dealer only item. I contacted the dealer and the item is on back order. It is my only means for transportation. I didn’t cause this break, and now I can’t even get it fixed until it comes in whenever that may be. The dealership doesn’t have an…

  • ODI #11716091 · Filed

    In June 2019, while driving my 2018 Nissan Maxima, the vehicle suffered a sudden and violent mechanical failure. Without warning, the steering wheel jerked forcefully to the side, and the vehicle became uncomtrollabel leading to an approx 100-foot spin across a median. ​I have since verified this…

Read all 36 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2018 Nissan Maxima in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Brake Fluid Can Leak Into ABS Pump and Ignite

NHTSA #19V807000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · NHTSA notice

Reported November 8, 2019 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 391,479 vehicles

Repair completion: 62.97% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified December 16, 2019 · Vehicles built February 10, 2015 – May 22, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Park outside only — fire risk while parked indoors or near structures.

Defect description

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

Safety consequence

A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111

NHTSA #19V654000 · Back Over Prevention — Sensing System — Camera · NHTSA notice

Reported September 12, 2019 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 1,228,830 vehicles

Repair completion: 80.42% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified November 11, 2019 · Vehicles built April 1, 2018 – May 30, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Safety consequence

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Nissan Maxima model years

Check your 2018 Nissan Maxima VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Nissan Maxima at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Nissan VIN