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2012 Nissan Maxima Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2012 Nissan Maxima has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “CVT transmission hesitation, jerking, and failure.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2012 Nissan Maxima.

Reported to NHTSA

CVT transmission hesitation, jerking, and failure

POWER TRAIN

17 NHTSA complaints · 2014-05 → 2025-07

“TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 64,000 MILES AND STOPPED WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND IT FAILED AGAIN A SECOND TIME WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10954057
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11423254
“WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, REVVED, AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11104486

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Door lock actuator and keyless entry malfunction

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2013-11 → 2016-05

“ALL 4 DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAIL AT THE SAME TIME. DOOR LOCK SWITCH AND REMOTE FAIL TO LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOORS AND THE ISSUE STARTED ON ALL 4 DOORS ON THE SAME DAY WITH NO REASON AS TO WHY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10825973
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE OR WHEN INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE ' NO KEY' WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10862459
“THE IGNITION LOCKS UP, STRANDING ME. THE PUSH BUTTON START WILL NOT ENGAGE THE STARTED, OR WILL OCCASIONALLY MAKE A CLICKING NOISE WITHOUT STARTING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10703550

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Driver seat rocking or loose seat frame

SEATS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2014-07 → 2018-08

“DRIVER SEAT ROCKS SLIGHTLY ON TAKE OFF ACCELERATION OR SLOWING OF VEHICLE. HAS EXISTED SINCE CAR WAS NEW AND RECURS FREQUENTLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10614703
“THE DRIVER SEAT HAS A SLIGHT ROCK WHEN TAKING OFF AND BREAKING. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED BACK IN OCTOBER 2014 FROM A HONDA DEALER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10679624
“SEATS MOVE FORWARD AND BACK WHILE IN MOTION AND BRAKING. FEELS LIKE THE SEAT IS LOOSELY ATTACHED TO VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11123075

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger-seat airbag-off warning with adult occupant

AIR BAGS

18 NHTSA complaints · 2013-04 → 2023-12

“THERE IS A NEW RECALL FOR AIRBAG SENSER MISINTERPRETING THE WEIGHT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IN MANY NISSAN MODELS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR, MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL - BUT I HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10871832
“VEHICLE INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS ON WHEN SEAT IS VACANT; OFF WITH SEAT IS OCCUPIED. THE PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR EVERY TIME, BUT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. THE DEALER CLAIMS TO BE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND HAS DEEMED THE VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10746207
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11539116

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbags not deploying during a crash

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2014-12 → 2018-07

“HAD A MINOR REAR END COLLISION. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR ONLY HAS 74,000 MILES. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AFTER CAR WAS REPAIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11111390
“THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO OPEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT. THE FRONT BUMPER WAS SMASHED AND MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE PREVENTED INJURIES IF THE AIRBAGS HAD OPEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10918882
“LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND SPUN AROUND AND HIT THE FREEWAY CENTER DIVIDER DIRECTLY HEAD ON AT 60MPH WITHOUT ANY AIRBAGS DEPLOYING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10662228

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering pump failure causing loss of steering assist

STEERING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2014-02 → 2019-12

“TOTAL AND ABRUPT FAILURE AND LOSS OF STEERING WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10564549
“I WAS DRIVING ON RT41 NEAR CHICAGO IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT 65MPH AND TRIED TO CHANGE THE LANE TO GET INTO LEFT LANE FROM MIDDLE LANE, RIGHT THEN WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING SLIGHT LEFT TO CHANGE LANE, IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING OF MY CAR GOT LOCKED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10562532
“WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11063108

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD and 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

91 crashes 1990–2024

How the 91 occupant deaths break down

70

driver deaths

21

passenger deaths

91

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2012 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

6

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2012 Nissan Maxima reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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