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2013 Nissan Maxima Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2013 Nissan Maxima has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “CVT transmission failure and loss of acceleration.” 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 2013 Nissan Maxima.

Reported to NHTSA

CVT transmission failure and loss of acceleration

POWER TRAIN

24 NHTSA complaints · 2015-05 → 2023-01

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11415064
“VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 91K MILES ON IT AND THE CVT TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY TYPE OF NOTIFICATION OF CHANGE OF FLUID LEVELS OR THE NEED TO ADD FLUIDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10983320
“2013 NISSAN MAXIMA SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. IT WILL SHIFT INTO A LOWER GEAR ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND BRING THE RPMS UP TO 5000 OR GREATER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10970760

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Dim low-beam headlights

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

9 NHTSA complaints · 2018-09 → 2025-12

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11527029
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11311632
“LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM THEY CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11191065

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sunroof or moonroof spontaneous shattering

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2016-06 → 2018-02

“I WAS SITTING IN MY CAR MOTOR OFF DURING LUNCH. I HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION LIKE A GUNSHOT AND I THOUGHT I GOT SHOT. I WAS SHOCKED AND STARTLED I RAN OUT OF THE CAR. I INSPECTED MYSELF AND I LOOKED AROUND AND I WALKED UP TO MY CAR AND NOTICED THAT MY SUNROOF WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11065411
“EXPLODING SUNROOF. WHILE DRIVING (ABOUT 65 MPH) ON INTERSTATE IN HOUSTON, SUNROOF/MOONROOF EXPLODED. 6:45AM ON FRIDAY NOV 17, 2017”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11046956
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. I TOOK AN EXIT RAMP TO GET ON THE BELTWAY, AS I WAS HEADING TO THE BELTWAY, I HEARD A LOUD "POP" SOUND, AND AS I SLOWED DOWN TO PULL OVER, THINKING IT WAS A TIRE BLOWING OUT, I COULD HEAR A NOISE AS IF SOMETHING WAS SLOWLY BREAKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10876034

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unexpected loss of braking function

SERVICE BRAKES

2 NHTSA complaints · 2018-02 → 2018-12

“MY CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I DIDN'T PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL OR ANYTHING. I HAD TO GET OUT OF MY CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC & WAIT ON A TOW. THE MECHANIC SHOP SAID THAT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE CAR TO DO THAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11160752
“IN DECEMBER OF 2016 I WAS DRIVING MY CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THIS OCCURRED OVER THE COURSE OF 3 DAYS, AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT HAS A SERVICE HISTORY RECORD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11067229

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger airbag off indicator with adult occupant

AIR BAGS

15 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2017-11

“PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON (WHICH MEANS THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY) WHEN MY SON (OVER 120 LBS) SITS IN PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT OR JUST MY PURSE THE LIGHT STAYS OFF (MEANING IT WOULD DEPLOY)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10864322
“PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG TURNS ON AND OFF WITH A PASSENGER (WEIGHING OVER 120 LBS.) SEATED WITH THE SEAT BELT FASTENED AND THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE AIRBAG SHOWS OFF AT TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED IF THE PASSENGER IS ALREADY SEATED WITH THEIR SEATBELT FASTENED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10692323
“THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DOES NOT ACTIVATE WITH MY WIFE IN THE SEAT. SHE IS WELL OVER THE 80 POUND LIMIT FOR ACTIVATION. SEAT WAS CHANGED BUT DID NOT CHANGE. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE IS NO FIX”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10532796

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)

64 crashes 1990–2024

How the 64 occupant deaths break down

45

driver deaths

19

passenger deaths

64

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2013 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.

1

complaints mentioning a crash

1

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 2013 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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