2014 Nissan Maxima Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2014 Nissan Maxima has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “CVT transmission failure and hesitation.” 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.

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 for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2014 Nissan Maxima.

Reported to NHTSA

CVT transmission failure and hesitation

POWER TRAIN

20 NHTSA complaints · 2015-06 → 2024-04

CVT transmission suddenly gets stuck on a lower "gear", often going from Drive to 2nd, while driving freeway speeds, causing the engine to rev to very high rpm's and the car to quickly loose power and slow down
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11468916
My cruise control stopped working. I took it to my Nissan dealer where I purchased the car. They advised me I needed a new transmission. However I had just put a new transmission in 3 years prior. I have never had this issue with any other vehicle
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11420366
CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED = CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AT 70,000 MILES
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11241131

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Low-beam headlight dimness

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

18 NHTSA complaints · 2019-01 → 2025-05

The dim lights on the vehicle are very dim, the fog lights are brighter than the dim lights. I’ve replaced the bulbs and headlights and neither fixed the issue. You can barely see in front of the car with the dim lights. It’s very unsafe to drive at night
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11594656
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2014 NISSAN MAXIMA ARE SO DIM IT TRULY IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I LITERALLY CANNOT SEE 2 FEET IN FRONT OF MY CAR AT ANY SPEED. MY BLINKERS EMIT MORE LUMMIS THAN MY LOW BEAMS
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11315425
RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 2014 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM THAT THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR; OPAQUE AND YELLOWING MATERIAL INSIDE THE SEALED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11170345

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Panoramic sunroof shattering while driving

STRUCTURE

8 NHTSA complaints · 2015-12 → 2021-06

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD GUNSHOT SOUNDING NOISE. PULLED OVER WHEN IT WAS SAFE. I DISCOVERED THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. SAW A BIG HOLE IN THE SUNROOF WITH GLASS EVERYWHERE INCLUDING INSIDE THE SPACE BETWEEN THE SUNROOF AND THE ROOF OF THE CAR
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11296832
I WAS SITTING IN MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE SUNROOF GLASS WAS CLOSED BUT THE ROOF WAS OPEN. MOST OF THE GLASS ENDED UP OUTSIDE THE CAR. IT WAS LIKE IT EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE GLASS ON THE EDGES WAS BENT UPWARDS
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10870531
2014 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH 43000 MILES. SUNROOF EXPLODED TWICE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH. ALMOST EXACT SAME OF HOLE LEFT IN ROOF. ONCE ON JULY 20TH 2016 AND ONCE ON AUGUST 15 2016 AFTER BEING REPLACED WITH OEM PARTS
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10914504

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Suspension and steering component failure

SUSPENSION

7 NHTSA complaints · 2014-07 → 2024-01

BRAND NEW LEASE, HAD VEHICLE 2 DAYS. DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THANK GOD THERE WAS SLIGHT TRAFFIC CONGESTION. OUT OF NOWHERE THE CAR STARTED TO PULL TO THE LEFT, I COULD NOT GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED HARSH, AS IF I WERE STUCK ON SOMETHING
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10615422
Purchased in 2015 & driven less than 50,000 miles when a popping noise started during braking or traveling over bumps. Mechanic diagnosed & replaced the right lower control arm. Part should not have failed under low mileage conditions
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11466439
I WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT GOING BETWEEN 5-15MPH WHEN I HEARD A 1-2 SECOND DEEP SCREECHING NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD FULLY MADE MY STOP AT THE RED LIGHT, AND I NOTICED WHEN ACCELERATING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN THE STEERING HAD BECOME STIFF LIKE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11184721

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger seat airbag occupant sensor malfunction

AIR BAGS

19 NHTSA complaints · 2014-01 → 2025-10

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES SHOWING THAT NOBODY IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN IN FACT THERE IS SOMEBODY SITTING THERE. TO ME THIS MEANS THAT IF A CRASH OCCURRED WITH SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE INDICATOR SHOWS NOBODY THERE, THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10650159
THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. WHEN DRIVING WITH MY WIFE (USUALLY MY ONLY ADULT PASSENGER) WE HAVE BOTH NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, STATING THAT THE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF. THIS SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF WE GOT IN AN ACCIDENT
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11073844
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The air bag located in the seat failed to activate as designed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11691783

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

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

Rogue AWD, Murano AWD, Pathfinder 4WD: 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)

77 crashes 2010–2024

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

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.

10

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 2014 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.