2008 Nissan Maxima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 10%of 79 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Nissan Maxima, 10% of the 79 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle stopped forward movement in middle lane of I-95 north. Engine revolutions jumped to red zone but no forward movement. Had to coast, in light traffic, to edge of roadway merge lane. Engine then died. Engine re-started about 35 minutes later and traveled to us hwy 1 when same thing happened. Vehicle died in outer lane. State police arrived and assisted in pushing vehicle to business shoulder/driveway entrance. Had vehicle towed approximately 30 miles to transmission shop in fredericksburg, va where they told me the transmission was gone.”
NHTSA complaint #11282875, filed 2019-11, 219,000 miles“Have a 2008 Nissan Maxima and just found out I need a transmission after only having it 2yrs ..dealer never told me that it had a problem when he sold to me had I known Nissan had a problem with this model I would never had purchase it...I need a whole new transmisson and for 3700 dollars I feel Nissan should rplace it at no cost to me since it seems that this issue seems to be with all there models not just mine...it just crap that im stuck trying to fix it...Nissan needs to make this problem or rather fix this issue that is so common in there vechicle they need to be held accountable…”
NHTSA complaint #11162962, filed 2018-12, 11,500 miles“On february 17, 2015, my daughter drove into a 3' ditch with about 4 of standing water with algea standing on top of the water. I had the vehicle inspected by my local mechanic to see if anything was damaged and had the oil levels checked as well and we continued to drive the vehicle for about 2500 miles. In may 2015 I chose to have the car repaired , front bumper etc. After the bodyshop finished with the car the airbag light needed to be reset by Nissan. We continued to drive the car for another 500 miles and the transmission stopped. …”
NHTSA complaint #10780193, filed 2015-10, 113,000 miles“I left the ignition on and it ran the battery went down , when I realized the battery was dead we charged the battery next day I got in to drive the car the transmission was like in 1st gear of the 6 speed auto transmission , I was out of state and found a dealership it took them a week to replace it, but they did give me a rental car the car had 58,000 thousand miles on it, it has 89,000 now , got in the car this week to go to a funeral and my remote wouldnt work , so I accidently left the car in reverse , when I got out of the car , the car never moved when I got in garage I seen the car…”
NHTSA complaint #11010533, filed 2017-07, 89,000 miles“I was backing the car out of my driveway when the car stopped moving in reverse and moved forward. After stopping the car I attempted to back it again with the same results only the car moved forward enough to hit my fence causing minor damage to the driver side bumper. I called my dealership and the sent a tow truck and towed the car to the dealership. When I arrived at the dealership I was told that the car would probably need a new transmission. After a few days the service department call and said the car did in fact need a new transmission. …”
NHTSA complaint #10252900, filed 2008-12Related service bulletins
- 10192474Nov 20, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the…
- 10038184Nov 5, 2013Nissan: the vehicle has a slower than normal acceleration from a stop. Updated on 06/08/2011. *kb updated on 06/13/2011. *rm updated 12/16/2013
- 10043950Apr 10, 2012Nissan: ecm replacement procedures with consult iii plus. Applies to all 2004 and later (does not apply to leaf/ev) vehicles.
- 10030087Feb 16, 2011Nissan: the shift position indicator in the combination meter is blank when the gear selection is park or neutral (p or n). *pe updated on 08-11-2011.
- 10024689Apr 28, 2008Nissan; special automatic transmission fluid requirement. 2004 to current nissan vehicles.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | 14% |
| 2019 | 3 | 17% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 11 | 10% |
| 2016 | 33 | 23% |
| 2014 | 22 | 23% |
| 2013 | 24 | 39% |
| 2012 | 18 | 17% |
| 2011 | 22 | 21% |
| 2010 | 15 | 5% |
| 2009 | 11 | 3% |
| 2008 | 8 | 10% |
| 2007 | 16 | 12% |
| 2006 | 393 | 68% |
| 2005 | 777 | 82% |
| 2004 | 934 | 66% |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% |
| 2001 | 8 | 5% |
| 2000 | 22 | 6% |
| 1999 | 8 | 5% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 4 | 4% |
| 1996 | 12 | 13% |
| 1995 | 12 | 8% |
| 1994 | 9 | 10% |
| 1993 | 6 | 8% |
| 1992 | 5 | 5% |
| 1991 | 9 | 12% |
| 1990 | 10 | 9% |
| 1989 | 9 | 15% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 5 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2008 Nissan Maxima
23 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsTires
8 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Nissan Maxima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology