2011 Nissan Maxima Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 11%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the engine of the 2011 Nissan Maxima, 11% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,000 miles.
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.
“My car has less than 113,500 miles and started losing power and coasting, the speed would fluctuate and something sounds loose in the engine. I took it to lithia Nissan in fresno ca on blackstone and they told me the CVT belt needs to be replaced thereby causing the car to need a whole new transmission at $5738.96. The car was in motion.”
NHTSA complaint #11399057, filed 2021-03, 113,000 miles“This is my third Nissan Maxima and they all had the same idsue with the mass air flow sensor. Set off check engine light and makes car hesitate when accerlerating. My mom owns a 2013 Maxima 45000 miles and has the same issue with check engine light.”
NHTSA complaint #11386730, filed 2021-01, 74,000 miles“My transmission messed up on me with 114,000 miles! Brand new almost and when it would go over 45 it won't catch my gears the RPM would go stay put and make a loud whining noise!!”
NHTSA complaint #11193488, filed 2019-04, 114,000 miles“Check engine indicator light has come on intermittently 3 times in the past two months. Upon getting a diagnostic test at a Nissan dealership, the second time the light came on, I was told they needed the car another day, for a longer time to further investigate the two codes that came up during the test. The check engine light went back out a few days later. Now two months later the light is on again and this time as I was leaving a shopping center parking lot, turning onto a main road the car made a jerking/surge-stop motion as if it did not want to accelerate. …”
NHTSA complaint #10892198, filed 2016-08, 67,000 miles“The car has a push button start and could not be turned-off. All emergency procedures in the manual were followed and the car could not be turned-off. The deal actually let the car run until it ran out of gas. There was no evidence there was any issue with the car until I went to turn it off, then the engine would not shut-off. A driver could be in need of gas, or need to stop with children in the car and would be in a situation where the car will not stop running. The doors would not lock with the car running.”
NHTSA complaint #10487868, filed 2012-12, 22,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152515Nov 28, 2018OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. We are re-circulating this update to make regional and dealer…
- 10192478Nov 25, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION Starting with 2010 Model Year, Nissan vehicles have been gradually incorporating a new type of DTC known as Permanent DTC or P-DTC. If a vehicle is equipped…
- 10192293Jan 13, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION Replacement Engine Control Modules (ECMs) for many newer Nissan vehicles are now "Blank" ECMs. Blank ECMs come without software and must be programmed (not…
- 10192284Dec 17, 2013IF YOU CONFIRM A knock noise coming from the # 1 crankshaft main bearing: ACTION 1. Remove the # 1 main bearing (upper and lower halves), per the Service Procedure in this…
- 10054120Dec 17, 2013Nissan: knocking noise coming from number 1 crankshaft main bearing, was not heard at cold start, when vehicle is lifted, knocking is heard, or at warm idle, not heard at highway…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 20% |
| 2020 | 1 | 5% |
| 2019 | 4 | 22% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 8 | 8% |
| 2016 | 18 | 13% |
| 2014 | 9 | 9% |
| 2013 | 4 | 6% |
| 2012 | 11 | 10% |
| 2011 | 12 | 11% |
| 2010 | 20 | 7% |
| 2009 | 18 | 5% |
| 2008 | 5 | 6% |
| 2007 | 18 | 14% |
| 2006 | 47 | 8% |
| 2005 | 61 | 6% |
| 2004 | 51 | 4% |
| 2003 | 43 | 21% |
| 2002 | 19 | 9% |
| 2001 | 7 | 4% |
| 2000 | 9 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 2 | 2% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2011 Nissan Maxima
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Nissan Maxima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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