2012 Nissan Maxima Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 19%of 107 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,791miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Nissan Maxima, 19% of the 107 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,791 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had an a.c. Compressor issue 3 years ago and had it replaced by trophy Nissan mesquite,texas in 2017. Now 3 years later may of 2020 my compressor has locked up again. It was working fine until a week ago when I was on my way to work it was great but after my shift was done and I came out to go home my a.c.compressor wasn't working.so I was wondering if there were any Nissan recalls with a.c. Compressor issues on my Maxima.”
NHTSA complaint #11325719, filed 2020-05, 179,000 miles“I have replaced the mass air flow sensor five times since oct 2105, the 1st time was able to get several months before any warning light would appear on the dash board, now I don't a week before the warning light appears and car stalls out, I have cleaned the components around the sensor as well as bought the dealer sensor for over $200 still no difference, no one I have it to can locate the issue”
NHTSA complaint #10872655, filed 2016-06, 66,000 miles“The door lock actuators do not work and this requires me to ensure my doors are locked manually. The cost to repair is expensive and should be the responsibility of Nissan because it is apparently a defect. This defect is a security risk for potential theft and personal injury to the Nissan owner.”
NHTSA complaint #10837512, filed 2016-02, 82,000 miles“My driver side door the door lock intermittently works. It some times locks and doesn't unlock or doesn't lock at all. Recently it is working less often. Now the back door on the driver side stopped working too. The other day my 6 year got locked in the car and had to unbuckle his car seat to unlock the door. Luckily he wasn't an infant. I read on line that many people are having trouble with their door locks in Nissan/infinity cars.”
NHTSA complaint #11084877, filed 2018-04, 58,000 miles“On dec 12, 107 my 2012 Maxima had a side airbag sensor replaced (dealer replaced air bag control unit fp-number 98820-9n09c). The airbag light on the passenger side would not go off after the car started. The warning light stayed on regardless if the car was still or moving or whether there was a passenger in the car or not. In september of 2018 the exact same warning light returned which makes me think that there is a larger airbag problem at hand.”
NHTSA complaint #11132920, filed 2018-10, 50,582 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004962May 21, 2024VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 11004961May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004960May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10208946Feb 22, 2022CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10190177Mar 17, 2021NAVIGATION SYSTEM REBOOTS WHEN SXM TRAFFIC IS ENABLED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10190121Mar 10, 2021AV CONTROL UNIT REPLACEMENT REQUIRES CONSULT-III PLUS CONFIGURATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 9% |
| 2019 | 2 | 11% |
| 2018 | 5 | 14% |
| 2017 | 11 | 10% |
| 2016 | 31 | 22% |
| 2014 | 8 | 8% |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% |
| 2012 | 20 | 19% |
| 2011 | 12 | 11% |
| 2010 | 79 | 29% |
| 2009 | 79 | 23% |
| 2008 | 6 | 8% |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% |
| 2006 | 26 | 5% |
| 2005 | 38 | 4% |
| 2004 | 56 | 4% |
| 2003 | 17 | 8% |
| 2002 | 22 | 11% |
| 2001 | 27 | 16% |
| 2000 | 171 | 48% |
| 1999 | 83 | 50% |
| 1998 | 24 | 21% |
| 1997 | 39 | 38% |
| 1996 | 8 | 8% |
| 1995 | 19 | 13% |
| 1994 | 4 | 4% |
| 1993 | 11 | 14% |
| 1992 | 6 | 5% |
| 1991 | 8 | 11% |
| 1990 | 6 | 6% |
| 1989 | 8 | 13% |
| 1988 | 6 | 10% |
| 1987 | 22 | 13% |
| 1986 | 10 | 17% |
| 1985 | 7 | 13% |
| 1984 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2012 Nissan Maxima
27 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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