2012 Nissan Maxima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 17%of 107 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Nissan Maxima, 17% of the 107 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving my Maxima on cruise control at 70 MPH and the RPM was fluctuating while driving on the freeway from 2000 to 3000 RPM. It would not go from there and the car dropped speed. This happened various of times throughout my travel. I looked up problems it could of been and I walked into a blog with many Nissan consumers experiencing the same problem on their CVT transmission for their vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11112888, filed 2018-07, 83,508 miles“Upon coming to a stop the car does not want to accelerate, it jerks sometimes, if you go check on any Nissan forum or youtube comments you will see this is a major problem with these vehicles and can cause serious harm in traffic or crossing intersections, I am very surprised there hasnt been a recall yet. Its the CVT transmission! Thousands of people have this problem and the extended warranty cuts off in 2011 so 2012 or newer we are s.o.l. It happens everytime I stop.”
NHTSA complaint #11407114, filed 2021-04, 112,000 miles“Transmission failed at 64,000 miles and stopped while driving on the road, unable to accelerate. I replaced the transmission and it failed again a second time while driving on the road. Delaership says I need another transmission. Failure happened while driving on the road.”
NHTSA complaint #10954057, filed 2017-02, 118,000 miles“Currently at 130,000 miles, original owner, I just replaced my 3rd and 4th front wheel bearings, one of which was a genuine Nissan part. Failures were not critical but their loose condition would not pass state inspection criteria. Prior to this, the original front bearings separately experienced critical road failures with excess noise, heat and separation. Bearings were replaced at 79,000 (left) and 45,000 miles (right). Maintenance records are available.”
NHTSA complaint #11156444, filed 2018-12, 45,000 miles“My car began to make a whining sound at acceleration over 60 miles per hours intermittently. The car was sold to me as certified pre-owned car at 54k miles in 2015. I have only driven it a little over 50k miles personally. The check engine light came on and I took it to my mechanic who pulled the code p01778 step motor function from the system. I notified Nissan who told me I had to have their mechanic assess the car. I dropped it off and they pulled the same code. The CVT transmission has failed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11119898, filed 2018-08, 109,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10233904Mar 29, 2023CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10222714Sep 27, 2022CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10199148Jun 9, 2021CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10116292Jun 20, 2017CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES section has been revised. No other changes have been…
- 10192615Aug 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION The information in this bulletin is provided to help ensure correct diagnosis and repair of fluid leaks. All fluid leaks, when properly diagnosed, should be…
- 10192605Jul 10, 2015IF YOU CONFIRM: Customers concern of a "clicking" noise coming from either left or right front/rear CV-type axles during take-off/acceleration. ACTION: Apply Molykote M77 grease…
- 10192524Feb 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when…
- 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…
- 10192115Jan 25, 2013IF YOU CONFIRM: After having been parked overnight in ambient temperatures between 5°C to -25°C (40°F to -14°F) the vehicle is hard to start or cranks and will not start. And *…
- 10043950Apr 10, 2012Nissan: ecm replacement procedures with consult iii plus. Applies to all 2004 and later (does not apply to leaf/ev) 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 2012 Nissan Maxima
27 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsElectrical system
20 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 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