2013 Nissan Maxima Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 39%of 62 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 105,544miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Nissan Maxima, 39% of the 62 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,544 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving my 2013 Nissan Maxima as I normally do every day. Then without any warning it would not accelerate. Thank god I had enough momentum to get it to a safe place and out of the highway. I almost got hit in the back to because I had the make a quick turn to get it out of the street and into a parking lot. And after I stopped the check engine light came on.”
NHTSA complaint #11414048, filed 2021-04, 168,000 miles“My 2013 Nissan Maxima slowed down while on the highway doing 60 MPH then a sputtering noise follows with a large boom and winding noise, check engine light came on. Took my car to autozone code stated CVT transmission problem. This car is only 6 years old why would I need an transmission. I'm so disappointed with Nissan”
NHTSA complaint #11269802, filed 2019-10, 156,000 miles“I have had this vehicle for 2 years and it's only a 5 year old car. I find it disturbing that Nissan is well aware of the CVT transmission issues on these vehicles and they have not been recalled. They put my kids and myself in danger when my car all of a sudden didn't function correctly. I was making a u-turn and it would not accelerate, we almost got hit by two cars of oncoming traffic! …”
NHTSA complaint #11121848, filed 2018-08, 109,000 miles“Vehicle lost power no warning while driving on freeway almost had a wreck then the speed picked up out of now where. The rpms were climbed to 4 and then the check engine light came on. I was able to get to an autozone to read the code and it gave me a p1778 telling me that the stepper motor was malfunctioning and I need to replace the transmission I've only had this car for 2 1/2 years my warranty has expired and I'm at a loss for words”
NHTSA complaint #11244145, filed 2019-08, 104,000 miles“You feel the car pulling and jerking. Then the check engine light came on. We had the code checked and it was p1778 - transmission reverse I/p circuit. It appears to do this on longer trips out on the highway and not as much around town.”
NHTSA complaint #11209933, filed 2019-05, 69,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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- 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 *…
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 2013 Nissan Maxima
16 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Nissan Maxima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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