2012 Nissan MaximaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 107 owner complaints about the 2012 Nissan Maxima, most often about the air bags. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 16, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Public domain.
Where the 2012 Nissan Maxima has problems
107 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 27 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 20 | 0 |
| Power train | 18 | 0 |
| Engine | 11 | 1 |
| Steering | 10 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 3 |
| Seats | 6 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 |
| 8 other systems | 10 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2012 Nissan Maxima recalls and how many were fixed
No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.
When do air bags problems start?
31kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 22 air bags complaints. 100% were reported before 100,000 miles.
2012 vs. every other Maxima year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Maxima median. How we score
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2012 Nissan Maxima safety ratings
2012 Nissan Maxima 4 DR FWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 5 stars (10.1% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
What Maxima owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Passenger airbag notifi action blinks and will not show it is activated to function in a crash. Airbag has never worked. Also driver seat belt keeps releasing without being pushed to open. Seat belt issue just began Dec 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag failed to turn on while the front passenger's side seat was occupied. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was…
WHENEVER SOMEONE SITS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INDICATING THAT IF SOMETHING HAPPEN (ACCIDENT) THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. ALL THE PEOPLE I HAVE TESTED ARE OVER 120 LBS. I BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO PINNACLE NISSAN IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ BUT THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX IT…
Own a 2012 Maxima?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.