Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2018 Nissan Maxima: common problems and reliability
One of the better Maxima years.
36 owner complaints, most about service brakes. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2018 Maxima?The 2018 Nissan Maxima has 36 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and forward collision avoidance.
Safety record for the 2018 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2018 Nissan Maxima vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Maxima years only. How we score it
Is 2018 a good year for the Maxima?
Across the 28 Maxima model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2023) to 1,426 (2004). With 36 complaints, the 2018 Maxima sits below the model's median of 112.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2018 Maxima
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 19V654000Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Campaign 19V807000Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by generation, with a clear consensus that reliability and owner satisfaction declined significantly after the early 2000s.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Maxima. See the full Maxima owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Maxima listings typically run $13,900–$20,796 across 2014 to 2023 model years.
Other Maxima model years
Compare every Maxima year side by side to see how 2018 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Maxima against its rivals
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