2019 Nissan Maxima: common problems and reliability

The 2019 Nissan Maxima has 18 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are engine and power train. Owners most often flag catastrophic cvt failure — premature failure often before 100,000 miles, characterized by slipping, jerking, loss of power, and high operating temperatures. considered a severe safety risk. frequency: very frequent (2013+ models).

Safety record for the 2019 model year

18
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
2
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2019 Nissan Maxima vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

engine
4
power train
3
service brakes
3
electrical system
2
exterior lighting
2

Recalls affecting the 2019 Maxima

back over prevention: sensing system: camera

Campaign 19V654000

Nissan 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 Vers…

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. Owners of late 1990s and early 2000s models (e.g., 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003) report extremely high satisfacti

  • Catastrophic CVT failure — Premature failure often before 100,000 miles, characterized by slipping, jerking, loss of power, and high operating temperatures. Considered a severe safety risk. Frequency: very frequent (2013+ models).
  • CVT reliability concerns — General anxiety about long-term durability, transmission "whine," and expensive repair costs ($6,000+ for a rebuild). Frequency: very frequent.
  • Jerky acceleration and shifting — Especially noted in 2016 and 2022 models, with stuttering during gear simulation and unresponsive throttle. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Electrical/starting issues — Intermittent no-start conditions where accessories power on but the starter does not engage, potentially related to faulty sensors or corroded battery terminals. Frequency: recurrent (mentioned for 2016 model).
  • Headlight defect (dimming) — Likely related to a reflector off-gassing issue similar to a known Altima class action, affecting low-beam output. Frequency: isolated.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Maxima.

Typical used price

Used Maxima listings typically run $13,498–$23,885 across 2014 to 2023 model years.

Other Maxima model years

2004 Maxima2002 Maxima
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