2018 Nissan Maxima Safety Report
2018 NISSAN MAXIMA Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Nissan Maxima
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Nissan Maxima. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (35) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Forward Collision Avoidance | Compare forward collision avoidance issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2015 | Compare against the 2015 Nissan Maxima with 1 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Nissan Maxima before buying across this generation. |
Nissan Maxima Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Nissan Maxima years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Nissan Maxima | 17 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Nissan Maxima | 99 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Nissan Maxima | 20 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Nissan Maxima | 141 | 8 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Nissan Maxima | 3 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Nissan Maxima | 1 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2018 Nissan Maxima Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Nissan Maxima, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Forward Collision Avoidance
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Nissan onlyUnknown Or Other
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyService Brakes
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Nissan onlyElectrical System
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Nissan onlyVisibility/Wiper
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Nissan onlyElectronic Stability Control (Esc)
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electronic Stability Control (Esc) issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Nissan Maxima
Reliability Score
The 2018 Nissan Maxima receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Nissan Maxima
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Nissan Maxima
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Nissan Maxima:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes Hydraulic issues with service brakes, including anti-lock, traction control, and electronic limited slip, have been reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance This feature may not function as intended, leading to potential collision risks. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Suspension A rear passenger side coil spring broke, causing inconvenience and potential handling issues. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Intermittent dimming of the instrument panel has been reported, affecting visibility. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Nissan Maxima:
Issues with the hydraulic system, including anti-lock, traction control, and electronic limited slip, have been reported.
This feature may not function as intended, leading to potential collision risks.
A rear passenger side coil spring broke, causing inconvenience and potential handling issues.
Intermittent dimming of the instrument panel has been reported, affecting visibility.
Recall Details for the 2018 Nissan Maxima
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Nissan Maxima by NHTSA:
Summary: Nissan 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.
Consequence: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the v...
Summary: 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 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 an...
Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Nissan Maxima
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Nissan Maxima with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
My rear passenger side coil spring broke. This is a dealer only item. I contacted the dealer and the item is on back order. It is my only means for transportation. I didn’t cause this break, and now I can’t even get it fixed until it comes in whenever that may be. The dealership doesn’t have an estimated time for delivery. I am financing my car and can’t even drive it.
In June 2019, while driving my 2018 Nissan Maxima, the vehicle suffered a sudden and violent mechanical failure. Without warning, the steering wheel jerked forcefully to the side, and the vehicle became uncomtrollabel leading to an approx 100-foot spin across a median. I have since verified this vehicle was subject to NHTSA Recall 19V-807 for an ABS Actuator leak that shorts the circuit board. T...
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the power door functions on the front driver’s door failed to operate on two separate occasions. Due to the failure, the contact had to enter the vehicle from the front passenger’s side before crawling over into the driver’s seat. The vehicle was initially taken to the dealer, and the front driver’s side door actuator was replaced. And...
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the instrument panel was intermittently dim upon starting the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving the instrument panel eventually brightened before returning to a dim setting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions however, the technicians were unable to duplicate the failure. The failure persisted, and the...
360 cameras have stopped working on my vehicle. I've seen where there was a recall on the same thing, but my vehicle is not coming up in the recall. I did buy the car used, but not being able to use the cameras is definitely a safety issue.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact started losing control of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the lug nuts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagno...
The contact's son owned a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while the driver was driving 5 MPH, he noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that the driver opened the hood, and noticed that there was fire under the hood. The fire was extinguished by the fire dep...
Four tires size 245/45/18 failed after 9 months and 6,500 miles. Tires were rotated after 5,000 miles. Dealer checked alignment at 6,500 miles all was ok. Two rear tires were bald, no tread, two front tires were worn to wear bar. Dealer sent tires for warranty 3/12/24 to date 4/22/24 Warranty information not received.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the "Front Radar Obstruction Unavailable" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle independently slowed down without depression the brake pedal. As a result of the failure, several electrical features including the Forward Collision and Lane Keep Assist safety features failed to operat...
Inappropriate function of the AEB system. Filed a prior complaint with you a couple of months ago about the cruise control sensor and the AEB. Cruise was fixed, but AEB keeps going off while using cruise inappropriately. Did not get fixed. Spent a lot of time working with Nissan consumer affairs and Vision Nissan in Webster NY and problem not found. There are numerous complaints on line about the ...
I having problems with the transmission in the vehicle. The vehicle shakes during acceleration, you can see the gages on the dashboard shaking. When accelerating, the Gears won’t shift properly with a smooth flow. You can notice this in the RPM also when accelerating. I took the vehicle to the Nissan of St. Augustine Dealership and the diagnosis the vehicle with code P17F1 CVT Judder. The dealersh...
I purchased this vehicle used a couple of months ago. The automatic emergency braking initiates inappropriately while using ICC, it brakes without obstruction. Also, the distance sensor isn't working properly according to the dealer. When I use ICC, and sometimes when I am not using it, I get an "unavailable, front radar obstruction" message. The ICC stops working when this happens. It happens eve...
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the engine, transmission, spark plugs, battery, and brakes were previously replaced by an independent mechanic. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made...
The contact owned a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, he became unconscious behind the wheel due to medication. The contact crashed into another vehicle however the air bags did not deploy causing his face to hit the steering wheel. The contact also stated that he fractured his back in 7 different locations as a result of the failure and required medical attentio...
WHEN DRIVING TO WORK MY SUNROOF EXPLODED ON INTERSTATE SCARING ME.IT WAS A VERY LOUD NOISE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ALL NISSAN OWNERS. WHEN BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUNROOF EXPLOSION. WHEN GOING ON LINE THIS LOOKS LIKE IS BEEN ONGOING FOR AWHILE.
WHEN CAR MAXIMA IS SITTING STILL IN IDLE IT LEAKS OUT A CLEAR FLUID. THE FLUID HAS NO COLOR AND NO SMELL.THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND IN IDLE.
COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM CONTINUOUSLY DISENGAGES
PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY @ 70MPH ON HOT SUNNY HUMID DAY. AFTER RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR NISSAN SUNROOFS WITH NUMEROUS CLAIMS RESULTING IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CALFORNIA. NISSAN HAS RESPONDED TO MY COMPLAINT THAT THEY AREN'T LIABLE EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS UNDER NISSAN WARRANTY WITH THE EXCLUSION THAT GLASS IS NOT COVERED UNLES...
REAR OBSTRUCTION WARNING.AROUND VIEW, REAR VIEW,ETC MONITORING SYSTEM. HAVE HAD DEALERSHIP LOOK INTO NUMEROUS TIMES THEY CANT REMEDY WITHOUT SOME KIND OF PROOF.THERE SUGGESTION WAS CELL PHONE PICTURE OF WARNING ON DASH WHILE DRIVING OR VIDEO. I TOLD THEM I WOULDN'T DO THAT AND ASKED THEM IF THAT IS WHAT THEY WOULD NEED TO DO TO SATISFY NISSAN FOR APPROVAL TO FIX HE SAID YES.REALLY WHILE DRIVING I...
I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MAY WIFE AND LONG TRIPS. IT WAS RATED SATISFACTORY BY CONSUMERS REPORT. I RECEIVED A RECALL FROM NISSAN THAT THE CAR COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID AND CATCH FIRE. THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FIX IT UNTIL SUMMER OF 2020. IN THE MEAN TIME IF THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON I SHOULD PULL IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL NISSAN'S TOWING SERVICE THIS MAKES THE CAR UNSUITABLE FOR LONG TRIPS ESPECI...
Showing 20 of 35 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2018 Nissan Maxima
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Suspension:Rear
Opened 2019-07-29 · Closed 2025-06-16
On July 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened EA19002 to investigate instances of alleged rear lower control arm failures in 2013-2018 Nissan Altima and 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima vehicles. At the time the investigation was opened ODI had 91 consumer complaints alleging rear lower control arm failures in the subject vehicles.ODI was concerned about these complaints because many of them alleged an increased steering effort or loss of vehicle control.At the time these complaints ...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Nissan Maxima
Has the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
The 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA has 35 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 1 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA involve forward collision avoidance (4 complaints), unknown or other (4 complaints), service brakes (4 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, visibility/wiper, electronic stability control (esc).
How many crash reports does the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
There are 1 crash reports associated with the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA out of 35 total complaints (2.9% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA out of 35 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA is generally recommended. It has 35 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA are: 1. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (4 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints), 3. SERVICE BRAKES (4 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3 complaints), 5. VISIBILITY/WIPER (2 complaints). FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE is the single most-reported problem area with 4 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA?
Be cautious of potential issues with service brakes and forward collision avoidance systems. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA has 35 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 35 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Service Brakes and Forward Collision Avoidance.
What are the known issues with the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA?
Known issues with the 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA include: Service Brakes, Forward Collision Avoidance, Suspension, Electrical System. These are based on patterns found across 35 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Nissan Maxima?
Yes, there are recalls related to service brakes and back over prevention systems.
What are the common issues with the 2018 Nissan Maxima?
Common issues include service brake problems, forward collision avoidance malfunctions, and suspension and electrical system issues.
Is the sunroof a safety concern?
While the sunroof issue is concerning, it is a specific incident and not a widespread safety concern.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential issues with service brakes and forward collision avoidance systems. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Nissan Maxima
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Nissan Maxima. The data includes 35 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Nissan Maxima an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16