2021 Nissan Maxima Safety Report
2021 Nissan Maxima Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Nissan Maxima
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 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 | Low (0) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (3) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine And Engine Cooling | Compare engine and engine cooling issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Nissan Maxima with 1 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Nissan Maxima | 5 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Nissan Maxima | 20 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Nissan Maxima | 1 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Nissan Maxima | 17 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Nissan Maxima | 35 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Nissan Maxima | 99 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Nissan Maxima Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Nissan onlyStructure,Unknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure,Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyElectrical System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Nissan Maxima
Reliability Score
The 2021 Nissan Maxima receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 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 2021 Nissan Maxima
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Nissan Maxima:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Reports of jerking and shaking at low speeds suggest possible issues with the engine or cooling system, which may require maintenance or repair. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System A delay in the electronic coolant temperature gauge and a malfunctioning CD changer indicate potential electrical system problems. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Structural, Unknown Or Other A sunroof explosion is a severe issue that could be related to structural integrity or other unknown factors. |
High | Occasional | 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 2021 Nissan Maxima:
Issues with the engine or cooling system were reported.
Problems with the electrical system, such as the coolant temperature gauge and CD changer, were reported.
A sunroof explosion was reported, indicating potential structural or unknown issues.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Nissan Maxima
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Nissan Maxima with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk and was shaking. The vehicle felt as though the brake pedal was being depressed. The oil light was flashing. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle was repaired. After driving the vehicle, ...
Going down a road in Tennessee on my way to my sons house in Fort Campbell. No cars on the road anywhere 545 in the morning and the sun roof explodes out of no where. Parts have been ordered and the car is in my possession till the parts come in so no forms to upload as of yet.
VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW WITH 4 MILES THEN AFTER 100MILES, THE CD CHANGER DOES NOT WORK AND THERE IS A DELAY IN THE ELECTRONIC COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE. THE ANLOG TEMP GAUGE IS WORKING BUT THE ELECTRONIC GAUGE DOES NOT COME ON TILL 20-30MINS OF DRIVING.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Nissan Maxima
Has the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA been recalled?
No, the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
The 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA has 3 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA involve engine and engine cooling (1 complaints), structure,unknown or other (1 complaints), electrical system (1 complaints).
How many crash reports does the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA.
Should I buy a 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA is generally recommended. It has 3 complaints, 0 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 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA are: 1. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1 complaints), 2. STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints). ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING is the single most-reported problem area with 1 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA?
Be cautious of jerking and shaking at low speeds, and check for any unusual noises or malfunctions in the electrical and structural systems. The 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA has 3 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA?
The 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 3 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Engine Cooling and Electrical System.
What are the known issues with the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA?
Known issues with the 2021 NISSAN MAXIMA include: Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System, Structural, Unknown or Other. These are based on patterns found across 3 NHTSA complaints.
What are the most common issues reported for the 2021 Nissan Maxima?
Common issues include jerking and shaking at low speeds, sunroof explosions, and electrical system malfunctions.
Is the sunroof explosion a common issue?
While rare, a sunroof explosion was reported and should be taken seriously.
What should I do if I experience jerking and shaking in my 2021 Nissan Maxima?
Have the vehicle inspected by a professional to check for engine or cooling system issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of jerking and shaking at low speeds, and check for any unusual noises or malfunctions in the electrical and structural systems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Nissan Maxima
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Nissan Maxima. The data includes 3 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Nissan Maxima an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 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