The Most Common 2011 Nissan Maxima Problems

Common 2011 Maxima problems include issues with the passenger airbag sensor and problems with the transmission.
Written by Cassandra Hamilton
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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The most common 2011 Nissan Maxima problems are air bag issues, problems with the powertrain, and instances of the electrical system malfunctioning. There are less serious problems as well, like AC not blowing cold and timing chain rattling.
As Nissan’s flagship sedan, the Maxima has enjoyed popularity in America since its introduction in 1985. Driving a Maxima is a great way to enjoy a spacious, upscale ride without upgrading to Nissan’s luxury brand,
Infiniti
. The Maxima also enjoys the distinction of being less expensive than other full size sedans in its class. 
But every vehicle has its problems, the Maxima included.
Jerry
, the trusted insurance broker app for your
car insurance
needs, is here with the common problems of the 2011 Nissan Maxima, including what you can expect if you drive one of these models. To round it all out, we’ll give you some tips on how to save on your
Nissan Maxima insurance costs

The most common 2011 Nissan Maxima problems

The good news is that the 2011 Nissan Maxima is a very reliable car with few problems—and you can count on that due to its age. That’s because Nissan has rock-solid engineering and low maintenance costs for a combination of practical and thrifty.
That being said, the 2011 Nissan Maxima isn’t without issues. Thanks to the age of this model, you pretty much know what to expect when driving a 2011 Nissan Maxima if you do a little research. The most commonly reported problem is the airbag sensor in the passenger seat malfunctioning. This causes a light to turn on on the dashboard and often turns the airbags off when you need them the most. 
This is a serious problem because we rely on airbags to help reduce injuries and deaths after an accident. If you’re involved in a collision and your airbags fail to deploy, you or your passengers could be seriously injured. An issue like this requires prompt attention from a qualified service technician at the Nissan dealership. 
The second most commonly reported issue is with the electrical system. Problems with the electrical system can cause issues with anything from the rearview camera to the automatic door locks. Severe problems in the electrical system can cause continuous battery drains even if the alternator is working just fine. This can be a challenging issue to resolve. 
Other common problems with the 2011 Maxima include: 
  • Transmission failure at low mileage
  • AC not blowing cold air due to hose crimping 
  • Timing chain rattle
  • Tapping noise while driving
  • Mass air flow sensor malfunctioning
Some of these issues are minor annoyances, but many are signs of a serious problem that could put you at danger while driving. 
Despite how many problems have been reported with the airbag sensor, the 2011 Maxima has no recalls reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Because of this, you’ll be paying for that airbag sensor repair out of your own pocket.

Is the 2011 Nissan Maxima reliable?

Even with the problems stated above, the 2011 Nissan Maxima still has above-average reliability scores for a full size sedan.
So what does that mean? That means if you’re looking for a reliable full-size sedan, the Nissan Maxima is a great bet. RepairPal gives the 2011 Maxima a 3.5/5.0 rating for reliability. Unfortunately, the 2011 Nissan Maxima hasn’t been evaluated by other sources like J.D. Power. 
The average annual repair cost of the 2011 Nissan Maxima is $614. While this is a little higher than some other, newer sedans, keep in mind that a big part of this cost is due to the vehicle’s age. You can safely assume you’ll pay more to maintain an older vehicle than you would if you were driving a newer model. 

How to simplify car insurance shopping (and still optimize coverage!) 

The 2011 Nissan Maxima is a reliable full size sedan that can take you from the office to a road trip without skipping a beat. You’ll want to protect your valued ride with the right
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from a
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Jerry
.
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