The Most Common 2017 Nissan Maxima Problems

Structural integrity and engine issues are common complaints from buyers of the 2017 Nissan Maxima. Learn more here.
Written by Tiffany Leung
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
background
The 2017 Maxima is Nissan’s sporty full-size sedan with distinctive styling and a well-equipped cabin. Although the sedan offers near-luxury for a great price point, buyers should be aware of its structural and engine issues.
The 2017 Maxima is very much like the Infiniti Q50—without the luxury price tag. While it doesn’t have great handling, its 3.5-liter V6 engine can generate 300 horsepower. The Maxima comes with a plethora of standard features, including advanced safety features such as forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
That being said, the Maxima isn’t without flaws. If you plan to get this sedan, learn more about the potential problems and complaints so that you can budget for repairs.
Jerry
, the licensed broker and
car insurance
super app, is here to run through the common issues with the 2017 Nissan Maxima. We’ll also have some tips on saving on your
Nissan Maxima insurance costs
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
icon4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars
icon4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

The most common 2017 Nissan Maxima problems

2017 Maxima owners have a small list of 66 complaints on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. Among these complaints, there are life-endangering issues as well as everyday annoyances.
The Maxima has received the most complaints about structural issues. Many owners have reported that the quarter panels and interior molding have design flaws, causing them to come off easily. Some have reported poor seals that lead to water leaking into the car.
Another common complaint is related to engine issues. In most cases, the engine would stall randomly and the Check Engine light would be illuminated. Sometimes, the engine would refuse to start after multiple attempts.
Other complaints regarding the 2017 Maxima include: 
  • Throttle requires regular light cleaning due to quick carbon buildup
  • Erratic or high idle after cleaning the throttle body
  • Leather on the armrest can prematurely crack
  • Excessive wind noise inside the cabin
  • Wearing down of clear coat can cause the car to be more susceptible to rust
The 2017 Nissan Maxima currently has four recalls on the NHTSA website but three are the same recall from different years:
  • Brake fluid may leak into the ABS pump and may result in an electrical short and fire (2016, 2018, 2019).
  • Passenger airbag may not deploy due to occupant classification sensor (OCS) error and increase the passenger’s risk of injury.
Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Get ahead of my car maintenance
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Is the 2017 Nissan Maxima reliable?

The 2017 Nissan Maxima has an above-average reliability rating but ranks 9th out of 12 full-size cars on RepairPal.
The 2017 Maxima is a great choice if you want a peppy engine on a budget, as long as you are prepared to handle potential issues that come with the car. RepairPal gives the Maxima a reliability rating of 3.5/5.0 and it has an average 80/100 rating on J.D. Power.
The average annual repair cost for the 2017 Nissan Maxima is around $382. However, the repair costs could vary depending on what issues your Maxima experiences. 

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

The Nissan Maxima doesn't have the best handling, but it does come with a powerful engine that delivers a pleasant enough drive. There are some concerning issues with the Maxima but they can be prevented by following your
car maintenance schedule
. This will allow the mechanic to catch most problems before they become a serious (and expensive) concern. 
To further protect your wallet from unexpected repairs, additional coverage is recommended. The
Jerry
app can even help you find a lower rate for a policy with more coverage!
Just download our
trustworthy super app
, answer some simple questions, and Jerry will find you customized quotes from over 55 top-tier providers to fit your preferences—all in under 45 seconds. Pick your favorite policy and Jerry’s insurance experts will help switch you over right in the app!
Plus, the average Jerry user saves over $800 per year on car insurance!  
Jerry
is an awesome tool to find rates personalized to your specific needs! I’m literally still sitting at the dealership and already finalized my new insurance so I can drive my new car off the lot.” —Charity R.
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
Try GarageGuard™

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings