2008 Nissan Maxima

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

69/100

Be careful

AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Nissan Maxima, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Air bags	16	21%
Structure	14	18%
Power train	7	9%
Tires	6	8%
Engine	4	5%
Air bags	3	4%
Steering	3	4%
Unknown or other	2	3%
Electrical system	2	3%
Electrical system	2	3%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

Heavy Rust/corrosion/hole in driver & passenger floorboard. Visible from underneath vehicle when the vehicle is up on the lift. I’m concerned my feet will go through the floor. Inspected by an authorized auto body shop a
NHTSA complaint: Structure

AIRBAG LIGHT HAS TURNED ON. THEY WHERE NOT DEPLOYED. TRIED TO RESET THE LIGHT BUT IT STILL CAME ON. TRIED TO ERASE THE LIGHT WITH OBD2 READER BUT THE CODE NEVER SHOWED. THE LIGHT TURNED ON OUT OF NOWHERE. ITS BEEN ON FOR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

VEHICLE STOPPED FORWARD MOVEMENT IN MIDDLE LANE OF I-95 NORTH. ENGINE REVOLUTIONS JUMPED TO RED ZONE BUT NO FORWARD MOVEMENT. HAD TO COAST, IN LIGHT TRAFFIC, TO EDGE OF ROADWAY MERGE LANE. ENGINE THEN DIED. ENGINE RE
NHTSA complaint: Power train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR THE PAST WEEK. THE DEALER (94 NISSAN OF SO
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS PREMATURELY WEAR, CAUSING A WHINING NOISE AS THE CHAIN RUBS AGAINST THE TENSIONER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON. THIS WEAR EVENTUALLY GRINDS THROUGH THE TENSIONER RESULTING IN COMPLETE ENGINE
NHTSA complaint: Engine

HAVE A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA AND JUST FOUND OUT I NEED A TRANSMISSION AFTER ONLY HAVING IT 2YRS ..DEALER NEVER TOLD ME THAT IT HAD A PROBLEM WHEN HE SOLD TO ME HAD I KNOWN NISSAN HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL I WOULD NEVER
NHTSA complaint: Power train

FEBRUARY 2009 I PURCHASE A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA VIN#1N4AA51E29C....... THERE HAVE BEEN MINOR ISSUES THAT I HAVE DEALT WITH. LET ME EXPLAIN, FIRST THE MOTORS THAT MOVE THE STEERING COLUMN UP/DOWN (WARRANTY COVERED) AND
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING. SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. NISSAN SAID THEY DONT COVER. ITS NOT INCLUDED ON THE WARRANTY. CLUSTER LIGHT ON DASH IS BLINKING ON AND OFF MAKING CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

The seven scores

Reliability raw	73	good
Longevity est.	74	good
Maintenance	77	good
Depreciation	76	good
Performance	57	average
Efficiency	37	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 28% of midsize & large cars
Longevity: better than 33% of midsize & large cars
Running costs: better than 57% of midsize & large cars
Value retention: better than 77% of midsize & large cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 73: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 74: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 2008 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 77: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 2008 Nissan Maxima?

Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 16 of them (21%). No recalls are on record for it.

Is the 2008 Nissan Maxima reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 2008 Nissan Maxima last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 2008 Nissan Maxima?

AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.