1.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
93,968 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Nissan Maxima drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Oct 202022

Maxima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The transmission is failing in my car it doesn't want to go. stalling out shuttering, jerking.

- Blanchard, OK, USA

problem #23

Sep 212022

Maxima

  • miles
a recall and class action lawsuit was issued for the 2013 altima but not the 2013 maxima. they have the same cvt transmission, my cvt transmission on my maxima just went out. Both the maxima and the altima should have been included in these recalls if they have the exact same CVT transmission

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #22

May 012021

Maxima

  • 139,700 miles
I was traveling from houston, tx to dallas, tx midday on May 1, 2021. I was approximately 40 miles outside of dallas on I-45 traveling 75 mph when I suddenly felt a sputter and then the speed instantly decreased from 75 mph to 20 mph on a busy major interstate. I was almost hit twice as I tried to exit the interstate with cars traveling upwards of 75+ mph, blowing and honing and cursing me. I made it off the interstate and turned the car off. After making several calls for help, I was instructed by a mechanic to wait a few minutes and restart the car and try to accelerate while on the feeder. So I did, and the car did accelerate enough to get back on the interstate. I had to do this 5 times to get the remainder of the 40 miles to M destination. I took my car to metro dallas Nissan in flower mound, tx on May 3, 2021. I was told the inspection found codes P1778, P0778 found in ECM and tcm found transmission to be slipping and therefore, the cvt assembly needed to be replaced.....= $5523!!!! I have always had my car serviced at Nissan dealerships, maintained the car impeccably, driven with care and I am devastated! although the car is 8 years old with 139K miles, there is no logical reason for the transmission to need replacing except for defective equipment from Nissan. I plan to continue to pursue the matter. I cannot afford to spend $5K on a car I worked so hard to pay off.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #21

Apr 262021

Maxima

  • 168,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving my 2013 Nissan Maxima as I normally do every day. Then without any warning it would not accelerate. Thank god I had enough momentum to get it to a safe place and out of the highway. I almost got hit in the back to because I had the make a quick turn to get it out of the street and into a parking lot. And after I stopped the check engine light came on.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #20

Apr 152021

Maxima

  • 112,000 miles
The vehicle was in a parked position at my home. Went and started vehicle and from park to drive it hesitated before it starts to move.

- Bedford Heights, OH, USA

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problem #19

Jun 182020

Maxima

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while approaching a stop sign, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The accelerator pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard while the vehicle shuddered. The vehicle was taken to autonation Nissan memphis (4140 hacks cross road, memphis, tn 38125) to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #18

Sep 242019

Maxima

  • 156,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2013 Nissan Maxima slowed down while on the highway doing 60 mph then a sputtering noise follows with a large boom and winding noise, check engine light came on. Took my car to autozone code stated cvt transmission problem. This car is only 6 years old why would I need an transmission. I'm so disappointed with Nissan

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #17

Jul 202018

Maxima

  • 105,054 miles
I was stopping for gas to head back to work, then I realized that a cloud of smoke never seen it before.

- Canton, MS, USA

problem #16

Sep 022019

Maxima

  • 10,320 miles
As I was driving on highway from Arkansas to Texas my car started making this really loud noise as I was accelerating. I was only at 60 mph and the car was still making the noise but as I was increasing my speed to pass and switch lanes my car seem like it became stuck and wouldn't let me accelerate or go any faster and my RPM jumped to 5. I pulled over and rested my car for a minute took it to O reiley to get it checked since my service engine soon light had come on and the code that returned was code P1778 something they stated that pertain to the step motor function/transmission.

- Camden, AR, USA

problem #15

Aug 102019

Maxima

  • 104,000 miles
Vehicle lost power no warning while driving on freeway almost had a wreck then the speed picked up out of now where. The rpms were climbed to 4 and then the check engine light came on. I was able to get to an autozone to read the code and it gave me a P1778 telling me that the stepper motor was malfunctioning and I need to replace the transmission I've only had this car for 2 1/2 years my warranty has expired and I'm at a loss for words

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #14

Jun 162019

Maxima

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Tamara recall: I was driving from jacksonville to orlando when the rpms suddenly dropped and the car lost speed immediately. As I depressed the gas pedal, the car wouldn't accelerate no matter how hard I pressed the gas pedal. I had enough speed to get on the shoulder. I restarted the car and it drove good for about 5 mins and the the same thing happened. I took the car to the shop and they said it's the transmission. I only have one hundred five thousand miles on it and I still owe 8 thousand bucks on it.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #13

May 242019

Maxima

  • 69,000 miles
You feel the car pulling and jerking. Then the check engine light came on. We had the code checked and it was P1778 - transmission reverse I/P circuit. It appears to do this on longer trips out on the highway and not as much around town.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #12

May 012019

Maxima

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the transmission was slow to change gears. The speed would decrease until the gear changed over, and then the vehicle would suddenly accelerate. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the continuously variable transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Rincon, GA, USA

problem #11

Jan 192019

Maxima

  • 172,947 miles
Transmission

- Lapine, AL, USA

problem #10

Aug 302018

Maxima

  • 106,034 miles
Driving down the 680 freeway in rush hour morning traffic. In fast lane going with speed of traffic (approx. 75 mph) car suddenly loses power. RPM start to go crazy. Car does not respond to accelerator. Dropped from 75 mph to 0 mph in matter of seconds. Very scary experience. Stuck on side of the freeway until tow truck arrived. Had a panic attack. No warning signs. Tow to a mechanic, my transmission is shot. At 106K miles and a 2013 model, I did not expect this. Owe tons of money still on the car. Have to pay $5000 to fix the cvt transmission and replace with a "new" cvt transmission. Same crappy, defective transmission for $5K. And Nissan only warranties those for 12 to 18 months or 12 or 18K miles.

- Vacaville, CA, USA

problem #9

Aug 042018

Maxima

  • 109,000 miles
I have had this vehicle for 2 years and it's only a 5 year old car. I find it disturbing that Nissan is well aware of the cvt transmission issues on these vehicles and they have not been recalled. They put my kids and myself in danger when my car all of a sudden didn't function correctly. I was making a U-turn and it would not accelerate, we almost got hit by two cars of oncoming traffic! I took the car in to the Nissan dealership and it will cost $5K to replace the transmission that they can only guarantee 12,000/ 1 year after the repair, which will not be covered under my warranty because it expired. This is so unfair. I still owe a lot of money for this car since I financed it, so I am stuck with the repair cost. Nissan needs to own up to this issue and do something about it!!!

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #8

Apr 282017

Maxima

  • 91,000 miles
My mother and I were driving to lunch on the highway and I noticed the car was driving very sporadically. If I pushed on the accelerator it would stick and then it would just bolt out full speed, on more than one occasion we almost hit another vehicle and a barrier. I couldn't control the care. We tried to drive slow, but the car would accelerate very fast when it detected the next gear. We were terrified we drove straight to the dealer. They informed us that the transmission was out. This car has less than 100K miles on it and I purchased it brand new. It was extremely dangerous. Clearly something is wrong with the transmissions that Nissan are putting in. If, you look online you see others with the same experience, with even less mileage. To make matters worse I had to pay out of pocket because the extended warranty had expired. This car is not safe. I am sorry that my mother and I had to experience it, but very happy my children were not in the car. I know this is a large problem, because Nissan accidently called me to pick up the wrong car. I went in there was another Maxima maybe a year younger than mine same color and their transmission had gone out. There's was still under warranty. These cars are not safe and Nissan needs to do something about it before someone is seriously injured or worse a death.

- Lanham, MD, USA

problem #7

Apr 282017

Maxima

  • 91,000 miles
Vehicle has approximately 91K miles on it and the cvt transmission has failed. Vehicle has only been serviced by the dealership and never received any type of notification of change of fluid levels or the need to add fluids. Was driving down the street and vehicle was pretty much stuck. Eventually vehicle pulled itself through and wall accelerator very fast as if you floored it. I have looked on web and this has been a problem for many. I believe Nissan is aware of this ctv failure. There is absolutely no reason why a transmission should fail without warning with less than 100K miles on the vehicle.

- Lanham, MD, USA

problem #6

Apr 132017

Maxima

  • 109,124 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Maxima. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle suddenly decelerated while the accelerator pedal was being depressed. The contact managed to coast the vehicle to the side of the road and turn off the engine. Upon restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle failed to move while the accelerator pedal was being depressed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission chain was fractured and the transmission needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,124.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

problem #5

Mar 282017

Maxima

  • 107,000 miles
2013 Nissan Maxima safety issue with the cvt transmission. It will shift into a lower gear on the highway at 65 mph and bring the rpms up to 5000 or greater.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

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