2013 Nissan Maxima Reliability
The 2013 Nissan Maxima has 62 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and air bags. Compared with nearby Maxima model years (2011–2015), it rates as one of the better years: complaints run below the Maxima's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
62
NHTSA owner complaints
0
Recall campaigns
1
Complaints citing a crash
1
Complaints citing a fire
2013 Nissan Maxima complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 model year, filed between 2013 and 2025. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 24 | 39% |
| Air bags | 16 | 26% |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 15% |
| Unknown or other | 8 | 13% |
| Engine | 4 | 6% |
| Body structure | 2 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
2013 Nissan Maxima recalls
No recall campaigns are listed for the 2013 Nissan Maxima in NHTSA's recall database.
How the 2013 compares with nearby Maxima years
Verdicts compare these Maxima model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 106 | 0 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2012 | 107 | 0 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2013 (this page) | 62 | 0 | Powertrain / transmission | Better year |
| 2014 | 96 | 0 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | Air bags | Too few reports |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2013 Nissan Maxima
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Lights: check headlights (low and high), brake lights and turn signals; condensation inside the housings is worth noting.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2013 Nissan Maxima can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2013 Nissan Maxima reliability FAQ
Is the 2013 Nissan Maxima reliable?
The 2013 Nissan Maxima has 62 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and air bags. Compared with nearby Maxima model years (2011–2015), it rates as one of the better years: complaints run below the Maxima's typical year.
What are the most common 2013 Nissan Maxima problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Nissan Maxima are powertrain / transmission (24), air bags (16), exterior lighting (9), unknown or other (8). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2013 Nissan Maxima have recalls?
No recall campaigns are listed for the 2013 Nissan Maxima in NHTSA's recall database.
How does the 2013 Nissan Maxima compare with the 2012 and 2014 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2012 has 107 complaints and 0 recalls (solid); the 2014 has 96 complaints and 0 recalls (solid). The 2013 has 62 complaints and 0 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2013 Nissan Maxima?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Nissan Maxima research
Other Nissan Maxima model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2013 Maxima, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.