What 36 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Nissan Maxima

In June 2019, while driving my 2018 Nissan Maxima, the vehicle suffered a sudden and violent mechanical failure. Without warning, the steering wheel jerked forcefully to the side, and the vehicle became uncomtrollabel leading to an approx 100-foot spin across a median. ​I have since verified this vehicle was subject to NHTSA Recall 19V-807 for an ABS Actuator leak that shorts the circuit board. This defect caused the crash, which resulted in a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with extremy worsening memory loss 4mm spinal shift (L5-S1). I have comparative MRI scans (2015 vs. post-crash) confirming the injury.

NHTSA ODI 11716091

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the "Front Radar Obstruction Unavailable" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle independently slowed down without depression the brake pedal. As a result of the failure, several electrical features including the Forward Collision and Lane Keep Assist safety features failed to operate as needed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

NHTSA ODI 11515788

Inappropriate function of the AEB system. Filed a prior complaint with you a couple of months ago about the cruise control sensor and the AEB. Cruise was fixed, but AEB keeps going off while using cruise inappropriately. Did not get fixed. Spent a lot of time working with Nissan consumer affairs and Vision Nissan in Webster NY and problem not found. There are numerous complaints on line about the same problem, but Nissan consumer affairs (NCA) keeps telling me there are no other complaints about this issue. The NCA told me that unless the service department has the AEB go off while they are trying it out, they won't do anything. If I want the second opinion they are recommending, it has to be out of pocket cost for me. I have had it happen and drove to the dealer without turning the vehicle off, and they didn't pull any codes, so won't address it. I have asked to speak to a manager/supervisor at NCA, but they refuse to let me talk to anyone. This has happened no less than 100 times and is very dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11490826

I purchased this vehicle used a couple of months ago. The automatic emergency braking initiates inappropriately while using ICC, it brakes without obstruction. Also, the distance sensor isn't working properly according to the dealer. When I use ICC, and sometimes when I am not using it, I get an "unavailable, front radar obstruction" message. The ICC stops working when this happens. It happens every single time I drive. The dealer I bought it from (not a Nissan dealer) won't address it. The Nissan dealer I had to pay $160 to diagnose it said it has a faulty Distance Sensor, which will be repaired if I pay over $1000. I only have $13,000 miles on this vehicle, and it was 11,000 when I bought it. This has a Nissan service bulletin easily found online, a known issue to Nissan which is a safety issue, but it isn't recalled and should be.

NHTSA ODI 11475900

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED ALTHOUGH NO OBJECTS WERE PRESENT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLETON NISSAN (10964 PAGE AVE, ST. LOUIS, MO) WHERE THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SENSOR WA RECALIBRATED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 2170186. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11256582

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE BRAKED SUDDENLY. HAWKINSON NISSAN (5513 MILLER CIRCLE DR, MATTESON, IL 60443, 708-304-3645) AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,098.

NHTSA ODI 11230486