2008 Nissan Maxima problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: What gas mileage does the 2008 Nissan Maxima get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2008 Nissan Maxima at about 21 mpg combined (19 city / 25 highway).

Q: How much is a 2008 Nissan Maxima worth?

Comparable 2008 Nissan Maxima listings run roughly $4,300–$8,500, typically around $6,422 (from 94 vehicles).

2008 Nissan Maxima at a glance

Safety recallsNone

Owner complaints78

Combined21 mpg

Typical price$6,422

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2008 Nissan Maxima recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2008 Nissan Maxima.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2008 Nissan Maxima common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags

Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Structure

Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Suspension

Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

Engine

Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

2008 Nissan Maxima MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg

City19 mpg

Highway25 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$3,600

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2008 Nissan Maxima worth?

Low

$4,300

Typical price

$6,422

High

$8,500

From 94 comparable 2008 Nissan Maxima listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Nissan Maxima costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,000

Depreciation (5 yrs)$4,100

Total$22,100

Per mile$0.29

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($6,422) with the same model 5 model-years older ($2,298), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.