2012 Nissan Maxima problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Maxima get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Maxima at about 22 mpg combined (19 city / 26 highway).

Q: How much is a 2012 Nissan Maxima worth?

Comparable 2012 Nissan Maxima listings run roughly $14,000–$19,600, typically around $16,792 (from 2,052 vehicles).

2012 Nissan Maxima at a glance

Safety recallsNone

Owner complaints107

Overall safety4 / 5 ★

Combined22 mpg

Typical price$16,792

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

2012 Nissan Maxima recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2012 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.

2012 Nissan Maxima common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 107 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

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.

Electrical System

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

Power Train

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

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.

Structure

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

Steering

Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

2012 Nissan Maxima safety ratings

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash★★★★★

Side crash★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Nissan Maxima 4 DR FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Nissan Maxima MPG & running costs

Combined22 mpg

City19 mpg

Highway26 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$3,450

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

What's a 2012 Nissan Maxima worth?

Low

$14,000

Typical price

$16,792

High

$19,600

From 2,052 comparable 2012 Nissan Maxima listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Nissan Maxima costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,250

Depreciation (5 yrs)$11,450

Total$28,700

Per mile$0.38

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 ($16,792) with the same model 5 model-years older ($5,342), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.