2011 Nissan Maxima: Engine complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 14 owner complaints for the 2011 Nissan Maxima that list the engine component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11520699 (filed 05/05/2023): “Cvt transmission jerking , engine is always idling hard sometimes wants to even shut off , accelerating sometimes takes a lil while to respond , rack and pinion assembly faulty i would like for nissan to fix my car or get a lump sum check for all faulty errors these cars have…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11399057 (filed 03/04/2021): “My car has less than 113,500 miles and started losing power and coasting, the speed would fluctuate and something sounds loose in the engine. i took it to lithia nissan in fresno ca on blackstone and they told me the cvt belt needs to be replaced thereby causing the car to need a whole new transmis…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11386730 (filed 01/05/2021): “This is my third nissan maxima and they all had the same idsue with the mass air flow sensor. set off check engine light and makes car hesitate when accerlerating. my mom owns a 2013 maxima 45000 miles and has the same issue with check engine light.…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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Sources
Page last updated .