NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 64 complaints against the 2022 Nissan Maxima. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2022 Nissan Maxima complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2022 Nissan Maxima has generated 5 NHTSA complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If your 2022 Nissan Maxima has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Nissan pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
Brake defects affecting safety may qualify for California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, which applies to defects likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. The 2022 Nissan Maxima has generated 1 NHTSA complaint related to braking, including ABS failures, grinding, reduced stopping power, and warning lights. Owner reports include: “The contact owned a 2022 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving at 40 MPH and attempting to stop at a stop sign, with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the driver swerved in an attempt to avoid a collision, side-swiping the vehicle ahead and colliding with 3 light poles before coasting to a complete stop on the shoulder of the roadway. The air bags did not deploy during the impact, resulting in the driver sustaining minor injuries. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. A police report was filed. The contact’s granddaughter sustained nondescript injuries to her head and knees but did not seek medical treatment. The contact also stated that, though she was made aware that the driver of the other vehicle had reported injuries, the injuries and treatment were unknown. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.” (NHTSA Complaint #11595822)
The 2022 Nissan Maxima has generated 1 NHTSA complaint for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “On February 10, 2023 I purchased a 2022 Nissan Maxima with a little over 19,000 miles on it. Which has a warranty for up to 104,000 miles. Currently at a little over 25,000 miles. Maybe a week later I noticed a noise coming from the rear, so I informed the Finance Manager, Paul. He then goes on to tell me that he’s going to schedule a service appointment. The day I went to Barnes Crossing of Starkville they kept saying they didn’t see anything or didn’t know what was going on. So the finance manager scheduled an appointment with Nissan. When I get there is when I find out the rear end of the car has a lot of parts not connected. As the man at Nissan stated, it’s a mess. Which he also took pictures of and sent them to me. Which I sent the pictures to the Finance Manager, Paul. He asks how much is the broken parts, which I had no clue due to it would have to go to a body shop. He mentioned that he would look for another Maxima, that he could trade me out. My complaints about this car startedHe mentioned I would have to take it was going to take a body repair shop. I then inform Barnes Crossing of Starkville. I was told by the finance manager the he would find a body repair shop but never did. Then because there’s this strong odor in the car, I tried to get it clean cover it with air fresheners and still the smell is strong. So one day I go in the truck and pull everything out and to my surprise it’s full of water. Which I have picture, not only is it full of water looks like mold spots, etc. I tried to clean it and some of the spots would not go. I informed him of this still he was saying they was going to find me another car, still no car. The trunk of the car is steady getting full of water. Nothing is being done, I reached back out and was told I’ll have to do the whole process over again because a credit report is only good for 30 days. Which I’ve been complaining about this car a week after I received it.Mold and water keep appearing I’m sick” (NHTSA Complaint #11524488)
The 2022 Nissan Maxima has generated 1 NHTSA complaint for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “Panoramic sunroof lining started to droop and hang on the back portion of the panoramic roof blocking my view before the car reached 2,000 miles. Dealership refuses to fix stating they would have a Nissan representative look at it and make the repair stating the cost would be over 3,000 dollars. After bringing my vehicle I’m twice and leaving at the dealership for over a week, it was never looked at and I was told to pick it back up and would be contacted once they speak to Nissan. After dozens of calls and no returned calls with my questions, my car now has 7900 miles and I am stuck with the fabric rolled up and taped to keep from blocking by view. This was done by the dealership prior to me picking up my car from Them. The back seat has the sun and glare constantly in the car due to me not being able to block the light. I’m Still fighting this issue with them. Nissan consumer affairs will not return my calls after the representative left me a message stating I could call them back anytime with any concerns or questions even though my several messages asked that a Nissan engineer or representative inspect my car. My dealership stated, prior to promising me Nissan would look at it, said that someone’s head or a heavy box could have put a dent in the framing around the sun roof from the inside of my car even though no one but my 73 year old mother has sat in the back seat ONE time. I don’t know what else to do to have this taken care of. My brand new car should not have a 3,000 issue I should have to cover the costs for. The steering wheel also rattles when driving and you can hear air flow coming through the back seat area from a window or the sunroof. I also mentioned the air noise issue to Nissan with no return call regarding this.” (NHTSA Complaint #11522774)
The 2022 Nissan Maxima has generated 1 NHTSA complaint for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle at night with the headlights illuminated, the driver’s side light beam had a dark shaded spot in the illuminated light field and the light field was directed approximately 35 degrees to the left creating both visibility hazard for the driver and a blinding hazard for oncoming traffic. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the driver side headlight assembly, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,700.” (NHTSA Complaint #11512982)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2022 Nissan Maxima have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 1 NHTSA complaint on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “I'm investigating a fire in this vehicle. The owner was driving and noticed a smell of rubber or electrical burning. He parked the car and noticed a s…”
As of the date of this review, no active recalls have been issued specifically for the 2022 Nissan Maxima. Recall status can change at any time. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the most current information. The absence of a recall does not mean your vehicle is defect-free — many lemon law claims proceed without a recall on file.
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2022 Nissan Maxima:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Nissan to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Nissan must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2022 Nissan Maxima qualifies as a lemon under California law, Nissan may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Nissan a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Nissan dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Nissan pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Nissan a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Nissan is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2022 Nissan Maxima has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
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