There are 5 owner-reported suspension complaints for the 2017 Nissan Maximain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Failure of rear control arms
Driver side rear lower suspension broke while driving which caused a wheel misalignment and tire worn within few weeks. Nissan is not recalling any cars but instead they extended the warranty but only fixing the cars when the arms corrode. https://www.nissanassist.com/campaigns/certain-my-2013-2018-nissan-altima-and-certain-my-2016-2018-nissan-maxima-rear-lower-suspension-link
THE CAR IS BECOMES UNSTABLE AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, EVEN AT MODERATE SPEEDS (20+ MPH). WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, THERE IS A LOUD THUMP / CLUNK / BANG FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION - AND THEN THE REAR OF THE CAR LOOSES TRACTION/STABILITY. NISSAN MUST BE AWARE OF A DESIGN ISSUE ISSUE AS IT HAS ISSUED A TSB TRYING TO SOLVE THE INFERIOR BUSHINGS IT CHOSE FOR THE REAR SUSPENSION - SERVICE BULLETIN NTB17-107. HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT SOLVE THE INSTABILITY PROBLEM. I FIND MYSELF DRIVING AT HALF THE LEGAL SPEEDS TO KEEP THE CAR STABLE - THE NEED TO SLOW DOWN FOR EACH BUMP IS CREATING A ROAD HAZARD. DRIVING ON THE SAME ROADS WITH MY OTHER CARS AT MUCH HIGHER SPEEDS (ROAD LEGAL SPEEDS), I DO NOT EXPERIENCE ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THE STABILITY CONTROL FUNCTION DOES NOT SEEM TO HELP AND IT LIGHTS UP FREQUENTLY WHEN DRIVING ON BUMPY ROADS. I FOUND MYSELF VEERING OF THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY TO CONTROL THE CAR. THIS MUST BE A TERRIBLE AND DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW. IN ROADS THAT I CAN DRIVE THE LEGAL SPEED IN A HYUNDAI SONANA OR TOYOTA 4RUNNER (45 - 65MPH) I SOMETIMES NEED TO CUT SPEED IN HALF WHEN DRIVING THE NISSAN MAXIMA SR JUST TO KEEP THE CAR STABLE ON THE ROAD.
THE STEERING ARM FROM THE RACK TO THE LEFT WHEEL ASSEMBLY JUST SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING ON A SMOOTH CITY STREET AT A LOW SPEED LEAVING THE CAR COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL.
PURCHASED CAR NEW WITH 9 MILES. DAY TWO OWING CAR, SWAY BAR HAD TO BE REPLACE BUT WAS FIXED. THE ISSUE IS THE REAR END OF THE CAR SAGS WHEN THERE IS EITHER BACK SEAT PASSENGERS OR WEIGHT IN THE TRUNK NOW. AFTER THE FIRST MONTH OF OWING THE CAR, THERE HAS BEEN AND STILL IS A CLINGING/CLANGING NOISE FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION AREA. WHILE THE CAR HAD THE ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY, MULTIPLE NISSAN DEALERSHIPS COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES THAT WERE VISIBLE. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019, NISSAN STATE'S I NEED NEW REAR SHOCKS TO FIX THE ISSUE. AFTER PURCHASING THE NEW SHOCKS FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND GETTING THEM INSTALLED, ISSUE STILL EXIST AND IT'S WORSE NOW THAN BEFORE
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026