The 2017 Maxima with the VQ35DE V6 is a solid highway cruiser, but the CVT transmission remains the Achilles' heel of this platform, and some high-mileage examples develop catastrophic engine failures tied to oil consumption and timing chain issues.
CVT Transmission Failure / Judder
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Shuddering or vibration during acceleration, especially 15-40 mph, Hesitation when accelerating from a stop, Whining or grinding noises from transmission, Sudden loss of power or failure to move
Fix: CVT replacement or rebuild required in most cases. Nissan extended warranty to 84k mi on some units, but many fail just beyond that. Expect 12-16 hours labor for R&R. Transmission oil cooler often replaced simultaneously as it contributes to overheating.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Excessive Oil Consumption / Engine Damage
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Low oil warning light between changes (consuming 1+ qt per 1,000 mi), Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Rattling from timing chain area on cold start, Check engine light with misfire codes, Catastrophic failure: knocking, loss of compression
Fix: Worn piston rings are the root cause—oil control rings fail, leading to oil burning and carbon buildup. Minor cases may limp along with frequent top-offs, but severe cases require complete engine rebuild or short block replacement. Timing chain tensioner failure can cascade into valve/piston damage. 25-35 hours labor for full rebuild.
Estimated cost: $4,500-8,000
Transmission Mounts Deterioration
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting into gear (Park to Drive), Vibration felt through cabin at idle, Excessive engine movement visible under acceleration
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount fails, allowing excessive drivetrain movement. Replacement is straightforward but often done in conjunction with CVT service. 2-3 hours labor for mount replacement.
Estimated cost: $350-600
ABS Module / Traction Control Faults
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: ABS, VDC (traction control), and brake warning lights illuminated simultaneously, Loss of anti-lock braking function, Brake pedal feels normal but no ABS intervention when needed
Fix: Multiple recalls issued for ABS control module software and hydraulic unit failures. Diagnosis requires Nissan-specific scan tool to isolate module vs. wheel speed sensor issues. Module replacement/reprogramming takes 2-4 hours. Check for open recalls first—some covered under extended warranty.
Estimated cost: $800-1,800
Occupant Classification System (OCS) Sensor Failure
Occasional · low severitySymptoms: Airbag warning light on dash, Passenger airbag OFF light stays on with adult in seat, Intermittent airbag light during normal driving
Fix: Seat sensor mat under passenger seat fails to correctly detect occupant weight. Recall issued for some VINs (NHTSA 19V-395). Replacement involves removing seat, replacing sensor mat, and recalibrating system. 1.5-2.5 hours labor if not recall-covered.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Fuel System / High-Pressure Fuel Pump Issues
Rare · medium severityTypical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting or extended cranking, especially when hot, Hesitation or stumbling under hard acceleration, Check engine light with fuel pressure codes (P0087, P0191)
Fix: Direct injection high-pressure fuel pump can fail, often due to contamination from old fuel or faulty fuel filter. Filter is integral to pump assembly on this platform. Pump replacement requires fuel system depressurization and partial intake removal. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Buy one under 60k miles with full service records and confirmed recall work, but avoid high-mileage examples or anything with CVT hesitation—repair costs can exceed the car's value quickly.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.