2012 Nissan Maxima — Full Specifications
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The 2012 Nissan Maxima is a saloon/sedan powered by a 3.5L 6-cyl premium gasoline engine. It returns around 26 mpg (UK) / 22 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Nissan Maxima workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Nissan Maxima: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 26 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It holds a 4★ overall NHTSA rating (none is on record for the 2011 model).
Full Specifications
| Engine | 3.5L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S6) |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Saloon/Sedan |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 96 cu ft (2,718 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 14 cu ft (396 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 26 combined / 23 urban / 31 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 22 combined / 19 city / 26 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 251 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,750 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2012 Nissan Maxima, all with the 3.5L 6-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (19/26) | 251 | $3,750 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 96 cubic feet (about 2,718 litres) and luggage volume at 14 cubic feet (about 396 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Nissan Maxima
Running Costs: 2012 Nissan Maxima
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Nissan Maxima at 26 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,399 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,750 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Nissan Maxima Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Nissan Maxima as of 6 October 2026. Recalls can be issued years after a model is sold, so it is still worth checking your own VIN.
Owners have filed 107 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Maxima. The most-reported areas are Air bags (27), Unspecified (23), Electrical system (20). Complaints include 6 reported crashes, 2 reported fires, 7 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 62 complaints across the 13 Nissan Maxima model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Nissan Maxima
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (27 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Electrical system (20 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Transmission & drivetrain (18 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
Nissan models in our database average about 29 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Nissan Maxima's 26 mpg is 3 mpg below that make average. Its 251 g/km CO₂ figure is 11 g/km higher than the 240 g/km Nissan average.
Of the 13 Nissan Maxima model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 9th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (26 mpg UK combined, against a high of 30 mpg). See every Nissan Maxima year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Nissan Maxima
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Nissan Maxima have?
It's fitted with a 3.5L 6-cyl premium gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (av-s6) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Nissan Maxima?
The most efficient configuration returns around 26 mpg (UK) combined, or 22 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2012 Nissan Maxima cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,750 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Nissan Maxima have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 3 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2012 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Nissan Maxima as of 6 October 2026. Recalls can be issued years after a model is sold, so it is still worth checking your own VIN.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Nissan Maxima?
Among the 107 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Air bags (27 complaints), Unspecified (23 complaints), Electrical system (20 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2012 Nissan Maxima have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 96 cubic feet (about 2,718 litres) and luggage volume at 14 cubic feet (about 396 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.