NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Nissan Maxima Safety Ratings
The 2021 Nissan Maxima scores 100 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Exceptional), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 0 recalls, and 3 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Nissan Maxima achieves an exceptional NHTSA Safety Index score of 100 out of 100. This perfect rating is predicated on a clean sweep of crash-test results from NHTSA, where the vehicle secured the highest possible scores across all evaluated categories. Furthermore, its suite of advanced avoidance technologies contributed to a full score in that domain, and critically, the 2021 Maxima has no recalls on file, a significant indicator for this model year.
The 2021 Nissan Maxima holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 100/100 and a 5-star overall NHTSA crash-test rating, sourced from federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 94 Sedans from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Nissan Maxima ranks 3 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- families prioritizing rollover safety
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 100 / 100 (Exceptional) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 9.5% |
| Recalls on file | 0 |
| Owner complaints | 3 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 3 of 94 Sedans tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Nissan Maxima?
The 2021 Nissan Maxima represents the peak of what MotorCaliber's index can express: a score of 100/100 in the Exceptional band. That is a two-point gain over the 2020 model year's already-strong 98/100, and the improvement traces directly to a perfect defect record score of 20/20, something the prior year did not carry. The index breakdown leaves no soft spots: crash protection contributes the full 70 of 70 points, avoidance technology contributes the full 10 of 10, and the defect record contributes the full 20 of 20. The crash-test picture reinforces this: a 5-star overall rating backed by 5-star frontal, 5-star side, and 5-star rollover scores, with a 10 percent rollover risk and a clean No Tip result in dynamic testing. Forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control all come standard on this model year. The complaint volume, just 3 unverified filings spread across four component categories, is strikingly low for a vehicle of this age, and none of those allegations involve a crash, fire, injury, or death.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Nissan Maxima perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Nissan Maxima earned a perfect 5 out of 5 stars overall from NHTSA. This included 5-star ratings in every individual crash-test category: frontal impact, side impact, and rollover. The vehicle registered a 10 percent rollover risk and a No Tip result in dynamic testing, indicating robust stability performance. No categories returned weak or unrated results for this model year.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15526
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
The 2021 Nissan Maxima has zero recall campaigns on file with NHTSA. There are no open safety defect actions, no park-outside advisories, and no do-not-drive orders associated with this model year. Shoppers should still run a VIN check, as new campaigns can be issued at any time.
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has received 3 unverified consumer complaints for the 2021 Maxima. Alleged concerns span Engine And Engine Cooling, Structure, Electrical System, and an Unknown Or Other category, each with one report. No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths are alleged in these filings.
3 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Nissan Maxima?
Because this is a 5-year-old vehicle on the used market, run the VIN through NHTSA's recall database before purchase. The 2021 Maxima carries no open campaigns today, but recall filings can be added at any point after a vehicle leaves production.
- The 2021 model year is the only Maxima year in the dataset to achieve a perfect 100/100 Safety Index, gaining two points over the 2020 model year's 98/100 by earning a flawless 20/20 defect record score.
- NHTSA recorded zero recall campaigns for the 2021 Nissan Maxima, meaning no safety defect action has been filed against this specific model year.
- All five NHTSA crash-test categories, overall, frontal, side, and rollover, returned 5 stars for this model year, with a 10 percent rollover risk and a No Tip result in dynamic testing.
- Only 3 unverified consumer complaints have been filed with NHTSA for this model year, spread across Engine And Engine Cooling, Structure, Electrical System, and an Unknown Or Other category, with zero alleged crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Nissan Maxima places
The 2021 Nissan Maxima qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Nissan Maxima safety questions
Was the 2021 Nissan Maxima crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Nissan Maxima, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 100 out of 100, placing it in the Exceptional band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Nissan Maxima crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Nissan Maxima earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 5 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 9.5%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Maxima have?
According to NHTSA recall data, no vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Nissan Maxima as of Oct 1, 2026. Equipment recalls, if any, are excluded from the Safety Index. Run your VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm the status is current.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Nissan Maxima?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 3 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Nissan Maxima. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Maxima years
Rivals in Sedan (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi RS 5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Audi S5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Audi A4 Allroad | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
| 2021 Cadillac CT5-V | 97/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Infiniti Q50 | 97/100 | not rated | 3 |
| 2021 Subaru Legacy | 97/100 | 5 of 5 | 3 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15526), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Nissan Maxima 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 3 of 94 in the Sedan class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.