NissanMaxima2021Overview/nissan/maxima/2021/base/

2021 Nissan Maxima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Maxima.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S7)

The 2021 Maxima’s platform is engineered around a 0W‑20 oil system that holds 5.07 quarts, paired with an automatic (AV‑S7) transmission. It achieves EPA fuel‑economy ratings of 20 city, 30 highway and 24 combined miles per gallon. Reliability data shows only three owner complaints for the model year, all clustered in the engine and engine‑cooling area, with no recalls issued, placing the 2021 version among the lowest‑complaint years in the model’s 1990‑2023 history.

Model year202320222021202020192018201720162014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.07 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/30/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F1E. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size245/40R19 94WOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F1E
Engine air filter16546V0100
Spark plug22401EW61C
Front wiper blades288903TA0D alt 288903TA1B
Serpentine belt117206TA0A
Thermostat13050ZA000 alt 212009HP0A
Cabin air filter272779NM0A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.9 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase109.4 in
Curb weight3587 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 30 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume98 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Maxima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.7–6.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.70 sec — 2017 Platinum
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020Platinum Reserve 3.5L V66.00 sec14.60 sec300 hpFWD
2019Platinum 3.5L V65.80 sec14.30 sec300 hpFWD
2017Platinum 3.5L V65.70 sec14.20 sec300 hpFWD
2016Platinum 3.5L V65.70 sec14.20 sec300 hpFWD
2016Platinum 3.5L V65.80 sec14.30 sec300 hpFWD
2016SR 3.5L V65.80 sec14.30 sec300 hpFWD
2016SR 3.5L V65.90 sec14.40 sec300 hpFWD
2016SR 3.5L V66.00 sec14.50 sec300 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.07 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to Use a new washer: 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidNissan CVT NS-3 Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.6 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantNissan Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity9.7 qt
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity5.07 qt
Power Steering FluidNissan E-PSF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts65.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts65.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23.0 ft. ls. ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new washer: 25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs61.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5.1 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Setting Speed: 650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Checking Speed: 650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNissan
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.11-1.21 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Oil Capacity3.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.039

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts17 in
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 7-101.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.0-15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-95°14–15 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.0-15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-95°14–15 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
132.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 84-90°32 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
172.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen all bolts in reverse order of tightening. Step 3: 29.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 103°, Step 5: 103°72 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Lower Bolts5.2 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0-28.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-95°24–28 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-95°24–28 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miKeyless Entry Remote Battery (replace)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima sits at the low end of the federal complaint spectrum, with only 3 complaints, no recalls, and no investigations, a sharp decline from the 142 complaints and 8 recalls seen in 2016 and the 102 complaints and 4 recalls in 2017. Compared to the previous year, 2020 had 21 complaints and one recall, while the following year, 2022, saw only 5 complaints and no recalls, indicating a gradual downward trend in issues. Across the generation, the peak of complaints occurred in 2004 (1,425 complaints) and 2005 (948 complaints), after which the numbers have steadily fallen into the single digits for the last several years. The 2021 model year’s top complaint categories—Engine & Engine Cooling, Structure, and Electrical System—each had only one report, and there were no crash or fire complaints recorded. This data suggests that 2021 represents a low‑risk year within the Maxima’s history, making it a solid candidate for purchase.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
95
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling1
Structure,Unknown Or Other1
Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 95 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB19-042F2025-02-20Electrical SystemAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING APPLIED SYSTEMS: Vehicles equipped…
NTB19-033G2025-02-20Forward Collision AvoidanceINTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION…
NTB19-071D2024-09-19Air BagsDTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Maxima. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Maxima take?

5.07 qt of Nissan SN 0W-20 Motor Oil, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Maxima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Maxima get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 30 highway / 24 combined mpg.