2016 Nissan Maxima Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Nissan Maxima.

20152017
Complaints
223
per 10K Sold
35.4
US Sales
62,970
Crashes
16
Fires
8
Injuries
13
Fatalities
Recalls
8

Worst 2016 Nissan Maxima Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#133 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:57,256 mi
#228 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:41,494 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:2
#320 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:24,003 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Nissan Maxima.

Transmission / Drivetrain
33
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
57,256
Electrical Faults
28
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Avg Miles
41,494
Brakes
20
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
24,003
Engine Problems
18
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
32,432
Airbags
13
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
30,974
Unintended Acceleration
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
55,480
Steering Defects
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
6,015
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
23,558
Body Structure
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
63,275
Headlight/Taillight Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
45,233
Electronic Stability Control
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
54,812
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward-Collision Avoidance Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Nissan Maxima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2016 Nissan Maxima

8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,084,217 vehicles.

19V807000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
~391,479 affected

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

18V601000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
~215,124 affected

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Nissan Murano, 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

16V911000Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
~757 affected

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima vehicles manufactured January 3, 2013, to July 29, 2013, 2015-2016 Rogue vehicles manufactured October 14, 2014, to August 12, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured June 4, 2015, to August 19, 2015. An incorrect Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have been installed in the front passenger seat. The incorrect ECU and seat combination may misclassify the front passenger seat occupant.

16V636000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
~120,329 affected

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 19, 2016 and equipped with Intelligent Cruise Control, 2015-2017 Murano vehicles manufactured August 22, 2014, to August 19, 2016 and equipped with Intelligent Cruise Control, and 2015-2016 Murano Hybrid vehicles manufactured August 22, 2014, to July 19, 2016. The affected vehicles have Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps that may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal electrical circuit board.

16V244000Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
~3,296,947 affected

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.

16V193000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
~12,616 affected

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016 Murano vehicles manufactured December 17, 2015, to February 11, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to February 12, 2016 and equipped with an antilock braking system (ABS) and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC). The ABS actuator may have a damaged O-ring that may result in a lack of brake fluid pressure.

15V733000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
~119 affected

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2015 Altima and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured October 6, 2015, to October 7, 2015. The affected vehicles have front brake calipers whose mounting bolts may not be properly tightened.

15V486000Gasoline Fuel System
~46,846 affected

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the agency on July 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 18, 2015. On October 14, 2015, Nissan expanded the recall to cover an additional 41,388 vehicles, including certain model year 2013-2015 Altima 3.5 vehicles equipped with a V6 engine manufactured March 30, 2012, to August 18, 2015 as well as the vehicles covered by the July 31, 2015 notification. In the affected vehicles, due to an improperly installed o-ring that may not have been seated correctly at the time of assembly, fuel may leak during a crash from the area where the fuel sending unit attaches to the fuel tank.

Other Nissan Maxima Years

2016 Nissan Maxima — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2016 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2016 Nissan Maxima has 223 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash-related, and 8 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 33 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2016 Nissan Maxima?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (33 complaints, avg 57,256 mi); Electrical Faults (28 complaints, avg 41,494 mi); Brakes (20 complaints, avg 24,003 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Nissan Maxima?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 40,608 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2016 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Nissan Maxima include 16 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 13 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2016 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
Yes — 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,084,217 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2016 Nissan Maxima?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Maxima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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