2016 Nissan Maxima problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (20) · Service Brakes (16) · Vehicle Speed Control (13)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Nissan Maxima model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
73 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (8)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 2019-11-08 · campaign 19V807000 · 391,479 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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.
Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 2018-09-07 · campaign 18V601000 · 215,124 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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.
Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification 2016-12-19 · campaign 16V911000 · 757 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 2016-09-02 · campaign 16V636000 · 120,329 vehicles
Defect: 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 l
Risk: A brake fluid leak onto the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS Actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification 2016-04-26 · campaign 16V244000 · 3,296,947 vehicles
Defect: 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 incorrec
Risk: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy par
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 2016-04-07 · campaign 16V193000 · 12,616 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ABS actuator, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 16, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper 2015-11-05 · campaign 15V733000 · 119 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the bolts were not properly tightened, the caliper may detach and reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will check the brake caliper mounting bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2015-08-04 · campaign 15V486000 · 46,846 vehicles
Defect: 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 affect
Risk: If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit. The recall began on September 28, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Service bulletins (278)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Power Train 2025-10-03 · WBI/21-002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
campaign bulletin cvt warranty extension in an effort to assure customer satisfaction, demonstrate our confidence in continuously variable transmissions (cvts), and to address customer concerns including those expressed by customers in a class action, nissan will extend the warranty coverage on the
Service Brakes 2025-02-20 · NTB19-042F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
automatic emergency braking warning light blinking applied systems: vehicles equipped with a lane camera (see figure 1) service information if the automatic emergency braking (aeb) warning light or is blinking (but not illuminated steadily) or the customer states it is blinking, and there are no rel
Service Brakes 2025-02-20 · NTB19-033G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
intelligent cruise control inoperative and aeb/feb warning light on or radar obstruction message displayed with dtc c1a16 or c2582 if you confirm important: the purpose of action (on the next page) is to give you a quick idea of the work you will be performing. you must closely follow the entire ser
Air Bags 2024-09-19 · NTB19-071D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dtc b00a0-00 stored this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin. if you confirm dtc b00a0-00 (occupant detection sensor unit) is stored, and ocs zero point reset cannot be performed, (continued on the next page)
Showing the 6 most recent of 278 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-26 · Unknown Or Other“ the car has been diagnosed with a cvt transmission problem which the mechanic stated was hard to diagnose. the car sometimes slow down to only 30 miles or less being unpredictable when driving and could cause an accident in a busy street or highway as the problem comes at unpredictable times. the car is close to 61000 miles and a car with this mil…”
2026-03-11 · Unknown Or Other“i took my vehicle yesterday to monroe nissan to check on hvac job done last may 2025 as ac was blowing hot air again i was told the ac compressor needs replacement along with that they recommended transmission replacement at a cost of 8000 plus. my nissan is out of warranty but it only has 20000 miles. it didn’t even reach the recommended 30000 c…”
2025-12-09 · Air Bags“the 2016 nissan maxima (vin: [xxx] ) i purchased in january 2025 has been confirmed by a certified mechanic to have no driver airbag installed and no passenger side curtain airbag installed, despite a previous airbag deployment shown on the vehicle history report. there is no record of any airbag replacement or repair. the vehicle was sold to me in…”
2025-08-07 · Power Train · 100,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 nissan maxima. the contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly. the vehicle was shifted into neutral, and the rpms revved up. the vehicle failed to move forward and shut off unintendedly. several hours later, the vehicle was restarted. the vehicle was shaking abnormally while driving, …”
2025-07-12 · Structure:body · 🔥 fire“there was a thermal combustion that caused a fire. yes, the caught combusted at a local business. i had just entered the building and was told that my car was on fire. the police and nissan inspected the car but refused to provide the inspection report. a light came on. i do not know the exact date that it appeared. i just received the recall…”
2025-07-11 · Fuel/Propulsion System“ my vehicle has experienced recurring failures where it will suddenly stop accelerating while driving, placing me in a dangerous situation. the engine remains on, but the car will only coast forward or backward with no throttle response. this has happened multiple times, and i have had to pull over for safety. restarting the car occasionally works …”
2025-07-05 · Power Train“i had been trying to get the transmission changed on several occasions but was unsuccessful and was told to wait until 100,000 miles. so, i complied to suggestion. on 7/3/25 for a scheduled oil and transmission service, it was told that the transmission was throwing a p17f1 code and it would be best no to do anything with the transmission. so, at t…”
2025-07-03 · Unknown Or Other“we started noticing the speed gauge losing speed while driving at around the first of may through june gradually getting worse. when in the last week in june, if you tried to go 70 mph, on the highway, the vehicle would lose power, everything would shut down. yes it could be harmful on the highway to the passengers and other cars passengers, if i…”
2025-06-27 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 118,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2016 nissan maxima. the contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic pending repairs after the contact was involved in a crash, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the independent mechanic requested a carfax report and found the discrepancy, and that the vehicle had…”
2025-05-23 · Vehicle Speed Control“the power on the dashboard goes out and i have no way of knowing my speed, the milage, or any other information on how the vehicle is operating. the radio and other dashboard instruments are off the screens are black and i can't receive any information on how the vehicle is operating. our safety is at risk since when this happens, we don't know if …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.