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2016 Nissan Maxima

Gas
Midsize Cars
1 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls4 critical8
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA142
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA25 mpg
20232022202120202019201820172016
Active NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from structures until repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.

The 2016 Nissan Maxima is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car. The most efficient version, the Maxima, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year, 4 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 142 complaints, most often about the power train. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
MaximaGasFWD3.5L 6-cyl223025$3,100

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36288.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Nissan Maxima is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (8)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Park outside391,479 vehicles
ProblemNissan 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.RiskA brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.FixNissan 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.
NHTSA campaign 19V807000reported Nov 8, 2019Nissan North America, Inc.
!critical

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Park outside215,124 vehicles
ProblemNissan 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.RiskA brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.FixNissan 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
NHTSA campaign 18V601000reported Sep 7, 2018Nissan North America, Inc.
▲high

Air Bags

757 vehicles
ProblemNissan 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.RiskIf the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixNissan 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V911000reported Dec 19, 2016Nissan North America, Inc.
!critical

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

120,329 vehicles
ProblemNissan 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.RiskA brake fluid leak onto the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.FixNissan 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
NHTSA campaign 16V636000reported Sep 2, 2016Nissan North America, Inc.
▲high

Air Bags

3,296,947 vehicles
ProblemNissan 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 crashRiskIf 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.FixNissan 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
NHTSA campaign 16V244000reported Apr 26, 2016Nissan North America, Inc.
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

12,616 vehicles
ProblemNissan 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.RiskInsufficient brake fluid pressure may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixNissan 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V193000reported Apr 7, 2016Nissan North America, Inc.
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

119 vehicles
ProblemNissan 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.RiskIf the bolts were not properly tightened, the caliper may detach and reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.FixNissan 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.
NHTSA campaign 15V733000reported Nov 5, 2015Nissan North America, Inc.
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

46,846 vehicles
ProblemNissan 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 tRiskIf 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.FixNissan 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.
NHTSA campaign 15V486000reported Aug 4, 2015Nissan North America, Inc.

NHTSA defect investigations

Suspension:Rear — Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure closed

On July 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened EA19002 to investigate instances of alleged rear lower control arm failures in 2013-2018 Nissan Altima and 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima vehicles. At the time the investigation was opened ODI had 91 consumer complaints alleging rear lower control arm failures in the subject vehicles.ODI was concerned about these complaints because many of them alleged an increased steering effort or loss of vehicle control.At the time these complaints were received, ODI was also aware of a proactive service campaign addressing 2013 Nissan Altima in salt-belt states for a similar concern. Since opening the investigation, ODI has confirmed, based on

Opened Jul 29, 2019 · closed Jun 16, 2025 · action EA19002

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
142complaints filed

10 involved a crash · 4 a fire · 12 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2015: 6 · 2016: 9 · 2017: 19 · 2018: 13 · 2019: 11 · 2020: 16 · 2021: 17 · 2022: 9 · 2023: 14 · 2024: 12 · 2025: 14 · 2026: 2

Most-cited components

Power Train33
Electrical System31
Unspecified27
Service Brakes20
Engine18
Air Bags14

What owners describe

“What component or system failed or malfunctioned etc. -The Nissan CVT transmission that is used in all Nissan models and has a known history of premature failure. My 2016 Maxima has 48,000 miles and a completely failed transmission. Yes it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at …”Sep 8, 2022 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to lose power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal but the vehicle failed to respond. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to exit the highway and managed to dri…”Aug 12, 2022 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“I was driving at 25 MPH when I heard and felt a clunk. The car drove strangely and each small bump in the road was noisy. I pulled over and did not see anything obvious. I put on my flashers and drove the car to my mechanic. He discovered a broken rear wheel control arm. He said I was lucky this happened at a low speed…”Jun 27, 2022 · Suspension · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Maxima model years

A

2023 Nissan Maxima

0 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2022 Nissan Maxima

0 recalls · 5 complaints

A

2021 Nissan Maxima

0 recalls · 3 complaints

A

2020 Nissan Maxima

1 recalls · 21 complaints

A

2019 Nissan Maxima

1 recalls · 18 complaints

B

2018 Nissan Maxima

2 recalls · 36 complaints

F

2017 Nissan Maxima

4 recalls · 103 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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