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Your vehicleHome›Nissan›Maxima› 2016
Active NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from structures until repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.
Nissan · Midsize Sedan

2016 Nissan Maxima

Gas
Midsize Cars
1 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
43 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls3 critical 8
Complaints10 crash · 4 fire · 12 injured reported 142
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 25 mpg
20232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 Nissan Maxima is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize sedan. The most efficient version, the Maxima, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 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.

2016 Nissan Maxima

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
MaximaGasFWD3.5L 6-cyl223025$3,300

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

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Maxima5–6 / 10Bin 5 / LEV-III ULEV125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSedan/Saloon
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Engine Basics

Displacement3.5 L

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Transmission

Drivetrain4x2

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim. Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length192.9 in
Width (body, without mirrors)73.2 in
Height56.7 in
Wheelbase109.4 in
Track, front62.2 in
Track, rear62.2 in
Curb weight3,565 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear61/39

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here one configuration: 4-door Sedan. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2016 Maxima
Other years The 2023 Maxima Recalls Nissan recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Nissan Maxima is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (8)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Park outside 391,479 vehicles 63% reported repaired built Feb 10, 2015 – May 22, 2018
Problem 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.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V807000 reported Nov 8, 2019 Nissan North America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Park outside 215,124 vehicles 81% reported repaired built Feb 10, 2015 – Jan 5, 2017
Problem 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
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V601000 reported Sep 7, 2018 Nissan North America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

757 vehicles 50% reported repaired built Jun 4, 2015 – Aug 19, 2015
Problem 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. 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V911000 reported Dec 19, 2016 Nissan North America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

120,329 vehicles 90% reported repaired built Feb 10, 2015 – Aug 19, 2016
Problem 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. 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
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V636000 reported Sep 2, 2016 Nissan North America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

3,296,947 vehicles 77% reported repaired built Feb 10, 2015 – Apr 7, 2016
Problem 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 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
NHTSA campaign 16V244000 reported Apr 26, 2016 Nissan North America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

12,616 vehicles 78% reported repaired built Nov 25, 2015 – Feb 12, 2016
Problem 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V193000 reported Apr 7, 2016 Nissan North America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

119 vehicles 88% reported repaired built Oct 6, 2015 – Oct 7, 2015
Problem 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.
NHTSA campaign 15V733000 reported Nov 5, 2015 Nissan North America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

46,846 vehicles 85% reported repaired built Feb 10, 2015 – Aug 18, 2015
Problem 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 t 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.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 15V486000 reported Aug 4, 2015 Nissan North America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

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 o

Opened Jul 29, 2019 · closed Jun 16, 2025 · action EA19002 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific Maxima

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2016 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Nissan publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Nissan’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2016 Nissan Maxima, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2016 Nissan Maxima

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this Maxima →

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 Train 33
Electrical System 31
Unspecified 27
Service Brakes 21
Engine 20
Air Bags 14

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. While driving 20 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact wrestled with the steering wheel in an effort to avoid crashing into the oncoming barrier. Leckner Nissan of ellicott city, maryland was made aware of the failure and held the vehicle for two weeks.
Steering at 12,961 miles Jul 12, 2017 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11004887
The brakes have been squealing at higher speeds as well as at lower speeds. It doesn't matter if you are going straight or turning, the squeaks don't seem to stop
Service Brakes at 7,900 miles Jun 21, 2017 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11000421
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. While trying to avoid a disabled vehicle, the contact lost control due to debris in the road. As a result, the vehicle was involved in a front end collision with a guardrail. The failure occurred without warning and the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed.
Air Bags at 25,000 miles May 8, 2017 NHTSA owner report · ODI 10984253
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. While driving 50-55 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle stalled. The contact lost power steering, power brakes, and other electrical functions. The contact stated that the failure recurred on several occasions.
Electrical System at 13,131 miles Mar 7, 2017 NHTSA owner report · ODI 10959162
Front bumper clip broken car stalls when driving up an incline at low speeds. Car pulls to the left when driving. Alignment was checked, but was fine according to a Nissan dealer technician. The steering wheel seemed to momentarily lock when making a swift and sharp left turn
Structure Nov 17, 2016 NHTSA owner report · ODI 10926795
I find it ridiculous that a brand new car would be recalled b4 I even get 5,000 miles especially in a way that is dangerous and could cause fire to my car, safety should have been guaranteed b4 this car was sold, I wanted a different model that I was told was on sales hold, if they knew it was a problem they shouldn't have sold US the…
Fuel/Propulsion System at 4,533 miles Dec 5, 2015 NHTSA owner report · ODI 10808600

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.

Reported by Nissan itself: 3 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 1 killed, 2 injured, as claimed, not verified. Every Maxima model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 42k

miles, typically

Half the 71 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 13,000 and 70,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 14
10k–20k 10
20k–30k 5
30k–40k 5
40k–50k 7
50k–60k 6
60k–70k 4
70k–80k 5
80k–90k 5
90k–100k 2
100k–150k 7
150k + 1

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Power Train1474,0001.42×
Electrical System1457,8001.28×
Unspecified1338,000—

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2016-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

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

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 278
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-04-13
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 278 service bulletins

Most often about: Equipment, Electrical System, Power Train, Engine, Visibility/Wiper.

  • NTB09-131C Service bulletin
    2026-04-13 · Structure — Body
  • 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 available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides
  • NTB09-131C Service bulletin
    2026-04-13 · Structure — Body
  • 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 available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides
  • WBI/21-002 Service bulletin
    2025-10-03 · Power Train
  • 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 CVT. The warranty extension includes the CVT assembly and internal CVT components, gaskets, and seal
  • NTB19-042F Service bulletin
    2025-02-20 · Electrical System
  • 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 related DTCs, inspect the windshield. A blinking AEB warning light may occur under the following condit
  • NTB19-033G Service bulletin
    2025-02-20 · Electrical System
  • 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 SERVICE PROCEDURE as it contains information that is essential to successfully completing this repair.
  • NTB19-071D Service bulletin
    2024-09-19 · Air Bags
  • 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)
  • NTB12-103I Service bulletin
    2024-06-07 · Power Train
  • CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA “WRITE” PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
  • NTB13-107G Service bulletin
    2024-05-21 · Electrical System
  • VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P17F1
P17F1 on Nissan →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train22 bulletins · 1 owner report
P17F0
P17F0 on Nissan →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Power Train22 bulletins
P0456
P0456 on Nissan →		A very small leak in the evaporative emissions system.Equipment · Gas cap →7 bulletins
B130C
B130C on Nissan →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment5 bulletins
B2EF0
B2EF0 on Nissan →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment5 bulletins
P0087
P0087 on Nissan →		Fuel rail pressure is below what the system commanded.Engine · Fuel pump →4 bulletins
P0101
P0101 on Nissan →		The mass air flow sensor is reporting a figure the engine computer does not believe for the conditions.Engine · Mass air flow sensor →4 bulletins
P0448
P0448 on Nissan →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine4 bulletins
P2008
P2008 on Nissan →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine4 bulletins
C1A16
C1A16 on Nissan →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →3 bulletins
P0442
P0442 on Nissan →		A small leak in the evaporative emissions system.Equipment · Gas cap →3 bulletins
P0455
P0455 on Nissan →		A large leak in the evaporative emissions system — often a fuel cap left off.Equipment · Gas cap →3 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Nissan Maxima failed the emissions check on 4.5% of first inspections — close to the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.4% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%).

New York inspections 4.5%

failed emissions

1,432 initial inspections of 1,393 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2016 MaximaEvery 2016 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check4.5%4.2%1,429
Failed the safety inspection2.4%2.2%1,432
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.42%0.27%1,432
Miles driven a year9,80110,028odometer at inspection
Average odometer100,866103,109odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2016 vehicle” is every 2016 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Maxima by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2023 A 0 1 24 mpg2022 A 0 5 24 mpg2021 A 0 3 24 mpg2020 A 1 22 24 mpg2019 A 1 18 24 mpg2018 B 2 36 Park outside2017 F 4 106 Park outside2016 this page F 8 142 Park outside

Common questions about the 2016 Maxima

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2016 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 8 recall campaigns for the 2016 Nissan Maxima, 3 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 19V807000, covering Service Brakes, Hydraulic. 2 of them were filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. There is an active park outside advisory — act on it before driving. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2016 Nissan Maxima?

NHTSA gave the 2016 Nissan Maxima 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 5-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (43/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Nissan Maxima?

For the 2016 Nissan Maxima, the best EPA combined figure is 25 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2016 Nissan Maxima?

Transport Canada measured it at 192.9 in long, 73.2 in wide (body, without mirrors), 56.7 in tall, on a 109.4 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,565 lb. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2016 Nissan Maxima?

Owners have filed 142 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Nissan Maxima, most often about power train, electrical system, unspecified. Of those, 10 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 12 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2016 Nissan Maxima?

The EPA smog rating for the 2016 Nissan Maxima runs 5 to 6 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — Bin 5, LEV-III ULEV125 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2016 Nissan Maxima?

The manufacturer has filed 278 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2016 Nissan Maxima, most often covering equipment, electrical system, power train. The most recent is dated 2026-04-13. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2016 Nissan Maxima do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Nissan Maxima failed the emissions check on 4.5% of first inspections — close to the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.4% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations1 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates1 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls8NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints142NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins278NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations1NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA6 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2023 Maxima The Maxima model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every Nissan recall on file All campaigns filed against Nissan vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Maxima by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

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). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

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

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