2016 Nissan MAXIMA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
142 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
40,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 73 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 33 of 142 complaints (23.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 31 | 21.8% |
| Braking behavior | 28 | 19.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 19 | 13.4% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 11.3% |
| Steering behavior | 13 | 9.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 33 |
| Electrical System | 28 |
| Unknown Or Other | 27 |
| Service Brakes | 20 |
| Engine | 18 |
| Air Bags | 13 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 |
| Steering | 9 |
Power Train: 33; Electrical System: 28; Unknown Or Other: 27; Service Brakes: 20; Engine: 18; Air Bags: 13; Vehicle Speed Control: 13; Steering: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 30 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 30; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 69 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2015: 6; 2016: 9; 2017: 19; 2018: 13; 2019: 11; 2020: 16; 2021: 17; 2022: 9; 2023: 14; 2024: 12; 2025: 14; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 31 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 19 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10809337 · 2015-12-09 (December 9, 2015)
SUNROOF TRANSMISSION FRONT BUMPER CLIP FUEL SONAR SENOR NOT WORKING
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10809337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10959162 · 2017-03-07 (March 7, 2017)
TL* 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. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPLACED THE VALVE ASSEMBLY, SEAL LIP, STRAINER ASSEMBLY, CLIP, OIL PAN GASKET, O-RING SEAL, WASHER DRAIN, AND NS-3 CVT TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, T…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,131 miles reported. Look up ODI 10959162 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10818919 · 2016-01-08 (January 8, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, HEAD, AND LOWER BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V733000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 16,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10818919 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10955540 · 2017-02-19 (February 19, 2017)
DRIVER SEAT "ROCKS" UNDER HARD BRAKING OR LEANING INTO THE SEAT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10955540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11081869 · 2018-03-28 (March 28, 2018)
VEHICLE HAS HEAVY FOGGING OF PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WHICH HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY EVIDENT. THE SYMPTOM HAS PROGRESSED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES IN THE FORM OF FLICKERING HEADLIGHTS AND INCONSISTENT DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS WHEN THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE WET ENOUGH. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ONE PHOTO I HAVE TAKEN REVEALS WHAT IS AN APPARENT INTERNAL CRACK IN THE ASSEMBLY. THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY ANY EXTERNAL FORCES, IMPACT, ETC. IT IS INTERNAL TO THE ASSEMBLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 39,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11081869 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10906426 · 2016-09-14 (September 14, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 462. UPDATED 10/28/16*LJ *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 462 miles reported. Look up ODI 10906426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10926795 · 2016-11-17 (November 17, 2016)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10926795 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10958267 · 2017-03-02 (March 2, 2017)
STEERING/STRAIGHT LINE TRACKING ON THIS NISSAN MAXIMA SV (PURCHASED 06/28/2016) IS HORRIBLY UNPREDICTABLE FROM IT'S DATE OF PURCHASE. DRIVER REQUIRED TO BE HYPERSENSITIVE TO CORRECTING TRACKING/LINE DIRECTION OF AFOREMENTIONED VEHICLE. NATURAL TENDENCY OF FRONT WHEELS ARE TO CAREEN TO LEFT AND RIGHT ABRUPTLY AND DANGEROUSLY WITH THE RESULT BEING TO MOVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE OR DRIFT QUICKLY OUTSIDE OF PAINTED LANE LINES. CONSTANT AND INORDINATE ATTENTION IS NEEDED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR HIGHER. IN MOTION, HIGHWAY,…
Owner-reported narrative. 34 miles reported. Look up ODI 10958267 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10779248 · 2015-10-02 (October 2, 2015)
NHTSA CAMPAIGN #15V486000 & NNA FILE #19808586. NEW FUEL TANK HAS BEEN INSTALLED BY DEALER. I'M NOT COMFORTABLE THAT DEALER INSTALLATION SATISFIES THE SAFETY ISSUE OF A REAR END COLLISION. HAS NHTSA RE-TESTED OR OTHERWISE IS SATISFIED THAT THE FUEL TANK INSTALLED AT DEALER LEVEL (VERSUS BY MANUFACTURER) ELIMINATES THE SAFETY ISSUE? THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE THE FUEL TANK RE-TESTED. UPDATED 01/20/16.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10779248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10806901 · 2015-11-02 (November 2, 2015)
2016 NISSAN MAXIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL AT THE GETTING THE RECALL PERFORMED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE ORDERED, DESPITE HIM HAVING AN APPOINTMENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10806901 at NHTSA ↗