1996 Nissan MAXIMA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
45 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
100,300 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 45 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 15.6% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 11.1% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 6.7% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 6.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 4.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 5; Air Bags: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Tires:Tread/Belt: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 3
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 30 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1996: 3; 2000: 12; 2001: 6; 2002: 3; 2003: 6; 2004: 3; 2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2011: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003330 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO SOON AT LOWER SPEEDS WHEN THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON IS ON. IF OVERDRIVES IS OFF THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS. I HAVE CHANGED THE FLUID BUT THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003330 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010166 · 2003-03-08 (March 8, 2003)
WATER PUMP LEAKS RADIATOR COOLANT. THIS HAS LED TO ENGINE-OVERHEATING AND MAY CAUSE SEVERE ENGINE FAILURE (A SAFETY ISSUE). ON CHECKING WITH DEALER, THE ESTIMATED REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF WATER PUMP MAY COST AROUND $750. THIS IS AN UNUSUALLY HIGH COST FOR WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT. WITH THE CAR BEING A 96 MODEL HAVING ONLY A MILEAGE OF ABOUT 50 K, THIS KIND OF WATER PUMP FAILURE IS PROBABLY UNSEEN ON MOST OTHER CAR MODELS. THEREFORE, IT IS SUGGESTED TO THE MANUFACTURER TO INVESTIGATE INTO POSSIBLE DESIGN DEFECTS OF THE WATER PUMP. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019401 · 2003-05-07 (May 7, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING A LITTLE ROUGH. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS WERE LOOSE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $2300.00 TO REPAIR. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019401 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026345 · 2003-10-15 (October 15, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONSUMER CRASHED THE VEHICLE AND BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AFFECTS FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED 60% LOSS OF HEARING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026345 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038173 · 2003-09-04 (September 4, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042250 · 2003-10-03 (October 3, 2003)
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE MAIN ENGINE COMPARTMENT PER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042250 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056867 · 2004-02-09 (February 9, 2004)
1996 NISSAN MAXIMA, LOW MILEAGE (50,000) FAILED NC STATE INSPECTION DUE TO FAILURE OF BOTH CV JOINT BOOTS. IF THE BOOTS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE AXLES WILL FAIL - CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER OR SUDDEN LOCKUP ON 1 OR BOTH FRONT WHEELS.
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059175 · 2004-02-17 (February 17, 2004)
ON TWO OCCASIONS HOOD LATCH SNAPPED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURES TO THE CONSUMER WHILE MAKING REPAIRS UNDER THE HOOD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059175 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.