KnownCarProblems2016 Nissan Maxima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 142 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Nissan Maxima, most often about the transmission (23% of complaints, typically around 62,500 miles). It is 10th of 24 Maxima model years by number of complaints and has 8 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory2 recalls for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2016 Nissan Maxima problems
Transmission
33 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles.
I purchased a 2016 Nissan Maxima at 57,000. The vehicle had undergone proper servicing and was in great shape. At 62,000 miles the transmission failed and the car would not drive. While heading home from work I felt my entire vehicle begin to shake. The vehicle would not accelerate when I stepped on the gas and there…
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet…
Electrical
31 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator, instrument panel.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH in the rain, the vehicle suddenly shut off causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a guard rail. Additionally, after the crash the 4 doors were unable to be opened from the inside or outside of…
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet…
Other or unspecified
27 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles.
So I have had my Nissan for a year now and I have never hit anyone and no one has ever hit me. So as I was driving home from work my mirror on the passenger side, the one outside, just came off and went flying.
Cruise control drops out while engaged under all road/weather conditions. Dashboard indication "front radar unavailable due to obstruction" seems well documented online for several other Nissan vehicles. System will reset itself after several minutes, but also drops out and is non-functional intermitently, essentially…
Brakes
21 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 16,000 miles.
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…
I experienced a loss of brake pressure when starting my car and was able to stop the car only from a low speed. The car was towed to the closest dealer, martin Nissan in skokie il. The dealer reported a fluid leak and that the master cylinder had failed. The dealer replaced the master cylinder but still observed that…
Engine
20 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 49,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH in the rain, the vehicle suddenly shut off causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a guard rail. Additionally, after the crash the 4 doors were unable to be opened from the inside or outside of…
Car idling, jerking and hesitating at 30mph. When accelerating it does not. The car is going but from a slow speed going to a higher MPH, it will stay stuck and if you floor it, it just won't move. This is dangerous. It's happened on the freeway three times. Now the brake fluid is leaking everywhere. This is a second…
Air bags
14 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 24,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact crashed into another vehicle. As a result, the front driver side wheel was bent inward and the air bag failed to deploy. The driver sustained shoulder and back injuries that required medical attention. The front passenger sustained…
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. There…
Speed control
14 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet…
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would sporadically decelerate without warning. The vehicle was taken to an unknown Nissan dealer, but no failure was found. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 42,079.
Fuel system
10 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 4,500 miles.
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…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Nissan Maxima recalls
Brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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 drive the vehicle.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: occupant classification
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: occupant classification
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 parts become available. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, infiniti customer ser
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: caliper
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
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.
Full defect summary
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 the fuel tank.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Rear suspension control arm failure
Summary
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
Questions about the 2016 Nissan Maxima
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Nissan Maxima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (33 complaints, typically around 62,500 miles); electrical (31 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles); other or unspecified (27 complaints, typically around 38,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Nissan Maxima have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 8, 2019 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Nissan Maxima?
- It is 10th of 24 Maxima model years by number of complaints, with 142 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.