CSR

Nissan · NHTSA safety record

2016 Nissan Maxima

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

142

Complaints

10

Crashes

4

Fires

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2016 Nissan Maxima have filed 142 safety complaints with NHTSA between October 2015 and June 2026. The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 33 of them (23%). The typical failure was reported at 40,000 miles, the median across the 73 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 8 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (8)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

19V807000 · November 8, 2019

Park outside until repaired

The defect
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.
The risk
A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
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.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 391,479 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

18V601000 · September 7, 2018

Park outside until repaired

The defect
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.
The risk
A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
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.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 215,124 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

16V911000 · December 19, 2016

The defect
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.
The 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.
The remedy
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.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 757 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

16V636000 · September 2, 2016

The defect
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.
The risk
A brake fluid leak onto the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
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.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 120,329 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

16V244000 · April 26, 2016

The defect
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.
The 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.
The remedy
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 service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 3,296,947 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

16V193000 · April 7, 2016

The defect
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.
The risk
Insufficient brake fluid pressure may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 12,616 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

15V733000 · November 5, 2015

The defect
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.
The risk
If the bolts were not properly tightened, the caliper may detach and reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 119 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

15V486000 · August 4, 2015

The defect
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.
The 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.
The remedy
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.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 46,846 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure

EA19002

Closed engineering analysis · opened July 29, 2019 · closed June 16, 2025

the suspension

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 consumer complaints, warranty data, and testing conducted by Nissan and ODI, that owners of the subject vehicles are experiencing a corroded bushing at one of three mounting points of the control arm to the rear subframe.ODI has also confirmed that drivers become aware of the problem because of sound and abnormal vibrations. In addition, the failure mileage is typically over 113,000 miles at the time of failure.In conjunction with Nissan and VRTC, ODI participated in testing to assess the potential safety consequence of a bushing failure.It was found the Vehicle Dynamic Control system allows the driver to maintain vehicle control in the event of a bushing failure.With between 7 to 13 years of field exposure, ODI is aware of only one low speed crash allegation describing minor contact with another vehicle’s trailer hitch. Nissan acknowledges that a crack can develop in affected control arms due to stress loading from normal use and that salts commonly used for roadway snow and ice treatment may result in corrosion that exacerbates the progression of the crack.Nissan implemented a design change in January of 2018 to improve the durability of the lower control arm.Affected vehicles have either been repaired with the countermeasure part under a customer satisfaction campaign or been provided a warranty extension from 3 years/36,000 miles to 10 year/unlimited mileage. Through testing and analysis of the information obtained to date, ODI has not identified a defect representing an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety involving corrosion of the subject rear lower control arm at this time.With a declining trend of reports and Nissan’s actions to implement a countermeasure and extended warranty coverage, further investigation of the issue does not appear to be warranted at this time.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov. A detailed discussion of the investigation and related complaint numbers can be viewed in the attached closing report.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 142.

POWER TRAIN 33 23%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 31 22%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 27 19%
SERVICE BRAKES 20 14%
ENGINE 18 13%
AIR BAGS 14 10%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 14 10%
STEERING 9 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8 6%
STRUCTURE 8 6%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7 5%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 5 4%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 19.

2015 2017 2026
2015 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

4 injured · crash · towed · 23,862 miles

TL* 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 SHOULDER, BACK, AND KNEE INJURIES. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR BODY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER:

NHTSA complaint 11156545, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed · 4,300 miles

I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM THE HIGHWAY ON TO A SIDE STREET & WAS T-BONED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY A SUV. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT IMPLORE.

NHTSA complaint 11030819. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 25,000 miles

TL* 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 WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE; HOWEVER, IT HAD NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED WHETHER IT WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR BRUISING AND BACK PAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

NHTSA complaint 10984253. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 16,000 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 10818919. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car has been diagnosed with a CVT transmission problem which the mechanic stated was hard to diagnose. The car sometimes slow down to only 30 miles or less being unpredictable when driving and could cause an accident in a busy street or highway as the problem comes at unpredictable times. The car is close to 61000 miles and a car with this mileage should not have a transmission problem. According to the independent mechanic who inspected the car it might be a problem related to the design of the transmission. I had several incidents when the car really slows down and this has the potential to cause a fatality. This car had episodes of loss of acceleration, power loss and unpredictable

NHTSA complaint 11746819, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I took my vehicle yesterday to Monroe Nissan to check on hvac job done last May 2025 as ac was blowing hot air again I was told the ac compressor needs replacement along with that they recommended transmission replacement at a cost of 8000 plus. My Nissan is out of warranty but it only has 20000 miles. It didn’t even reach the recommended 30000 CVTs fluid change yet but already they notice the first code of CVT failure and the second one can appear soon too. I’ve seen many complaints about Nissan cvt issues while my car has yet to give me any dashboard notification I’m very concerned how this can happen at such a low mileage. Monroe Nissan said is because of not using the car frequently but

NHTSA complaint 11723652, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
The 2016 Nissan Maxima (VIN: [XXX] ) I purchased in January 2025 has been confirmed by a certified mechanic to have no driver airbag installed and no passenger side curtain airbag installed, despite a previous airbag deployment shown on the vehicle history report. There is no record of any airbag replacement or repair. The vehicle was sold to me in this unsafe condition without disclosure. Driving the vehicle presents a serious safety risk because no airbags will deploy in a collision. Nissan and the selling dealer did not repair or disclose this federally required safety equipment failure (49 U.S.C. §30122). Safety Risk: This defect puts me at severe risk of injury or death in a crash. The

NHTSA complaint 11704034, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

towed · 100,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly. The vehicle was shifted into neutral, and the RPMs revved up. The vehicle failed to move forward and shut off unintendedly. Several hours later, the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was shaking abnormally while driving, with an unknown warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle was shaking abnormally while the brake pedal was depressed. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to Auto Zone, where it was determined that the failure was a CVT failure. The contact called the local dealer, and a diagnostic test was advised. The

NHTSA complaint 11679050, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire

There was a thermal combustion that caused a fire. Yes, the caught combusted at a local business. I had just entered the building and was told that my car was on fire. The police and Nissan inspected the car but refused to provide the inspection report. A light came on. I do not know the exact date that it appeared. I just received the recall notice and did not have the opportunity to get the car repaired.

NHTSA complaint 11673095. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My vehicle has experienced recurring failures where it will suddenly stop accelerating while driving, placing me in a dangerous situation. The engine remains on, but the car will only coast forward or backward with no throttle response. This has happened multiple times, and I have had to pull over for safety. Restarting the car occasionally works temporarily, but the issue returns within minutes. I understand that Nissan has previously extended warranty coverage for CVT issues in similar models

NHTSA complaint 11672749. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Nissan Maxima

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2020 21 1
2019 18 1
2018 36 2
2017 103 4
2014 95 0
2013 62 0
2012 107 0
2011 106 0
2010 275 1

Other 2016 Nissan models

Every Nissan on this site — 200 vehicles, 319 recall campaigns and 5 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst