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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Nissan Maxima Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2016 Nissan Maxima has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 142 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Nissan dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Nissan Maxima, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2016 Nissan Maxima owner complaints

Owners have filed 142 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Nissan Maxima, describing incidents dated January 1, 2015 to May 3, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Power Train 33 complaints
  • Electrical System 31 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 27 complaints
  • Service Brakes 21 complaints
  • Engine 20 complaints
  • Air Bags 14 complaints

Of the 142 complaints on file, 10 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 142 complaints, owners report 12 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11746819 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11723652 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11704034 · Filed

    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…

Read all 142 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2016 Nissan Maxima in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Brake Fluid Can Leak Into ABS Pump and Ignite

NHTSA #19V807000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · NHTSA notice

Reported November 8, 2019 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 391,479 vehicles

Repair completion: 62.97% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified December 16, 2019 · Vehicles built February 10, 2015 – May 22, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Park outside only — fire risk while parked indoors or near structures.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Brake Fluid may Leak into ABS Pump and Ignite

NHTSA #18V601000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · NHTSA notice

Reported September 7, 2018 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 215,124 vehicles

Repair completion: 80.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified October 29, 2018 · Vehicles built February 10, 2015 – January 5, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Park outside only — fire risk while parked indoors or near structures.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Air Bag May Not Deploy Due to Software Issue

NHTSA #16V911000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification · NHTSA notice

Reported December 19, 2016 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 757 vehicles

Repair completion: 49.8% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified February 13, 2017 · Vehicles built June 4, 2015 – August 19, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Brake Fluid may Leak into ABS Pump and Ignite

NHTSA #16V636000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · NHTSA notice

Reported September 2, 2016 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 120,329 vehicles

Repair completion: 90% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified December 12, 2016 · Vehicles built February 10, 2015 – August 19, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Air Bag may not Deploy due to OCS Error

NHTSA #16V244000 · Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification · NHTSA notice

Reported April 26, 2016 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 3,296,947 vehicles

Repair completion: 77.11% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified June 10, 2016 · Vehicles built February 10, 2015 – April 7, 2016 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

ABS Brake Actuator may have a Damaged O-Ring

NHTSA #16V193000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · NHTSA notice

Reported April 7, 2016 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 12,616 vehicles

Repair completion: 77.95% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified May 16, 2016 · Vehicles built November 25, 2015 – February 12, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Front Brake Caliper Mounting Bolts may be Loose

NHTSA #15V733000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc — Caliper · NHTSA notice

Reported November 5, 2015 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 119 vehicles

Repair completion: 88.24% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified December 14, 2015 · Vehicles built October 6, 2015 – October 7, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Sending Unit may Leak Fuel

NHTSA #15V486000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported August 4, 2015 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 46,846 vehicles

Repair completion: 84.53% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified September 28, 2015 · Vehicles built February 10, 2015 – August 18, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Nissan Maxima model years

Check your 2016 Nissan Maxima VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Nissan Maxima at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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