Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1996 Nissan Maxima
NHTSA data on file today
The 1996 Nissan Maxima has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 96 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08E050000 FMVSS 108/HEADLAMPS/MISSING AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E049000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 17 complaints
- Air Bags 16 complaints
- Power Train 12 complaints
- Electrical System 8 complaints
- Steering 7 complaints
- Suspension 7 complaints
Of the 96 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 96 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $3,500–$6,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1996 Nissan Maxima shows an imbalance of strengths and weaknesses, with aftermarket headlamp recalls and moderate frequencies of key component failures. Common issues with engine cooling systems and airbags contribute to its average reliability rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine cooling | 100,000–150,000 miles | $400–$800 | common |
| airbags | 80,000–120,000 miles | $500–$900 | common |
| power train | 120,000–180,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | occasional |
| electrical system | 90,000–130,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
| suspension | 110,000–160,000 miles | $300–$700 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake inspections and replacements
- Transmission fluid service
- Coolant system flush
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Spark plug replacements
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Check engine light presence
- Unusual airbag deployment alerts
- Transmission slipping or rough shifts
- Inconsistent power steering feel
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1996 Nissan Maxima at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.