CarModelProblems.com

2016 Nissan Maxima Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train — runs 2.7× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
142Complaints
8Recalls
10Crashes
4Fires
12Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train (23.2% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Power Train complaints here are 2.7× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train33 · 23.2%not available
Electrical System28 · 19.7%not available
Service Brakes20 · 14.1%RecalledRecall 18V601000 · Recall 16V636000 · Recall 16V193000 · Recall 15V733000 · Recall 19V807000
Engine18 · 12.7%not available
Air Bags13 · 9.2%RecalledRecall 16V911000 · Recall 16V244000
Vehicle Speed Control13 · 9.2%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN33 · 23.2%
Unspecified / other27 · 19%
SERVICE BRAKES20 · 14.1%
ENGINE18 · 12.7%
AIR BAGS13 · 9.2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL13 · 9.2%
STEERING9 · 6.3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8 · 5.6%
STRUCTURE:BODY8 · 5.6%

Percentages are the share of the 142 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 8 campaigns

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

NHTSA campaign 18V601000 · 2018 · reported 09/07/2018

A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · Park outside  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

NHTSA campaign 16V911000 · 2016 · reported 12/19/2016

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

NHTSA campaign 16V636000 · 2016 · reported 09/02/2016

A brake fluid leak onto the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

NHTSA campaign 16V193000 · 2016 · reported 04/07/2016

Insufficient brake fluid pressure may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper

NHTSA campaign 15V733000 · 2015 · reported 11/05/2015

If the bolts were not properly tightened, the caliper may detach and reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 15V486000 · 2015 · reported 08/04/2015

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

NHTSA campaign 16V244000 · 2016 · reported 04/26/2016

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

NHTSA campaign 19V807000 · 2019 · reported 11/08/2019

A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · Park outside  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

What owners report

“Vehicle has acceleration issues. Started June 2022 and has continued frequently since. Will randomly stop accelerating then if I try to let off the gas…”NHTSA complaint 11502950 — filed 01/21/2023 · POWER TRAIN
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned etc. -The Nissan CVT transmission that is used in all Nissan models and has a known history of…”NHTSA complaint 11483414 — filed 09/08/2022 · POWER TRAIN
“Problem 1. Airbag. Driver's side airbag prematurely failed in 2021. Dealer says requires replacement of driver's seat back at $5K Problem 2. Transmission failed prematurely…”NHTSA complaint 11468911 — filed 06/12/2022 · POWER TRAIN

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

8201515201625201715201816201926202037202116202224202318202422202522026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Nissan Maxima?

Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 33 of 142 NHTSA complaints (23.2%), followed by electrical system (28), unspecified/other issues (27), service brakes (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2016 Nissan Maxima have?

142 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 10 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 12 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2016 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?

Yes — 8 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V601000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2016 Nissan Maxima's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.