2016 Nissan Maxima Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Nissan Maxima ranks 5th worst out of 19 model years, with a complaint index of 78 and 142 NHTSA complaints tied largely to electrical, brake, and airbag failures. It carries 8 recall campaigns, mostly for ABS actuator and brake issues, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Maxima years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 78/100
- #5 of 19 Maxima years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 142
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- 2 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
Top 2016 Nissan Maxima problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System36 (25%)
- Engine34 (24%)
- Transmission & Powertrain33 (23%)
- Other27 (19%)
- Brakes25 (18%)
- Airbags14 (10%)
- Structure & Body11 (8%)
- Fuel System10 (7%)
- Steering9 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report the ABS actuator leaking brake fluid onto a circuit board, causing electrical fires and, in one case, the vehicle starting itself while on fire.
- Owners describe pressing the brake pedal hard during panic stops and having the car fail to slow down, leading to multi-car collisions.
- Several drivers report airbags failing to deploy during frontal or side collisions, including impacts with a concrete barrier, a guardrail, a tree, and another vehicle.
- Owners report dashboard warning lights, including ABS lights, appearing intermittently before more serious electrical failures developed.
- One owner reported the vehicle shutting off suddenly while driving in the rain, causing loss of control and a crash into a guard rail, with doors that would not open afterward.
- Another owner described the car losing power intermittently on the highway with no warning, sometimes failing to restart for half an hour.
2016 Nissan Maxima recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V807000Nov 8, 2019Brakes391,479 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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.
Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
- NHTSA 18V601000Sep 7, 2018Brakes215,124 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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.
Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
- NHTSA 16V911000Dec 19, 2016Airbags757 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
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.
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.
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.
2016 Nissan Maxima fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Nissan Maxima reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Maxima ranks 5th worst out of 19 model years with a complaint index of 78, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Maxima years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Nissan Maxima?
- NHTSA data shows the top problem areas are the electrical system (36 complaints, 25%), engine (34 complaints, 24%), and transmission and powertrain (33 complaints, 23%).
- Does the 2016 Nissan Maxima have a brake recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists multiple brake-related recalls for the 2016 Maxima, including ABS actuator replacements and inspections under campaigns 19V807000, 18V601000, 16V636000, and 16V193000, plus a brake caliper mounting bolt recall (15V733000).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Nissan Maxima have?
- NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2016 Maxima, covering brakes, airbags, and the fuel system, with none classified as do-not-drive.
- How does the 2016 Maxima compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 78, the 2016 Maxima ranks worse than most other Maxima years; only 2005, 2006, and 2009 score higher, while years like 2019 and 2022 earn a Best verdict.