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1986 Nissan Maxima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1986 Nissan Maxima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 99.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 60 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports36 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

60 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 1997
Fuel System, Gasoline

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (95I006000) & MADE APPT. TOOK VEHICLE IN. WORK WAS DONE. VEHILCE FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. TOOK IT BACK. INFORMED ANOTHER PART IS NEEDED THAT'S NOT ON RECALL & OWNER WOULD HAVE TO PAY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #815525

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 1997
Electrical SystemFire

TURNED ON THE IGNITION AND FLAMES SHOT OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #800034

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 1997
Fuel System, Gasoline

OWNER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR HIS FUEL INJECTORS AND WAS TOLD THAT PARTS WERE NOT GOING TO BE AVAILABE FOR 6 MONTHS. RECALL NO.951006000. *AK

NHTSA ODI #809474

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 1997
Fuel System, Gasoline

DEALER SAYS NO PARTS AVAILABLE, IT WOULD BE A FEW MONTHS BEFORE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #808452

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 1997
Fuel System, GasolineFire

FUEL INJECTOR LEAK CAUSED VEHICLE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #513865

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 1996
Fuel System, Gasoline

AFTER HAVING THE FUEL INJECTION SERVICE CAMPAIGN REPAIR WORK DONE, THE VEHICLE IS SMOKING AND SOMETIMES IS HARD TO START. *AK

NHTSA ODI #805306

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1996
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFire

PARKED ALL DAY; DROVE LESS THAN TWO MILES, WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK FIRE WAS CAUSED DUE TO A FUEL LEAK, RECALL 95I006 DESCRIBES PROBLEMS CONSUMER EXPERIENCED. ENGINE BELTS REPLACED. STRUT FAILURE CAUSED NOISE WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS. SPARK PLUGS REPLACED. FR…

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PARKED ALL DAY; DROVE LESS THAN TWO MILES, WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK FIRE WAS CAUSED DUE TO A FUEL LEAK, RECALL 95I006 DESCRIBES PROBLEMS CONSUMER EXPERIENCED. ENGINE BELTS REPLACED. STRUT FAILURE CAUSED NOISE WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS. SPARK PLUGS REPLACED. FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS REPLACED, ROTORS TURNED. POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #804868

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 1996
Fuel System, GasolineFire

WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE ENGINE DUE TO FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURE RECEIVED RECALL LETTER 95I006000. PEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

NHTSA ODI #804619

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 1996
Fuel System, GasolineFireInjury

FUEL INJECTOR FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #511112

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD CONSUMER BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE THEN SAW BLACK SMOKE COMING UP THROUGH THE DASH, AFTER GETTING OUT AND OPENING HOOD THE FLAMES TOOK OVER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #804536

Official recalls

1

86V096000 · Visibility:windshield

Jul 16, 1986

THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT THICKNESS OF ADHESIVE IN THE CONTACT AREA BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS AND THE BODY. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS LACK OF ADHESIVE MAY CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD TO DISMOUNT IN AN ACCIDENT, THUS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 212, WINDSHIELD MOUNTING AND WHICH MAY ALLOW THE OCCUPANTS TO BE EJECTED OUT OF THE CAR, CAUSING MORE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: ADD MORE ADHESIVE TO BOTTOM OF FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA94018 · Fuel Injector Assembly Leakage

Opened Jun 23, 1994 · Closed Nov 8, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.SERVICE CAMPAIGN 95I-006.

PE94018 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Feb 22, 1994 · Closed Jun 23, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available