IllustrationWHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON INTERSTATE 10 HATING WEST TOWARDS TEXAS ON VACATION THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. I FEEL THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE THAT TEMPERED GLASS IS BEING USED FOR A SUNROOF ABOVE A DRIVER AND NOT LAMINATED GLASS.
2016 Nissan Maxima
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Nissan Maxima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 99.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Maxima years →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
300–25K
1325–50K
1350–75K
975–100K
7100–150K
1150K+
73 reports with mileage · 69 unknown
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.
- Power Train. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports4 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
142 reportsIN LATE NOVEMBER 2016 THE ABS AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS ON MY 2016 NISSAN MAXIMA BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY APPEARING ON THE DASHBOARD. I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO MENTION IT DURING THE NEXT SERVICE APPOINTMENT WHICH WAS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 27. AT THE APPOINTMENT I WAS NOTIFIED OF SEVERAL RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE WAS …
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IN LATE NOVEMBER 2016 THE ABS AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS ON MY 2016 NISSAN MAXIMA BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY APPEARING ON THE DASHBOARD. I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO MENTION IT DURING THE NEXT SERVICE APPOINTMENT WHICH WAS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 27. AT THE APPOINTMENT I WAS NOTIFIED OF SEVERAL RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE WAS KEPT OVERNIGHT. WHEN I PICKED IT UP THE NEXT DAY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. I WAS ALSO NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON AN ABS BRAKE ACTUATOR PUMP HOWEVER THE PART WAS BACK ORDERED FROM NISSAN. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ASKED ME AND TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE DASH IF THE INDICATOR LIGHTS APPEARED AGAIN. APPROXIMATELY 1 WEEK LATER THE LIGHTS REAPPEARED AND I TOOK THE ATTACHED PHOTO. I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INDICATED THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT WHEN THE RECALL PART WAS INSTALLED AND WOULD SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT ONCE THE PART ARRIVED. ON JANUARY 19, 2017 THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AFTER SITTING FOR OVER 2 HOURS AND BURNED TO A TOTAL LOSS. AT NO TIME WAS I NOTIFIED THAT THE RECALL WAS A FIRE HAZARD. SINCE THE INCIDENT I HAVE FILED A CASE WITH NISSAN HOWEVER THEY HAVE TAKEN OVER A MONTH TO RESPOND AND BY THE TIME THEY INSPECT THE VEHICLE IT WILL BE OVER 45 DAYS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND ALL INDICATORS POINT TO A DEFECTIVE PART.
2016 NISSAN MAXIMA BREAKS SQUEAK ON EVERY STOP. DEALER, HEARS THE NOISE, CLAIMS RESURFACED ROTORS, SANDED BREAK PADS HOWEVER THE NOISE PERSISTS. CONCERN OVER THE RELIABILITY OF THE BREAKING SYSTEM. HAD DEALER LOOK AT THE BREAKS 5 SEPARATE APPOINTMENTS. THEY NOW SAY THE NOISE IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PADS AND I HAVE TO LIVE WITH I…
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2016 NISSAN MAXIMA BREAKS SQUEAK ON EVERY STOP. DEALER, HEARS THE NOISE, CLAIMS RESURFACED ROTORS, SANDED BREAK PADS HOWEVER THE NOISE PERSISTS. CONCERN OVER THE RELIABILITY OF THE BREAKING SYSTEM. HAD DEALER LOOK AT THE BREAKS 5 SEPARATE APPOINTMENTS. THEY NOW SAY THE NOISE IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PADS AND I HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. MY CONCERN IS THERE MAY BE A DEEPER ISSUE THAT THEY ARE NOT ADDRESSING. I COMMUTE 100 MILES DAILY ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I AM EXPRESSING THIS CONCERN FOR SOMEONE TO LOOK INTO THE SAFETY OF THIS ISSUE. NEW CAR BREAKS JUST DON'T SQUEAL ON EACH BREAKING ACTION. PLEASE REVIEW AND ADVISE ME OF ANY AVENUE THAT I CAN USE TO GET THIS ADDRESSED AS WELL AS TAKE MY COMMENTS TO ADDRESS OTHERS WITH THE SAME CONCERN. THANK YOU.
DRIVER SEAT "ROCKS" UNDER HARD BRAKING OR LEANING INTO THE SEAT.
WATER VAPOR OR FOG DEVELOPS IN THE HEADLIGHTS WHICH HAVE CAUSE A HAZE ON THE INTERIOR OF THE HEADLAMPS.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A USE CAR DEALER ON 01/31/2017. ON 02/08/2017 MY DAUGHTER TOLD ME TO GO ON LAINEY AND ENTER MY VIN NUMBER BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY 2016 NISSAN MAXIMA SR. I CALLED LYNCH NISSAN AND TOLD THEM I HAD PURCHASED A CAR WITH RECALL ON IT WITH A FIRE HAZARD AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN ON MONDAY, 02/12/2…
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I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A USE CAR DEALER ON 01/31/2017. ON 02/08/2017 MY DAUGHTER TOLD ME TO GO ON LAINEY AND ENTER MY VIN NUMBER BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY 2016 NISSAN MAXIMA SR. I CALLED LYNCH NISSAN AND TOLD THEM I HAD PURCHASED A CAR WITH RECALL ON IT WITH A FIRE HAZARD AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN ON MONDAY, 02/12/2017. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE REPAIR AND THEY CALLED ME ON WEDNESDAY, 02/14/2017 TO PICKUP MY CAR. BECAUSE I WAS AT WORK, I ASKED IF I COULD PICK UP THE CAR THE NEXT DAY. I WAS TOLD NO BECAUSE THEY HAD PROVIDED ME A RENTAL CAR AND I HAD TO RETURN IT ON THE DAY THE WORK WAS COMPLETED. ONCE I RETURNED THE RENTAL CAR, I WAS TOLD THE RENTAL CAR WAS FINE. WHEN I WENT TO THE SERVICE CENTER I WAS ASKED TO SIGN A PAPER BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO MAIL ME THE PAPERS STATING WHAT WAS DONE TO MY CAR. I HAVE NEVER BEEN ASKED TO SIGNED SOMETHING AND THEN TOLD THEY CAN'T PROVIDE ME A COPY. BECAUSE THIS CAR WAS SOLD TO ME WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE OF IT HAVING A FIRE HAZARD, I CALLED NISSAN (NESSIE) AND ASKED THEM TO BUY THE CAR BACK AND THEY REFUSED. NISSAN IS NOW SAYING EVERYTHING HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BUT I HAVE NO DOCUMENTATION OF WHAT THEY ASKED ME TO SIGN NOR WHAT TYPE OF WORK WAS PERFORMED ON MY CAR. BECAUSE I HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS RECALL BEFORE I PURCHASE THIS CAR AND NOT HAVING A COPY OF WHAT NISSAN ASKED ME TO SIGN, I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THE FIRE HAZARD.
WAS DRIVING EAST ON 495 MARYLAND ABOUT 55 MPH. APPROACHING ANOTHER CAR AND PRESSED THE BREAKS TO STOP. MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP. PRESSED THE BREAKS AS HARD AS I COULD AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I CAUSED A THREE CAR ACCIDENT. MY CAR WAS TOTALLED....UPDATED 03/29/17 *BF *CN
TAKATA RECALL.I BROUGHT MY 2016 MAXIMA IN JUNE 2015. PLASTIC BOTTLES MELTS AND EXPLODES IN MY CAR. AND EYE GLASS CLASS MELTS. FRONT RIGHT BUMBER CLAMPS BROKE OFF. MONTHS LATER CAT STARTED MAKING A CHRUCHING SOUND WHEN I HIT A BUMP. REPLACE BUSHINGS. 3 DAYS LATER THE NOSE CAME BACK. WENT BACK TO NISSAN THEY SAID THE STRUT N…
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TAKATA RECALL.I BROUGHT MY 2016 MAXIMA IN JUNE 2015. PLASTIC BOTTLES MELTS AND EXPLODES IN MY CAR. AND EYE GLASS CLASS MELTS. FRONT RIGHT BUMBER CLAMPS BROKE OFF. MONTHS LATER CAT STARTED MAKING A CHRUCHING SOUND WHEN I HIT A BUMP. REPLACE BUSHINGS. 3 DAYS LATER THE NOSE CAME BACK. WENT BACK TO NISSAN THEY SAID THE STRUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. WENT BACK 2 MONTHS LATER THE PART IS STILL ON BACK ORDER. FRONT DRIVER SEAT BROKE IN THE 1ST 2 WEEKS OF OWNING IT. GOT A NEW SEAT. AND THE DOOR JAMS WAS POORLY PAINTED. TOOK ALMOST 7 WEEKS TO GET A NEW SEAT AND PAINT FOR THE CAR. DRIVER SEAT BEAT LATCH JAMMED UP HAD TO GET THAT REPLACE TOO.
FRONT BUMPER CLIP BROKEN CAR STALLS WHEN DRIVING UP AN INCLINE AT LOW SPEEDS. CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN DRIVING. ALIGNMENT WAS CHECKED, BUT WAS FINE ACCORDING TO A NISSAN DEALER TECHNICIAN. THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO MOMENTARILY LOCK WHEN MAKING A SWIFT AND SHARP LEFT TURN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 462. UPDATED 10/28/16*LJ *TR
Official recalls
819V807000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Nov 8, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
18V601000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Sep 7, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
16V911000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Dec 19, 2016
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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
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.
16V636000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Sep 2, 2016
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A brake fluid leak onto 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 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.
16V244000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Apr 26, 2016
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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
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.
16V193000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Apr 7, 2016
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Insufficient brake fluid pressure may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
15V733000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
Nov 5, 2015
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the bolts were not properly tightened, the caliper may detach and reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
15V486000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Aug 4, 2015
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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
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.
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
1EA19002 · Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
Opened Jul 29, 2019 · Closed Jun 16, 2025
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:rear
On July 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened EA19002 to investigate instances of alleged rear lower control arm failures in 2013-2018 Nissan Altima and 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima vehicles. At the time the investigation was opened ODI had 91 consumer complaints alleging rear lower control arm failures in the subject vehicles.ODI was concerned about these complaints because many of them alleged an increased steering effort or loss of vehicle control.At the time these complaints were received, ODI was also aware of a proactive service campaign addressing 2013 Nissan Altima in salt-belt states for a similar concern. Since opening the investigation, ODI has confirmed, based on consumer complaints, warranty data, and testing conducted by Nissan and ODI, that owners of the subject vehicles are experiencing a corroded bushing at one of three mounting points of the control arm to the rear subframe.ODI has also confirmed that drivers become aware of the problem because of sound and abnormal vibrations. In addition, the failure mileage is typically over 113,000 miles at the time of failure.In conjunction with Nissan and VRTC, ODI participated in testing to assess the potential safety consequence of a bushing failure.It was found the Vehicle Dynamic Control system allows the driver to maintain vehicle control in the event of a bushing failure.With between 7 to 13 years of field exposure, ODI is aware of only one low speed crash allegation describing minor contact with another vehicle’s trailer hitch. Nissan acknowledges that a crack can develop in affected control arms due to stress loading from normal use and that salts commonly used for roadway snow and ice treatment may result in corrosion that exacerbates the progression of the crack.Nissan implemented a design change in January of 2018 to improve the durability of the lower control arm.Affected vehicles have either been repaired with the countermeasure part under a customer satisfaction campaign or been provided a warranty extension from 3 years/36,000 miles to 10 year/unlimited mileage. Through testing and analysis of the information obtained to date, ODI has not identified a defect representing an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety involving corrosion of the subject rear lower control arm at this time.With a declining trend of reports and Nissan’s actions to implement a countermeasure and extended warranty coverage, further investigation of the issue does not appear to be warranted at this time.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov. A detailed discussion of the investigation and related complaint numbers can be viewed in the attached closing report.