NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The Anti-lock Brake System actuator pump may leak brake fluid onto an internal circuit board.
This page covers 10 recalls, 141 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 Nissan Maxima.
25 mpg combined
9.4 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2016 Maxima centers on the powertrain. Owners frequently describe sudden loss of acceleration while driving at highway speeds, the engine stays running but the car stops responding to the throttle and coasts without power. Several owners report the vehicle shuts off unexpectedly, and restarting sometimes restores function briefly before the problem returns. Rough running and shaking while driving come up alongside these episodes. Airbag complaints are the second most-reported area, with owners raising concerns about prior undisclosed airbag deployments or replacements when purchasing used examples. Electrical system complaints round out the top three, though the specifics vary. The loss-of-acceleration pattern is the most consistent thread across multiple reports, with owners describing it as a repeating issue rather than a one-time event.
141
Total Complaints
10
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Nissan Maxima has 10 recalls, the most serious being multiple fire risks: fuel can leak from a misseated O-ring at the fuel tank, and brake fluid can leak onto the anti-lock brake system's internal circuit board and cause an electrical short.
The brake system accounts for several recalls. Loose front brake caliper mounting bolts on certain vehicles can allow the caliper to detach and sharply reduce braking ability. A separate issue with the anti-lock brake actuator can delay pressure control when the system activates, causing the vehicle to lose stability, and another actuator defect can reduce brake fluid pressure and extend stopping distances. Prior repair attempts under an earlier campaign did not fully resolve the circuit board fire risk for all affected vehicles, which is why additional brake-related recalls cover overlapping populations.
Two recalls address the front passenger airbag system. The passenger seat sensor that determines whether a front passenger is an adult or child can misread the occupant, causing the airbag to deploy incorrectly or fail to deploy in a crash, raising the risk of injury to that passenger.
At a glance
What can fail
The Anti-lock Brake System actuator pump may leak brake fluid onto an internal circuit board.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the ABS actuator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The anti-lock brake actuator pump may leak brake fluid onto an internal circuit board, causing the ABS system to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the actuator serial number and replace the actuator if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat may have an incorrect computer control unit installed that causes the system to misclassify whether someone is sitting in that seat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the control unit and update the seat's software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ABS actuator pump may leak brake fluid onto an internal electrical circuit board, causing the ABS system to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the ABS actuator as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat's occupant detection system may incorrectly identify an adult as a child or miss an occupied seat. This can cause the passenger airbag to stay off during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram or replace the occupant detection and airbag control units to ensure proper airbag operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The antilock braking system actuator may have a damaged O-ring, which can cause brake fluid pressure to be lost.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ABS actuator and replace it if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Anti-Lock Braking System actuator may be defective, causing delayed pressure control when anti-lock brakes activate. This can reduce vehicle stability and increase crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ABS actuator and replace it if defective.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front brake caliper mounting bolts may not be properly tightened, which could allow the caliper to move or separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the brake caliper mounting bolts and tighten them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An o-ring in the fuel sending unit may not be properly seated, allowing fuel to leak from the fuel tank during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and fuel sending unit to secure the o-ring.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The O-ring between the fuel sending unit and fuel tank may not be seated correctly, potentially causing a fuel leak during a crash and increasing fire risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a revised fuel sending unit locking ring to secure the O-ring properly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
