2016 Nissan Maxima: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Nissan Maxima: 8 recalls, 142 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
Recalls
8 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #15V486000 · 2015 · 46,846 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #15V733000 · 2015 · 119 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the bolts were not properly tightened, the caliper May detach and reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #16V193000 · 2016 · 12,616 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Insufficient brake fluid pressure May lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V244000 · 2016 · 3,296,947 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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,…
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #16V636000 · 2016 · 120,329 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: A brake fluid leak onto the circuit board May result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V911000 · 2016 · 757 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the ocs software free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #18V601000 · 2018 · 215,124 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board May result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #19V807000 · 2019 · 391,479 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board May result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 12 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (33): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (14), hard / delayed shifting (12).
- Electrical (31): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (12), electrical failure (12).
- Other / unknown (27): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (5), fire / smoke (3), warning light on (2).
- Brakes (20): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2016 Nissan Maxima has 142 owner complaints, ranking #12 of 34 Maxima model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 191). Complaints peaked in 2017 (19 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 40,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (1 complaints, 0 recalls), 2017 (104 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Nissan Maxima.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Nissan Maxima. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Nissan Maxima problems?
Owners have filed 142 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (33), electrical (31), other / unknown (27).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Nissan Maxima get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic (AV-S7)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Nissan Maxima repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.