Model year record

1996 Nissan Maxima recalls & problems

The 1996 Nissan Maxima has 5 safety recalls and 96 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (18 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints96filed by owners

Crashes · fires13 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths8 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior lightingAug 11, 2008

Headlights

Recall 08E0500001,921 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E04900027,176 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1996 Nissan Maxima 4-DR

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Maxima

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

Maxima

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Exhaust system	18	0	1	0	117,500 mi
Air bagsFrontal	17	11	0	8	75,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Clutch assembly	13	0	0	0	—
SuspensionFront; Rear	9	1	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Wiring › Front underhood	8	0	3	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist › Pump; Steering wheel/handle bar	7	0	0	0	75,000 mi
TiresTread/belt	7	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	6	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlLinkages; Cruise control	5	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc	4	0	0	0	—
StructureFrame and members; Body › Door	4	1	0	1	—
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element; Windshield wiper/washer	4	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SLOWING DOWN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,300.
Nov 11, 2015 · 100,300 miles
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulatorFire
CAR FIRE. MY SON'S CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE HE WAS DRIVING IT DUE TO A PART NISSAN KNEW WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1997-1999 NISSAN MAXIMAS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THEIR ALTERNATORS THAT CAUSED THEM TO CATCH FIRE. DETAILS ABOUT THE RECALL ARE BELOW. MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 1996 MAXIMA WHEN THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE. LUCKILY, HE ESCAPED WITHOUT INJURY. ALTHOUGH HIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, CLEARLY THE PART THAT STARTED THE FIRE IS THE SAME AND IT IS THE PART THAT IGNITED THE FIRE. I SPOKE WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS THREE TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. I AM CONTACTING YOU BECAUSE I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET NISSAN TO DISCUSS THIS EVENT IN TERMS OF THE SECURITY ASPECT OF IT.…
Aug 8, 2011 · 198,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
MY 1996 NISSAN MAXIMA CAUGHT ON FIRE BY ITSELF IN THE MIDNIGHT, AND IT WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE FROM MY FRIEND AS A GIFT, WHICH WAS IN A VERY GOOD CONDITION. AND I ALSO PAID THE BUCKNER'S AUTO SERVICE CENTER AT KNOXVILLE, TN FOR CHECKING THE CAR IN DETAIL AND GETTING IT REPAIRED. BUT 8 DAYS AFTER, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. DURING THE 8 DAYS, THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT IN FRONT OF MY APARTMENT, AND NOBODY EVER TOUCHED THE CAR. IT'S CLOUDY OR RAINY IN ALL THESE DAYS. THOUGH FORTUNATELY MY WIFE AND I WERE SAFE, WE WERE REALLY SCARED AND MY WIFE WAS AFRAID OF VEHICLES FROM THEN ON. WE HAVE ARRIVED AT THE U.S LESS THAN 2 MONTHS, AND THIS INCIDENT…
Sep 18, 2009 · 206,576 miles
Air bags
THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH JUST STARTED FLASHING INTERMITTENTLY THEN I JUST SEE THAT THERE IS A RECALL. HOWEVER MY CAR IS 1996. I AM A NERVOUS WRECK TRYING TO DRIVE. *TR
Dec 30, 2008
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR CONSTANTLY FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND PAID $125 FOR AN ESTIMATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INCAPABLE OF BEING REPAIRED. IN THE SUMMER OF 2007, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST IN REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. UPDATED 11/28/08 *BF THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSING POWER STEERING FLUID. THE DEALER STATED THE PUMP HAD A LEAK. UPDATED 12/02/08. *JB
May 11, 2007 · 75,000 miles
Tires
OF 4 TIRES PURCHASED IN MAY 2008, 3 HAVE FAILED. ONE TIRE WAS REPLACED DUE TO RADIAL TIRE PULL. A SECOND WAS REPLACED DUE TO A BLISTER THAT DEVELOPED ON THE SIDEWALL. A THIRD WAS REPLACED DUE TO A FLAT SPOT THAT WAS DISCOVERED ON THE TREAD, WHICH WAS FOUND WHEN THE TIRE COULD NOT BE BALANCED. ALL 3 TIRES FAILED WITHIN THE FIRST 6,000 MILES OF TREADWEAR. TIRES ARE GOODYEAR COMFORT TREAD. *TR
Aug 23, 2008 · 185,600 miles
Steering › Gear box › Shaft pitman
I FACED A RARE (I DON'T KNOW I AM THINKING IT AS RARE) PROBLEM WITH NISSAN MAXIMA. WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE MODE MY FRIEND, SITTING IN THE OTHER SEAT, ACCIDENTALLY CHANGED THE GEAR TO REVERSE MODE THEN THE STRANGE THING HAPPENED, THE CAR STEERING GOT LOCKED AND THE CAR GOT DECELERATED VERY FAST (AS I WAS APPLYING A BRAKE) AND EVEN THOUGH I CHANGED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE MODE THE CAR WONT PICK ACCELERATION AND BEHAVED AS IT IS IN THE NEUTRAL GEAR. SO, THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE ON THE LEFT LANE AND WE ALMOST GOT KILLED BY THE ON COMING TRAFFIC. SINCE THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT MOVING WE ARE NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. WHAT WE DID IS WE STOPPED…
Mar 24, 2008
Fuel system, gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT MUST MAKE 5 OR 6 ATTEMPTS IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. OCCASIONALLY, HE MUST DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOOR FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURS EACH TIME HE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY AFTER IT HAS BEEN PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. IF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND IS STILL WARM, IT TAKES 2 OR 3 ATTEMPTS TO START. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE FUEL SYSTEM RELATED AND HE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FILTERS, WIRING HARNESS, AND STARTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT. HE BELIEVES THAT THE ELECTRICAL SENSOR IS NOT READING CORRECTLY. THE PURCHASE DATE AND DEALER…
Aug 10, 2006 · 143,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.