Nissan Maxima 2016–2023
8th generation (A36)
NHTSA data through 13 August 2026498 complaints, 218 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
- Reports with mileage
- 218
- Median of reported failures
- 30,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Problems owners could not categorise (14.1%)
- Recalls
- 10
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 11,066 and 60,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Nissan Maxima 2016–2023 · 218 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 20,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 83 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 10%
- 2,000
- 25%
- 11,066
- Median
- 30,000
- 75%
- 60,000
- 90%
- 94,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20,000 | 83 | 38.1% |
| 20,000–40,000 | 45 | 20.6% |
| 40,000–60,000 | 35 | 16.1% |
| 60,000–80,000 | 23 | 10.6% |
| 80,000–100,000 | 13 | 6.0% |
| 100,000–120,000 | 14 | 6.4% |
| 120,000–140,000 | 2 | 0.9% |
| 160,000–180,000 | 3 | 1.4% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 498 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016–2023 Nissan Maxima, and 218 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 11,066 and 60,000 miles. The median is 30,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are problems owners could not categorise (14.1% of complaints, typically around 30,000 miles), the electrical system (10.6% of complaints, typically around 43,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (10.2% of complaints, typically around 62,000 miles).
10 recall campaigns cover this generation. 2 of them carry a severe NHTSA advisory.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2016–2023 Nissan Maxima last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2016–2023 Nissan Maxima were filed by 30,000 miles and 90% by 94,000 miles — figures drawn from 218 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
Before you buy a 2016–2023 Maxima: the 3-minute check
Generated from 218 mileage-tagged complaints, 10 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 10 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check transmission on 2016–2023 cars. Continued Xtronic CVT durability complaints — judder, shudder under light throttle, whine and loss of forward motion — though at lower reported rates than the A35 after cooling and control-software revisions.
- Check body. Panoramic moonroof glass shattering and water intrusion complaints.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 11,000 and 60,000 miles, with a median of 30,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, problems owners could not categorise and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Problems owners could not categorise in particular shows a median failure mileage of 30,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Nissan Maxima 2016–2023
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Brakes42 reports20,0009,000–30,000Brakes: 42 reports, median 20,000 miles, middle half 9,000 to 30,000 miles.
- Airbag system36 reports25,00016,000–39,000Airbag system: 36 reports, median 25,000 miles, middle half 16,000 to 39,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise70 reports30,0005,500–47,000Problems owners could not categorise: 70 reports, median 30,000 miles, middle half 5,500 to 47,000 miles.
- Engine33 reports36,00013,000–60,000Engine: 33 reports, median 36,000 miles, middle half 13,000 to 60,000 miles.
- Body structure35 reports39,0003,000–60,000Body structure: 35 reports, median 39,000 miles, middle half 3,000 to 60,000 miles.
- Electrical system53 reports43,00014,000–80,000Electrical system: 53 reports, median 43,000 miles, middle half 14,000 to 80,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline51 reports62,00018,000–100,000Transmission and driveline: 51 reports, median 62,000 miles, middle half 18,000 to 100,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Problems owners could not categorise | 70 | 14.1% | 30,000 | 5,500–47,000 |
| Electrical system | 53 | 10.6% | 43,000 | 14,000–80,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 51 | 10.2% | 62,000 | 18,000–100,000 |
| Brakes | 42 | 8.4% | 20,000 | 9,000–30,000 |
| Airbag system | 36 | 7.2% | 25,000 | 16,000–39,000 |
| Body structure | 35 | 7.0% | 39,000 | 3,000–60,000 |
| Engine | 33 | 6.6% | 36,000 | 13,000–60,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 31 | 6.2% | 50,000 | 4,000–105,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 20 | 4.0% | 42,000 | 28,000–74,000 |
| Steering | 15 | 3.0% | — | — |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Nissan Maxima 2016–2023 · 218 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 75% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
75% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 30,000 mi
- Brakes — median 20,000 mi
- Airbag system — median 25,000 mi
- Body structure — median 39,000 mi
- Engine — median 36,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Electrical system — middle half 14,000–80,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 18,000–100,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
89% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 30,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 43,000 mi
- Brakes — median 20,000 mi
- Airbag system — median 25,000 mi
- Body structure — median 39,000 mi
- Engine — median 36,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 18,000–100,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
98% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 30,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 43,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 62,000 mi
- Brakes — median 20,000 mi
- Airbag system — median 25,000 mi
- Body structure — median 39,000 mi
- Engine — median 36,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 30,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 14.1% of complaints (70 reports, 27 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 30,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 5,500 and 47,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 10.6% of complaints (53 reports, 26 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 43,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 14,000 and 80,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 10.2% of complaints (51 reports, 19 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 62,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 18,000 and 100,000 miles.
The brakes account for 8.4% of complaints (42 reports, 26 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 20,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 9,000 and 30,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 7.2% of complaints (36 reports, 19 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 25,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 16,000 and 39,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 7.0% of complaints (35 reports, 15 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 39,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 3,000 and 60,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2016 model year drew the most — 224 complaints — while 2019 drew the fewest at 28. The median year sits at 46.
That makes 2016 an outlier: roughly 4.9 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 10 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
2 of these carry a severe advisory — NHTSA's do not drive or park outside warnings, which the agency applies only when it considers the risk immediate. If you own one of these vehicles, that is the first thing to check by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the hydraulic brake circuit (5), the airbag system (2), visibility equipment (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 498 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 38 (7.6%)
- Fires
- 15
- Injury reports
- 25
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Transmission 2016–2023
Continued Xtronic CVT durability complaints — judder, shudder under light throttle, whine and loss of forward motion — though at lower reported rates than the A35 after cooling and control-software revisions.
Body
Panoramic moonroof glass shattering and water intrusion complaints.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 224 | 106 |
| 2017 | 155 | 64 |
| 2018 | 46 | 26 |
| 2019 | 28 | 10 |
| 2020 | 33 | 9 |
| 2021 | 4 | 2 |
| 2022 | 6 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 |
Recalls (10) — is your car included?
Nov 2020 · 2020 · VisibilityRear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.
What can happen. Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC752.
Dec 2019 · 2016–2018 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideA brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free 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. 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.
Nov 2019 · 2018–2019 · Back Over PreventionThe lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, thes
What can happen. The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Oct 2018 · 2016–2017 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideA brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free 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. 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.
Feb 2017 · 2016 · Air BagsIf the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. 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 free 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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Dec 2016 · 2016–2017 · Service Brakes, HydraulicA brake fluid leak onto the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. A brake fluid leak onto the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free 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. 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.
Jun 2016 · 2016–2017 · Air BagsIf the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. 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 free 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, 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 custome
May 2016 · 2016 · Service Brakes, HydraulicInsufficient brake fluid pressure may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. Insufficient brake fluid pressure may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free 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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Dec 2015 · 2016 · Service Brakes, HydraulicIf the bolts were not properly tightened, the caliper may detach and reduce braking ability, increasing the…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. If the bolts were not properly tightened, the caliper may detach and reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free 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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Sep 2015 · 2016 · Fuel System, GasolineIf fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the…
The defect. 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 ti
What can happen. 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 free 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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
What owners reported
My Maxima is only 4 years old and it started jumping and hesitating while driving. The Nissan repair shop said that my transmission is bad and it looks like 'glitter' inside.They have to replace it. Apparently Nissan has a class action lawsuit against them because of these CVT transmissions. They are not acknowledging…
2016 · 10 miles · Transmission and driveline
Steering/straight line tracking on this Nissan Maxima sv (purchased 06/28/2016) is horribly unpredictable from it's date of purchase. Driver required to be hypersensitive to correcting tracking/line direction of aforementioned vehicle. Natural tendency of front wheels are to careen to left and right abruptly and…
2016 · 34 miles · Steering
the contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v486000 (fuel/ propulsion system). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the…
2016 · 1,000 miles · Fuel and propulsion system
NHTSA campaign #15v486000 & nna file #19808586. New fuel tank has been installed by dealer. I'm not comfortable that dealer installation satisfies the safety issue of a rear end collision. Has NHTSA re-tested or otherwise is satisfied that the fuel tank installed at dealer level (versus by manufacturer) eliminates the…
2016 · 1,500 miles · Fuel system
Built from 218 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page