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1986 Nissan MaximaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 60 owner complaints about the 1986 Nissan Maxima, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1% below the Maxima median · #18 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints6042 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem36Fuel system, gasoline

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 26, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Nissan Maxima has problems

60 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Fuel system, gasoline3625
Electrical system109
Engine and engine cooling97
Seat belts51
Steering21
Service brakes, hydraulic21
Suspension21
Vehicle speed control22
Equipment10
2 other systems20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1986 Nissan Maxima recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other Maxima year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Maxima median. How we score

'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Nissan Maxima, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY LEAKAGEEA94018 · closed Nov 8, 1995
    Led to recall 95I006000
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE94018 · closed Jun 23, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What Maxima owners report

Recent fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

DROVE VEHICLE TO CHURCH, AFTER CHURCH, STARTED VEHICLE, HEARD A POP SOUND, THEN VEHICLE WAS SUDDENLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR. *AK
Complaint 984534 · Jul 17, 1996
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE FUEL INJECTORS. CONSUMER SAID THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. *AK
Complaint 857239 · Feb 18, 2000
GAS WAS LEAKING OFF THE BACK OF THE FUEL INJECTOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. THERE IS A SAFETY CAMPAIGN OUT ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER STATES THAT SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION. SHE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
Complaint 817594 · Oct 24, 1997

Own a 1986 Maxima?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.