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1996 Nissan MaximaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 96 owner complaints about the 1996 Nissan Maxima, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

51
CarFlaw IndexSolid year2% below the Maxima median · #19 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints9623 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage118kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 25, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Nissan Maxima has problems

96 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
Engine and engine cooling171
Air bags1611
Power train120
Suspension81
Electrical system83
Steering70
Tires70
Vehicle speed control50
Service brakes, hydraulic40
11 other systems235

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

0 recalls

1996 Nissan Maxima recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1996 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
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Nissan Maxima safety ratings

1996 Nissan Maxima 4-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Maxima owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10286192 · Oct 3, 2009 · 206,576 miles
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES AFTER 55-60 TRIPS TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. IN ADDITION TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING THE ENGINE MADE A PINGING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. ON ONE OCCASION,THE MECHANIC CLEANED THE COILS. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP SUGGESTED…
Complaint 10147611 · Jan 12, 2006 · 120,000 miles
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON EVEN AFTER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS DONE. THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AFTER THE 1ST YEAR I BOUGHT IT. IN THE 5 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, THE STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED, TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED, STRUTS WERE REPLACED, A NEW…
Complaint 10093485 · Oct 2, 2004

Own a 1996 Maxima?

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