1986 Nissan Maxima Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 15%of 60 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1986 Nissan Maxima, 15% of the 60 complaints for this model year. 7 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving through a drive-throug the consumer's vehicle hood started smoking. The consumer as soon as she saw the smoke she pulled to the side of parking lot where she has seen the vehicle on fire; the fire department came and they said the fire had started on the engine. A mechanic said everything under the hood was burned, the vehicle had not been repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #820122, filed 1997-12“Parked all day; drove less than two miles, while parking the vehicle started to smoke under the hood, resulting in a fire. Fire was caused due to a fuel leak, recall 95i006 describes problems consumer experienced. Engine belts replaced. Strut failure caused noise while driving over bumps. Spark plugs replaced. Front and rear brake pads replaced, rotors turned. Power steering hose leak.”
NHTSA complaint #804868, filed 1996-11“Driving vehicle, stopped at light, noticed smoke near windshield, thought was other vehicle, pulled over to gas station, lifted hood, noticed fire, did not have extinguisher, called fire dept who put flames out.ak”
NHTSA complaint #800499, filed 1996-08Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% |
| 2009 | 4 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% |
| 2006 | 24 | 4% |
| 2005 | 40 | 4% |
| 2004 | 70 | 5% |
| 2003 | 54 | 26% |
| 2002 | 30 | 15% |
| 2001 | 28 | 16% |
| 2000 | 72 | 20% |
| 1999 | 38 | 23% |
| 1998 | 5 | 4% |
| 1997 | 12 | 12% |
| 1996 | 17 | 18% |
| 1995 | 22 | 14% |
| 1994 | 18 | 20% |
| 1993 | 10 | 13% |
| 1992 | 22 | 20% |
| 1991 | 8 | 11% |
| 1990 | 7 | 7% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 12 | 20% |
| 1987 | 21 | 12% |
| 1986 | 9 | 15% |
| 1985 | 13 | 24% |
| 1984 | 3 | 10% |
| 1983 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 1986 Nissan Maxima
36 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1986 Nissan Maxima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology