1996 Nissan Maxima Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around the engine cooling system, airbag warning lights and non-deployment in crashes, and automatic transmission shifting problems. Many reports come in well past 75,000 miles, though coolant pump and transmission complaints appear notably earlier, and several owners describe repeated dealer visits without a confirmed cause.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light stays on or flashes; no deployment in

   • 14 complaints (15%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 11.6 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2009

   Owners describe the airbag indicator flashing or staying lit continuously, and some report that the dealer said the system needed replacement or could not be repaired. Others describe frontal and rear impacts in which the airbags did not deploy, and one owner reports deployment over a bump that resulted in minor injuries. Several also mention that the vehicle was outside any airbag recall coverage. Reports span low to moderate mileage, with several around 75,000 miles and others at unknown mileage from the late 1990s.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the airbag system scanned and ask for any stored crash or sensor codes before buying. A flashing light is worth diagnosing rather than ignoring, and check whether the SRS has been serviced under any campaign.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10254095, filed 2009-01

   “While driving at 25 MPH, the consumer crashed the vehicle and both air bags deployed. Affects from the air bag deployment caused 60% loss of hearing. Dealer notified.”

   NHTSA complaint #10026345, filed 2003-10, 135,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls or will not restart

   • 12 complaints (13%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 10.9 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2015

   Owners report the engine cutting out at low speed, at stops, or when accelerating from a stop, sometimes leaving them without power steering or brake assist. Starting trouble is also described, with several attempts needed and occasional long cranks, and mechanics have replaced fuel pumps, filters, ignition coils and starters without fully resolving it. In a few cases dealers reported being unable to reproduce the problem. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 50,000 to over 140,000 miles, and in both cold starts and warm restarts.

   What to check: Ask for recent service records on ignition, fuel and emissions components, and take a test drive that includes several restarts and stop-and-go driving. A scan for stored engine codes is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer experiencing ongoing intermittent problem with vehicle stalling out while driving. Whenever vehicle comes to a slow down or stop, vehicle would stall as consumer press down on the accelerator pedal. Vehicle been in dealer shop on two occasions. Dealer informed consumer they could not find anything.”

   NHTSA complaint #835198, filed 1999-02

   “On going / intermittent problem with engine stalling, usually it occurs when accelerating from a stop postion or accelerating from a low speed. Vehicle been in / out of dealer shop on five occasions, and problem still reoccurring. Dealer replaced front timing covers, gaskets, intake manifold collector, coil packs, plugs, and performed throttle chamber service, now vehicle has an oil leak. Transmission failed and was replaced. Starter motor failed and was replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #883027, filed 2001-03
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shifting and gear-selector problems

   • 7 complaints (7%)
   • typically at 3.7 yrs old
   • filed 1998–2003

   Owners report the shifter being hard to move out of Park, with one describing a bushing replacement that did not resolve it, and another reporting an interlock cable failure that allowed the key to be removed out of Park. Others describe sluggish acceleration, early upshifts with overdrive engaged, and one transmission replacement. A separate report describes both front CV joint boots failing at low mileage. Reported from around 48,000 miles upward, with several complaints filed on vehicles under 60,000 miles.

   What to check: Test every gear position including Park-to-Drive engagement and overdrive operation, and check the CV boots for cracks or grease leakage. Ask about transmission fluid service history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When vehicle is in park the vehicle does not want to go out of park. Gear sticks, and the driver has to really struggle to get the gear out of this position. This has happened several times. Dealer cannot find any problem with this vehicle. The third time the dealer finally replaced the bushing lock in the transmission, but the problem still is going on.”

   NHTSA complaint #823450, filed 1998-05

   “When shifting from park to drive consumer had to force it. Part has been replaced twice by dealer, consumer was told Nissan company advised dealer not to replace this component again, there was nothing wrong with it. Also on driver's side window water was leaking into vehicle, enough to soak carpet. Dealer said that was normal for this type vehicle. The mildew smell after rain and car wash.”

   NHTSA complaint #878152, filed 2001-01
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Coolant leaks, water pump failure and overheating

   • 10 complaints (10%)
   • median 117,500 mi at 9.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2009

   Owners describe coolant loss traced to a leaking water pump, with overheating following and repair quotes running into the hundreds of dollars. Related reports describe the check engine light returning repeatedly after codes are cleared, rough running while the light is on, and reduced fuel economy and acceleration. One owner reports an engine compartment fire while the vehicle was parked. Mostly reported between roughly 50,000 and 135,000 miles, sometimes at fairly low mileage for the age of the vehicle.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check coolant level and look for seepage or crusty residue around the water pump and hoses, and see whether the check engine light is currently on. Ask when the water pump and timing components were last serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 muffler/tail pipe was replaced, and this year, 2 oil leaks developed, 1 inside the engine. The mechanic said this was a defect of Nissan, not anything that I did or didn't do. It cost over $700 to fix the leaks. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10093485, filed 2004-10

   “Water pump leaks radiator coolant. This has LED to engine-overheating and may cause severe engine failure (a safety issue). On checking with dealer, the estimated repair and replacement of water pump may cost around $750. This is an unusually high cost for water pump replacement. With the car being a 96 model having only a mileage of about 50 k, this kind of water pump failure is probably unseen on most other car models. Therefore, it is suggested to the manufacturer to investigate into possible design defects of the water pump.”

   NHTSA complaint #10010166, filed 2003-03, 50,000 miles
5. 5
   Tires

   Tire tread separation and out-of-round tires

   • 5 complaints (5%)
   • median 185,600 mi at 12.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2008

   Owners report tread separating from the tire body, sidewall blisters, radial pull and tires going out of round, in some cases within the first several thousand miles of treadwear. One report notes separation becoming visible after long high-speed highway driving in hot weather, and another describes steering wheel shake linked to the tires. Reported on replacement tires at high vehicle mileage, typically above 150,000 miles, often after highway use in warm weather.

   What to check: Inspect tire date codes, sidewalls and tread for cracks, bulges or separation, and confirm the tires are a matching set. A road-force balance check will show out-of-round tires.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10240484, filed 2008-08, 185,600 miles

   “I purchased 4 of these tires in nov 1998 and the 1st tire had tread separation in nov 1999(it was the driver side front)the 2nd tire had tread separation in mar 2000(driver side rear)----the 1st tire left damage on the inner wheel well of the driver side front---approximate damage $300( DOT number: tire size: p20565r15 )”

   NHTSA complaint #727991, filed 2000-08

Buying note. This is an old vehicle where condition and maintenance history matter more than the badge, so ask for records on the cooling system, transmission and ignition work, and budget for an airbag system diagnosis. A pre-purchase inspection covering coolant leaks, CV boots and tire age is worth the cost.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 50 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.