1996 Nissan Maxima Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 7%of 96 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Nissan Maxima, 7% of the 96 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles.
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.
“I faced a rare (I don't know I am thinking it as rare) problem with Nissan Maxima. When I was driving the vehicle in drive mode my friend, sitting in the other seat, accidentally changed the gear to reverse mode then the strange thing happened, the car steering got locked and the car got decelerated very fast (as I was applying a brake) and even though I changed the gear into drive mode the car wont pick acceleration and behaved as it is in the neutral gear. So, the car stopped in the middle of the interstate on the left lane and we almost got killed by the on coming traffic. …”
NHTSA complaint #10222383, filed 2008-03“The contact owns a 1996 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while slowing down at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled as the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician informed the contact that the vehicle was operating as designed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,300.”
NHTSA complaint #10806661, filed 2015-11, 100,300 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 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. The leaks blew out the sensors, and the car didn't pass the emissions. …”
NHTSA complaint #10093485, filed 2004-10“The contact owns 1996 Nissan Maxima. She stated that the air bag light flashed at all times. The dealer stated that the vehicle needed a new air bag system. The contact also stated that there was a leak on the power steering pump. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage wa 75,900. Updated 02/01/08 . The consumer also stated the radio did not work”
NHTSA complaint #10198673, filed 2007-08, 75,000 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the air bag indicator constantly flashed on the instrument panel. She took the vehicle to the dealer and paid $125 for an estimate. The dealer stated that the failure was incapable of being repaired. In the summer of 2007, the manufacturer stated that they would not assist in repairing the failure. The current mileage was approximately 84,000 and failure mileage was approximately 75,000. Updated 11/28/08 the vehicle was loosing power steering fluid. The dealer stated the pump had a leak. Updated 12/02/08.”
NHTSA complaint #10248340, filed 2008-11, 75,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10243708Sep 21, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10232652Feb 22, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10179618Aug 6, 2020VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN MAXIMA POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE LEAKS Service Campaign ID # P8140 is no longer active. ï· Repair orders opened after this bulletinâs published…
- 10192217Jul 23, 2013If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and…
- 10192216Jul 23, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 5% |
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2017 | 4 | 4% |
| 2016 | 9 | 6% |
| 2014 | 4 | 4% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 10 | 9% |
| 2011 | 9 | 8% |
| 2010 | 158 | 57% |
| 2009 | 168 | 50% |
| 2008 | 4 | 5% |
| 2007 | 7 | 5% |
| 2006 | 17 | 3% |
| 2005 | 17 | 2% |
| 2004 | 37 | 3% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 11 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 4 | 4% |
| 1997 | 6 | 6% |
| 1996 | 7 | 7% |
| 1995 | 8 | 5% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 2 | 2% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
| 1990 | 3 | 3% |
| 1989 | 4 | 6% |
| 1988 | 3 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 1% |
| 1986 | 2 | 3% |
| 1985 | 1 | 2% |
| 1983 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1996 Nissan Maxima
17 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsTires
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Nissan Maxima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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