2016 Nissan Maxima Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 13%of 142 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 29,066miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Nissan Maxima, 13% of the 142 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 29,066 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Tuesday, dec. 22 my 2016 Nissan Maxima just shut off while driving in hayward, ca near industrial rd. Called triple aaa who jumped the battery and a short distance later on hwy 880 the car shut off again, I was towed off the freeway by caltrans. On january 4, it shut off again while on a city streets. A co-workers husband replaced the battery and I was able to safely drive it home. Jan. 30 a mechanic looked at ran diagnostics and found nothing wrong. I drove it without issue several times from el cerrito to san rafael the week. On feb. …”
NHTSA complaint #11395106, filed 2021-02, 80,000 miles“Car idling, jerking and hesitating at 30mph. When accelerating it does not. The car is going but from a slow speed going to a higher MPH, it will stay stuck and if you floor it, it just won't move. This is dangerous. It's happened on the freeway three times. Now the brake fluid is leaking everywhere. This is a second issue. Transmission. Engine. Cvt, ECM issue and mass air flow sensor and pvc sensor must not be on correctly. I have videos. The service dept has seen them but they can't seem to duplicate the issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11325995, filed 2020-05, 45,000 miles“There was a thermal combustion that caused a fire. Yes, the caught combusted at a local business. I had just entered the building and was told that my car was on fire. The police and Nissan inspected the car but refused to provide the inspection report. A light came on. I do not know the exact date that it appeared. I just received the recall notice and did not have the opportunity to get the car repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #11673095, filed 2025-07“What component or system failed or malfunctioned etc. -The Nissan CVT transmission that is used in all Nissan models and has a known history of premature failure. My 2016 Maxima has 48,000 miles and a completely failed transmission. Yes it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -My two kids were in the car with all three times the accelerator stopped working while in motion due to the CVT transmission. All happened in Chicago city traffic. …”
NHTSA complaint #11483414, filed 2022-09“Four times while I was driving the accelerator was unresponsive. Then the car completely died while driving. The problem is definitely a safety issue due to engine and accelerator stopping while driving. We took it to a good year dealer who originally thought it was battery and replaced it. But that did not solve the problem. Then a Nissan dealer received a code that it’s the cvt transmission.Nissan has had this issue with many of their cars and had a class action suit brought against them. …”
NHTSA complaint #11430257, filed 2021-08Related service bulletins
- 10162974Jun 4, 2019ABNORMAL NOISE FROM FRONT ENGINE MOUNT SERVICE INFORMATION A two-piece design front engine mount is currently being used for the Applied Vehicles listed. A single thunk noise may…
- 10152515Nov 28, 2018OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. We are re-circulating this update to make regional and dealer…
- 10152014Nov 5, 2018CVT FLUID LEVEL QUICK CHECK GAUGE This bulletin applies only to vehicles equipped with a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT…
- 10134845Mar 26, 2018INTELLIGENT KEY NOT DETECTED / ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended to update the Applied Vehicles. No other changes were made. Please discard previous versions…
- 10119236Aug 16, 2017NISSAN; OIL LEAKING AROUND VALVE TIMING CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE This bulletin applies only to Maxima, Quest, Altima Coupe, Altima Sedan, Pathfinder and Murano vehicles with a…
- 10119221Jul 25, 2017THUNK SOUND ON FIRST FEW ACCELERATIONS OF THE DAY This bulletin applies only to Altima, Murano, and Pathfinder vehicles equipped with 6-cylinder engine. This bulletin has been…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 20% |
| 2020 | 1 | 5% |
| 2019 | 4 | 22% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 8 | 8% |
| 2016 | 18 | 13% |
| 2014 | 9 | 9% |
| 2013 | 4 | 6% |
| 2012 | 11 | 10% |
| 2011 | 12 | 11% |
| 2010 | 20 | 7% |
| 2009 | 18 | 5% |
| 2008 | 5 | 6% |
| 2007 | 18 | 14% |
| 2006 | 47 | 8% |
| 2005 | 61 | 6% |
| 2004 | 51 | 4% |
| 2003 | 43 | 21% |
| 2002 | 19 | 9% |
| 2001 | 7 | 4% |
| 2000 | 9 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 2 | 2% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2016 Nissan Maxima
33 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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