2016 Nissan Maxima Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 142 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,700miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2016 Nissan Maxima, 5% of the 142 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,700 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.
“Vehicle has heavy fogging of passenger side headlight which has become increasingly evident. The symptom has progressed to the point where it is causing electrical issues in the form of flickering headlights and inconsistent directional signals when the weather conditions are wet enough. This is a safety issue. One photo I have taken reveals what is an apparent internal crack in the assembly. This was not caused by any external forces, impact, etc. It is internal to the assembly.”
NHTSA complaint #11081869, filed 2018-03, 39,700 miles“Vehicle headlamp failed according to the Nissan dealer we took it to. They claimed they have never seen one fail. Now I'm freaked out to drive car thinking about what if the other fails completely. They will do nothing to fix it. Its a major safety issue. I don't want to get into a wreck if the headlamps fail on both sides. They are putting myself and daughter at risk.”
NHTSA complaint #11131032, filed 2018-09“The power on the dashboard goes out and I have no way of knowing my speed, the milage, or any other information on how the vehicle is operating. The radio and other dashboard instruments are off the screens are black and I can't receive any information on how the vehicle is operating. Our safety is at risk since when this happens, we don't know if it would stop abruptly and cause an accident. We have not taken it to a dealer yet but are scheduling an appointment. No other parties have inspected the vehicle yet. …”
NHTSA complaint #11662859, filed 2025-05“The headlights are dim. I have replaced them with brighter H11 bulbs but I still cannot see. Others who have driven my car have indicated that the headlights are noticeably dimmer than normal. I literally cannot see the roadway. Also, I started having problems with the CVT shortly before 60,000miles. The problem was diagnosed as rudder codes. I was not financially able to replace the CVT at the time although I did ultimately replace it. The headliner inside the car has been falling down for years and I keep re gluing it around the rear view window. …”
NHTSA complaint #11654299, filed 2025-04“Passenger running light quit working, headlamp itself works. Took to local Nissan dealer. They told me they have never seen one just fail. Definitely a safety hazard if they are just failing”
NHTSA complaint #11115574, filed 2018-08Related service bulletins
- 10235698Apr 5, 2023HEADLAMP, FOG LAMP, OR REAR COMBINATION LAMP FOGGING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10167395Oct 8, 20192016-2018 MAXIMA; LOW POWER / STOP LAMPS STAY ON This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10162983Jun 27, 20192016-2018 MAXIMA; LOW POWER / STOP LAMPS STAY ON IF YOU CONFIRM The customer reports that Intermittently there is low power when accelerating, And/or The stop lamps (brake…
- 10138264Apr 20, 2018FOG LAMP AND/OR HEADLAMP FOGGING This bulletin has been amended to add Fog Lamps and modify one step in the flow chart on page 3. No other changes have been made. Please discard…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 20% |
| 2019 | 2 | 11% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 7 | 5% |
| 2014 | 19 | 20% |
| 2013 | 9 | 15% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 0% |
| 2004 | 9 | 1% |
| 2003 | 26 | 13% |
| 2002 | 22 | 11% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
| 2000 | 7 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 3 | 4% |
| 1990 | 8 | 8% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2016 Nissan Maxima
33 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 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 31, 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