1996 Nissan Maxima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1996 Nissan Maxima is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 117 owner complaints run below the Maxima median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (19), airbags (17), and transmission (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

117

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other Maxima years?

Maxima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Maxima years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Nissan Maxima problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Engine	19	16%	— flat
Airbags	17	15%	▼ down
Transmission	13	11%	— flat
Electrical System	10	9%	▼ down
Suspension	9	8%	— flat
Steering	7	6%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	7	6%	— flat
Other	7	6%	— flat
Speed Control	5	4%	— flat
Brakes	5	4%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	4	3%	▼ down
Body & Structure	4	3%	▼ down
Fuel System	3	3%	▼ down
Seats	3	3%	▼ down
Seat Belts	1	1%	▼ down
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	1%	▼ down
Lighting	1	1%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	1	1%	— flat

Does the 1996 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* 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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 11, 2015

“CONSUMER WAS SITTING AT A LIGHT & WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. REAR BUMPER WAS PUSHED IN THE BACK SEAT. AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY & THE SEATBELT DIDN'T LOCK. CONSUMER SUSTAINED FACIAL & DENTAL INJURIES. MANUFACTURER HAD AN INSPECTOR TO LOOK AT VEHICLE & FOUND SEATBELT & AIRBAG IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.*AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 31, 2000 · crash

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 10, 1996

“ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING UNDER THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MANUAL SEAT, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 3, 1997 · fire

1996 Nissan Maxima — common questions

Is the 1996 Nissan Maxima reliable?

It is close to typical for the Maxima: 117 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1996 Maxima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (19 complaints), airbags (17 complaints), transmission (13 complaints).

Does the 1996 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Nissan Maxima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Maxima years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Maxima years to avoid are 2004, 2005, 2006, 2000, 2009, 2010, 2002, 2003, 2001, 2016, 1999, 1995, 1987. The cleanest record among Maxima years belongs to 2023.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1996 compare to other Maxima years?

What are the most common 1996 Nissan Maxima problems?

Does the 1996 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1996 Nissan Maxima — common questions

Is the 1996 Nissan Maxima reliable?

What are the most common 1996 Maxima problems?

Does the 1996 Nissan Maxima have recalls?

Which Nissan Maxima years should you avoid?

Related