1996 Nissan Maxima Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Maxima years
- About as many complaints as other years 19th of 29 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- None on file
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Nissan Maxima. That ranks 19th out of 29 Maxima model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (17 complaints, 18%), typically at around 117,500 miles. Complaints mention 13 crashes, 3 fires, 8 injuries. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year.
- 96owner complaints
- 0safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 13complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1996 Nissan Maxima problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 17 | 18% | 117,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 16 | 17% | 75,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 12 | 13% | 48,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 8 | 8% | 202,288 | — | — |
| Suspension | 8 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 7 | 7% | 75,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 7 | 7% | 185,600 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 6 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 5% | 75,984 | — | — |
| Equipment | 4 | 4% | 140,788 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 4% | 95,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 4 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 3 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 2% | 143,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 1% | 100,300 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1% | 206,576 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1% | 84,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1996 Nissan Maxima recalls (0)
No safety recalls are on file for the 1996 Nissan Maxima.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
Car fire. My son's car caught on fire while he was driving it due to a part nissan knew was defective. There is a recall for 1997-1999 nissan maximas due to a defect in their alternators that caused them to catch fire. Details about the recall are below. My son was driving his 1996 maxima when the…
My 1996 nissan maxima caught on fire by itself in the midnight, and it was almost completely destroyed by the fire. I received the vehicle from my friend as a gift, which was in a very good condition. And i also paid the buckner's auto service center at knoxville, tn for checking the car in detail…
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. *tr
Tl*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…
Other Nissan Maxima years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Maxima | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 Maxima | 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Maxima | 3 | 0 |
| 2020 Maxima | 22 | 1 |
| 2019 Maxima | 18 | 1 |
| 2018 Maxima | 36 | 2 |
| 2017 Maxima | 104 | 4 |
| 2016 Maxima | 142 | 8 |
| 2015 Maxima | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 Maxima | 96 | 0 |
| 2013 Maxima | 62 | 0 |
| 2012 Maxima | 107 | 0 |
| 2011 Maxima | 106 | 0 |
| 2010 Maxima | 275 | 1 |
| 2009 Maxima | 339 | 1 |
| 2008 Maxima | 79 | 0 |
| 2007 Maxima | 129 | 1 |
| 2006 Maxima | 576 | 2 |
| 2005 Maxima | 948 | 2 |
| 2004 Maxima | 1,426 | 2 |
| 2003 Maxima | 206 | 3 |
| 2002 Maxima | 205 | 6 |
| 2001 Maxima | 172 | 3 |
| 2000 Maxima | 360 | 0 |
| 1999 Maxima | 165 | 0 |
| 1998 Maxima | 113 | 1 |
| 1997 Maxima | 102 | 1 |
| 1996 | 96 | 0 |
| 1995 Maxima | 152 | 0 |
See all Nissan Maxima problems by year, every Nissan model, or the Nissan VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Nissan Maxima?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, air bags, power train problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 17 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Nissan Maxima?
No safety recalls are on file for this model year.
Was the 1996 Nissan Maxima a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Maxima model years, the 1996 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.