1996 Nissan Maxima: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 96 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (17% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,300.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2015
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2008
“Of 4 tires purchased in may 2008, 3 have failed. One tire was replaced due to radial tire pull. A second was replaced due to a blister that developed on the sidewall. A third was replaced due to a flat spot that was discovered on the tread, which was found when the tire could not be balanced. All 3 tires failed within the first 6,000 miles of treadwear. Tires are goodyear comfort tread. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*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 *lj. The consumer also stated the radio did not work”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2007
“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 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 *bf the vehicle was loosing power steering fluid. The dealer stated the pump had a leak. Updated 12/02/08. *jb”Owner report · Steering · May 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated the check engine light illuminates after 55-60 trips to an independent mechanic. In addition to the check engine light illuminating the engine made a pinging noise when accelerating. On one occasion,the mechanic cleaned the coils. The independent repair shop suggested replacing the egr valve, but the contact declined because the state would not allow the installation of a used egr valve. The codes were cleared several times in order to get the light to go off. The check engine light always comes back on. Sometimes it came on within 30 minutes of being repaired.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2005
“On two occasions hood latch snapped. This could have caused injures to the consumer while making repairs under the hood. *ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Feb 2004
“1996 nissan maxima, low mileage (50,000) failed nc state inspection due to failure of both cv joint boots. If the boots are not replaced, the axles will fail - causing sudden loss of power or sudden lockup on 1 or both front wheels.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2004
“While driving at 25 mph, the consumer crashed the vehicle and both air bags deployed. Affects from the air bag deployment caused 60% loss of hearing. Dealer notified.*ak *ts *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2003
“The vehicle was riding a little rough. The consumer took the vehicle to a mechanic and found that the timing chain tensioners were loose. The consumer was told that the vehicle would cost approximately $2300.00 to repair. *nlm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1996 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Maxima by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Nissan Maxima reliable?
NHTSA has 96 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Nissan Maxima. The most complained-about area is air bags (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Nissan Maxima problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 100,300 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Nissan Maxima have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.