Sedan · Gas
Nissan Maxima 2016-2023 (A36)
- Your fit
- Take the quiz
- Price
- $32,410–$44,530
- MPG
- 25
- Watch-out: Poor cargo & utility
- Watch-out: Poor running costs
How it scores for you10 scores
A plush, 300-hp V6 flagship that flatters daily driving, but the CVT and front-drive layout undercut its four-door-sports-car pretensions.
Recalled about half as often as cars of the same model years; 6 of its 10 recalls were serious. About 8% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted -2 points for its wider reputation.
Not yet crash-tested by NHTSA, so this is scored as middle-of-the-road.
About $3,200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 23% of cars we track.
14.3 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 18% of other sedans we track.
Good front space, but the swoopy roofline pinches rear headroom and the trunk is average.
The 300-hp V6 is genuinely strong, but front-drive torque steer and a CVT undercut the sport-sedan billing.
Well-equipped at launch with a large screen; midlife updates kept it roughly mid-pack.
Zero Gravity seats and a hushed cabin make it a genuinely pleasant highway car.
Typical resale value for a sedan.
No published tow rating; front- or rear-wheel drive only.
Safety & recalls16 recalls
Not yet rated by NHTSA.
16 recalls · 8 common complaint areas across 2016–2020
- Powertrain — 32 complaints (2016)
- Recall — Visibility: glass, side/rear (2020)
- Electrical — 20 complaints (2016)
2023
No recorded issues.
2022
No recorded issues.
2021
No recorded issues.
2020
- RecallVisibility: glass, side/rear20V570000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.
2019
- RecallBack over prevention: sensing system: camera19V654000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additio
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other5 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On 12.102025 the panoramic sunroof exploded while I was driving home, with my son in the car. Out of no where it was this huge explosive sound that, sounded like a gun shot or something. It was day time the sun out just driving along. The dealer did not state anything was wrong with the sunroof. I p
2018
- RecallBack over prevention: sensing system: camera19V654000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additio
- RecallService brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip19V807000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-60
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other7 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am submitting this as a formal complaint regarding an ongoing and unresolved safety issue with my 2018 Nissan Maxima (VIN: [XXX] ). Despite multiple attempts to have this issue diagnosed and repaired, the problem continues without resolution. The issue occurs after driving for approximately 30 mi
- Complaint clusterElectrical5 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the instrument panel was intermittently dim upon starting the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving the instrument panel eventually brightened before returning to a dim setting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occ
- Complaint clusterBrakes5 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES
The contact's son owned a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while the driver was driving 5 MPH, he noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that the driver opened
- Complaint clusterForward collision avoidance5 complaintscomplaints:FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the "Front Radar Obstruction Unavailable" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle independently slowed down without depression the brake pedal. As a result of the failure, several elect
2017
- RecallAirbags: sensor: occupant classification16V244000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano
- RecallService brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip16V636000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 19, 2016 and equipped with Intelligent Cruise Control, 2015-2017 Murano vehicles manufactured August 22, 2014, to August 19, 2016 and equipped with Intellige
- RecallService brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip18V601000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Nissan Murano, 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.
- RecallService brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip19V807000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-60
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other17 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car turning off while driving and can't turn the wheel to get out of the road. We had the car battery, fob battery and alternator replaced and still the same issue. We heard this has happened to another owner of the same vehicle that lives in or town. This is not safe and could cause an accident.
- Complaint clusterAirbags16 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
Air Bag sensor keeps turning on. After several resets, and it’s always a different airbag sensor that sets it off.
- Complaint clusterStructure13 complaintscomplaints:STRUCTURE
Roof started to show lines that turn into cracks exposing the internal metal frame.
- Complaint clusterPowertrain11 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
The vehicle experienced a no‑start condition and was towed to a dealership. The dealership performed major engine and timing repairs without authorization and kept the vehicle for nearly four months. After the repairs, the vehicle still cranks but will not start, requires jump‑starts, and now has ne
- Complaint clusterElectrical10 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car was parked outside husbands work since 7 at 12:15 pm he was advised by a co worker that my car was on fire ! When I ran outside my his workers where trying to put out the fire with the fire extinguishers from the work warehouse ! The fire department ended up finish putting out the fire ! The wh
2016
- RecallFuel system, gasoline15V486000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the agency on July 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 18, 2015. On October 14, 2015, Nissan expanded the recall to cover an additional 41,388 vehicles, including cert
- RecallService brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper15V733000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2015 Altima and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured October 6, 2015, to October 7, 2015. The affected vehicles have front brake calipers whose mounting bolts may not be properly tightened.
- RecallService brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip16V193000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016 Murano vehicles manufactured December 17, 2015, to February 11, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to February 12, 2016 and equipped with an antilock braking system (ABS) and Vehicle Dynamic Control
- RecallAirbags: sensor: occupant classification16V244000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano
- RecallService brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip16V636000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 19, 2016 and equipped with Intelligent Cruise Control, 2015-2017 Murano vehicles manufactured August 22, 2014, to August 19, 2016 and equipped with Intellige
- RecallAirbags: sensor: occupant classification16V911000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima vehicles manufactured January 3, 2013, to July 29, 2013, 2015-2016 Rogue vehicles manufactured October 14, 2014, to August 12, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured June 4, 2015, to August 19, 2015. An incorr
- RecallService brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip18V601000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Nissan Murano, 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.
- RecallService brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip19V807000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-60
- Complaint clusterPowertrain32 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly. The vehicle was shifted into neutral, and the RPMs revved up. The vehicle failed to move forward and shut off unintendedly. Several hours later, the vehicle was restarted.
- Complaint clusterElectrical20 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic pending repairs after the contact was involved in a crash, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The independent mechanic requested a Carfax report a
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other16 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car has been diagnosed with a CVT transmission problem which the mechanic stated was hard to diagnose. The car sometimes slow down to only 30 miles or less being unpredictable when driving and could cause an accident in a busy street or highway as the problem comes at unpredictable times. The ca
- Complaint clusterAirbags13 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
The 2016 Nissan Maxima (VIN: [XXX] ) I purchased in January 2025 has been confirmed by a certified mechanic to have no driver airbag installed and no passenger side curtain airbag installed, despite a previous airbag deployment shown on the vehicle history report. There is no record of any airbag re
- Complaint clusterSteering9 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
2016 nissan, noticed while stuck in traffic on highway on rainy day the vehicle seemed to want to loose power and battery light was coming on. I was able to exit highway an make it home. Later that night while at laundry mat headed to get food the car wouldn't accelerate eventually died an wouldn't
Cost to own$28,000 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$32,410–$44,530
Estimated used price, by model year
$3,200/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
22
Highway MPG
30
Combined MPG
25
Horsepower
300 hp
Doors
4
Cargo volume
14.3 cu ft
Limited data — dimensions unavailable.
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