Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while approaching a stop light, the vehicle started jerking. The contact pulled over and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the crank shaft was replaced. On another occasion while at a stop light, the contact became aware of smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact attempted to accelerate; however, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. While driving back to the residence, there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,406.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the front collision detection sensor light illuminated and warned that the system was not functional. Additionally, the contact stated that the lug nuts on all four wheels were swollen and could not be removed without damaging them. The contact also stated that the oil pan was leaking. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure was a known issue. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 167,334.
There was a thermal combustion that caused a fire. Yes, the caught combusted at a local business. I had just entered the building and was told that my car was on fire. The police and Nissan inspected the car but refused to provide the inspection report. A light came on. I do not know the exact date that it appeared. I just received the recall notice and did not have the opportunity to get the car repaired.
driving the vehicle gives no indication it power off car will not start up when you try half an hour later it may start may not start driving it shut off again power shortage code may not come up when it happens it don't give any warning when you driving on the highway regular roads it just gives no warning sign it just power off completely at is not safety to drive
I recently purchased this vehicle from HHGreg in Tampa, Fl in May 2023. We found out it was associated with a recall regarding the brakes within 60days of having the vehicle, which Brandon Nissan took care of. My car only has 40,000 miles on it now. We bought it with only having 36,000 miles on it. Therefore, we've only driven it 4k miles. However, for the last 3 months, this car will literally shut off while driving, mainly when taking a turn. Which, as you can imagine is extremely unsafe, especially in the middle of a main intersection, which has now happened to me three times. We have had 3 mechanics look at the car, including someone from Brandon Nissan, and no one is able to figure out why the car keeps losing power. When you run a diagnostic on it, all the codes come back as passing. …
Four times while I was driving the accelerator was unresponsive. Then the car completely died while driving. The problem is definitely a safety issue due to engine and accelerator stopping while driving. We took it to a good year dealer who originally thought it was battery and replaced it. But that did not solve the problem. Then a Nissan dealer received a code that it's the cvt transmission.Nissan has had this issue with many of their cars and had a class action suit brought against them. I spoke with Nissan Corp about extending warranty and repairing the cvt transmission which is an expensive repair. They refuse. The car is extremely unsafe to drive since it may not accelerate and then completely die at any time.
This is third time this has happened. I already filled out one, but they have already replaced my altenator. My car worked fine for about a month, and then it did the same thing where I can't excelarate and the car limps at 1 MPH till it eventually shuts off and will not start up. If you jump the car it will work again, but not for long until it does the same thing. On the Nissan Forums alot of people are talking about this same issue, but nothing is being done and the only fix is to find an OEM altenator, but Nissan doesn't make one anymore. This is really starting to become a huge problem.
No matter what speed you're going it puts itself in false neutral. Abs , traction control comes on battery light flashes. No power steering and will not accelerate. Have almost been ran into and ran over. There is no warning when this happens and not yet find a service department or garage that can fix the problem. Very dangerous especially for a new driver, I bought this car for my daughter. This has happened more than once and now we do not drive the car due to it not being safe. New battery and alternator checks good. Has been scanned for codes several times.
05/21/21--2016 Nissan Maxima with CVT tranmissions problems. No current recalls, but lots of lemon law cases from 2012-2018 with all models except the maxima. Have 94K on it and was driving and it stopped mid street almost threw my son out the front windshield. Took it to Nissan $4800 to replace. Bought vehicle with CVT transmission being sold as "smoothness". but in reality it has been a complete nightmare that Nissan ignores on the maximas.
Alternator loses power and car doesn't accelerate. Vehicle shuts down and will not start after. When running diagnostics after everything shows fine and after a jump car works again and reads fine. Happens again after driving for 40+ mins
Engine complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Nissan Maxima, 14% of the model year's 142 complaints. The component named most often is engine › crank/camshaft position sensor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Nissan Maxima engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2016 Nissan Maxima, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Nissan Maxima engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.