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2016 Nissan Maxima: ABS light or ABS activating

12 of the 142 complaints about the 2016 Nissan Maxima describe ABS light or ABS activating.

owner complaints
12
of this car's complaints
8%
typical mileage
51,000
recalls
5
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

ABS light or ABS activating by model year

What owners say

Filed Aug 7, 2025 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · AR

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. The vehicle was shaking abnormally while driving, with an unknown warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle was shaking abnormally while the brake pedal was depressed. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to Auto Zone, where it was determined that the failure was a CVT failure. The contact called the local dealer, and a diagnostic test was advised. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Feb 1, 2025 · Airbags, Brakes · LA

I can be going at a regular rate of speed and my car would stall completely the abs light comes on and it drains my battery causing my car to shut off.

Filed Dec 13, 2024 · FL · fire

On [XXX] approximately around [XXX] My Nissan Maximum was on fire while I was at work. I begin working at 8:30 am and the vehicle was parked two hours later my coworker ran telling me my car was on fire. The police and fire rescue was called to the scene. The police inspected my vehicle and I have the police report. On 12/13/24 at 1:32pm I spoke with Vaibhav the consumer Affairs Representative from Nissan Manufacturer and he confirmed the vehicle has two recalls on the ABS braking system. My vehicle is available for inspection upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 7, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · VA

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.

Filed Jul 17, 2024 · Acceleration, Electrical · 57,800 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, the vehicle failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Alpine Nissan of Denver (2400 W 104th Ave, Denver, CO 80234) where it was diagnosed and determined that the alternator had stopped routing electricity after overheating. The contact was advised by the local dealer that the transmission needed to be replaced and related to failure to Technical Service Bulletin: NTB17-039P (Transmission Judder); which was related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,800.

Filed Oct 12, 2023 · Electrical · RI

While driving on the highway the car will lose power and acceleration, unable to accelerate. Power steering will begin to slowly lock up. After trying to safely pull over, ABS, battery and traction control light comes on. Then when I turned off the car, the car will not turn back on. Had to get the car towed to dealership. Car is now there, technician determined to be alternator issue. I read other similar situations on forum website with people dealing with same issue with same year, make and model.

Filed Feb 15, 2023 · Brakes · FL

The car has an abs light on and the word BRAKE in red on the dashboard it can't excel or brake and if it does it's jolting then stops

Filed Aug 15, 2021 · TX

I first experienced this problem before January 2021. While driving the car it will suddenly experience a loss of power while stepping on the gas. It will do this under normal driving conditions. It has done it while I am driving straight on a street or highway or when I am turning a corner. I have narrowly missed being rear-ended or broad sided when it does it. I took it to Ingram Park Nissan in San Antonio January 2021 and they told me the problem was a bad battery. I had them replace it. (I am an over-the road truck driver and don't drive the car very often since I am usually on the road for 2-3 weeks at a time. There are times that I have only driven the car less than 75 miles when I come home and the car won't always lose power.) The car has continued to have the same problem. I took it in to Ancira Nissan at the manufacturers request on 8-3-21. They diagnosed the problem as being a bad battery and alternator. I had them replaced and picked up the car on 8-14-21. While driving the car later on in the evening on 8-14-21 I experienced the same problem. Ancira had the car for 11 days and it is still not fixed. I don't know exactly what component or system is failing and Nissan doesn't seem to know as well. When the problem occurs several lights will come on on the dash (traction control, ABS, air bag, seat belt, a triangle with an exclamation point). There are other Nissan Maxima owners who have posted comments on car websites who are experiencing the same problems. The other owners have said that they have had their cars misdiagnosed by dealers and continue to have the same problem. The problem seems to be mainly happening with 2016 and 2017 Nissan Maximas. I worry that the car will lose power when I least expect it and cause someone to crash into me.

Filed Aug 19, 2020 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 51,000 miles · WA

After a recall service for an ABS actuator, the f.e.b. Light activates for no reason whatsoever. Vehicle will disengage cruise control.

Filed Jan 27, 2020 · Airbags · MN

2016 nissan maxima. Consumer writes in regards to ABS actuator safety recall. *ld the consumer stated there was an ABS actuator recall performed on the vehicle, but continued to receive notices stating the recall was not completed.

Filed Jan 23, 2018 · Brakes · 15,000 miles · IL

I experienced a loss of brake pressure when starting my car and was able to stop the car only from a low speed. The car was towed to the closest dealer, martin nissan in skokie il. The dealer reported a fluid leak and that the master cylinder had failed. The dealer replaced the master cylinder but still observed that there was still a loss of brake pressure. The dealer then replaced the ABS brake actuator which resolved the brake pressure issue. The ABS brake actuator has been replaced twice before on this vehicle, once under the federal safety agency safety recall campaign 16v193000 and once under the federal safety agency safety recall campaign 16v636000.

Filed Feb 20, 2017 · Electrical · 13,500 miles · OH · fire

In late november 2016 the ABS and other warning lights on my 2016 nissan maxima began intermittently appearing on the dashboard. I notified the dealership and was told to mention it during the next service appointment which was scheduled for december 27. At the appointment I was notified of several recalls and the vehicle was kept overnight. When I picked it up the next day the service department indicated that they could not reproduce the issue. I was also notified that there was a recall on an ABS brake actuator pump however the part was back ordered from nissan. The service department asked me and to take a picture of the dash if the indicator lights appeared again. Approximately 1 week later the lights reappeared and I took the attached photo. I notified the dealership and they indicated they would look at it when the recall part was installed and would schedule an appointment once the part arrived. On january 19, 2017 the car caught fire after sitting for over 2 hours and burned to a total loss. At no time was I notified that the recall was a fire hazard. Since the incident I have filed a case with nissan however they have taken over a month to respond and by the time they inspect the vehicle it will be over 45 days. The vehicle has been inspected by my insurance company and all indicators point to a defective part.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipReported November 8, 2019 · 391,479 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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‑601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.
Risk
A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑867‑7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

Recall number 19V807000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipReported September 7, 2018 · 215,124 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑867‑7669. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

Recall number 18V601000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipReported September 2, 2016 · 120,329 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 Intelligent Cruise Control, and 2015-2016 Murano Hybrid vehicles manufactured August 22, 2014, to July 19, 2016. The affected vehicles have Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps that may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal electrical circuit board.
Risk
A brake fluid leak onto the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS Actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑647‑7261. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

Recall number 16V636000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipReported April 7, 2016 · 12,616 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 (VDC). The ABS actuator may have a damaged O-ring that may result in a lack of brake fluid pressure.
Risk
Insufficient brake fluid pressure may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ABS actuator, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 16, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑647‑7261.

Recall number 16V193000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliperReported November 5, 2015 · 119 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If the bolts were not properly tightened, the caliper may detach and reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will check the brake caliper mounting bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑647‑7261.

Recall number 15V733000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2016 Nissan Maxima abs

Is ABS light or ABS activating a common problem on the 2016 Nissan Maxima?

12 of 142 owner complaints about the 2016 Nissan Maxima (8%) mention ABS light or ABS activating. The model year with the most reports is 2006.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Nissan Maxima?

There are 5 recalls and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2016 Nissan Maxima

CVT failure 18Stalling 18Loss of power 11Fire or smoke 6Headlights 6Jerking 6Sunroof shattered 6Won't start 6Transmission failure 5

All model years of the Nissan Maxima

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