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2016 Nissan Maxima engine problems

20 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 54,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
20
of this car's complaints
14%
typical mileage
54,000
crashes
2
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Engine: crank/camshaft position sensor
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Nissan Maxima engine problems in other years

199019952000200520102022

Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Nissan Maxima engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Stalling 18Loss of power 11Won't start 6

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2016 Nissan Maxima owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 12, 2025 · Body, Engine · MS · fire

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.

Filed Jan 18, 2025 · Engine · TX

Cvt transmision not working

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 Aug 15, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · IN

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.

Filed Jun 17, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · IN

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

Filed Dec 13, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · FL

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. After sitting for a day or so, it will start back up, maybe run 24-72hrs, then it will completely power down again. The car has a brand new battery in it. The alternator is giving out the correct voltage. But something in the charging system and or electrical system is not working. There has to be a shortage or a defect in this models engine. A vehicle with this low of mileage is basically brand new and should NOT have these issues! I am paying for a car I can't even use or rely on. Very frustrated. This will be the last time I ever purchase a Nissan Vehicle.

Filed May 11, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · 100,406 miles · FL

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.

Filed Mar 15, 2023 · Driver assistance, Engine · 167,334 miles · MS

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.

Filed Sep 8, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · IL

What component or system failed or malfunctioned etc. -The Nissan CVT transmission that is used in all Nissan models and has a known history of premature failure. My 2016 Maxima has 48,000 miles and a completely failed transmission. Yes it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -My two kids were in the car with all three times the accelerator stopped working while in motion due to the CVT transmission. All happened in Chicago city traffic. Luckily I was able to coast into a safe position each time but I was lucky not to get stuck in the middle of intersection. -Incident order was the same each time. Accelerator would stop working while in the drive gear. After a minute in park the car would seemingly work again, only for the accelerator to fail again shortly thereafter. Then eventually the electrical system shorted due to the transmission and the car was completely locked up, to the point of not being able to shift into neutral or move the steering wheel. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -The problem has been confirmed via Nissan's settlement of lawsuits relate to the CVT transmission, yet they continue to put them in all new models. My car was inspected by an independent transmission shop and they confirmed the engine computer is producing the "kill code" meaning the transmission is failing. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -I took it to a Nissan dealership for service (Berman Nissan in Chicago) and described exactly the same problems I later found via research about the CVT transmissions. Their service techs said I needed to replace the alternator, which made zero sense so I declined. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? -No warning lamps, only infrequent acceleration problems in the months prior

Filed Oct 23, 2021 · Brakes, Engine · CT · crash

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

Questions about the 2016 Nissan Maxima engine

Does the 2016 Nissan Maxima have engine problems?

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Nissan Maxima, 14% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2016 Nissan Maxima engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 54,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Nissan Maxima engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Nissan Maxima have bad engine?

The Nissan Maxima model years with the most engine complaints are 2004 (121 complaints), 2005 (101 complaints) and 2003 (96 complaints).

Other 2016 Nissan Maxima problems

Transmission 33Electrical 31Brakes 21Acceleration 14Airbags 14Fuel system 10Steering 9Body 8Driver assistance 7Lights 7Visibility 6Wheels 5Seat belts 4Suspension 4Seats 3

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