2016 NISSAN MAXIMA Electrical System Problems

31 complaints about Electrical System

31
Complaints
3
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Electrical System Complaints (31)

Jun 27, 2025

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 and found the discrepancy, and that the vehicle had been involved in a crash in the past. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 78,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was approximately 118,000.

Mileage: 118,000

May 23, 2025

The power on the dashboard goes out and I have no way of knowing my speed, the milage, or any other information on how the vehicle is operating. The radio and other dashboard instruments are off the screens are black and I can't receive any information on how the vehicle is operating. Our safety is at risk since when this happens, we don't know if it would stop abruptly and cause an accident. We have not taken it to a dealer yet but are scheduling an appointment. No other parties have inspected the vehicle yet. The Warning that came across the radio screen was this: Check the Map SD Memory Card Please see the owner's manual in detail SET: QY8100NA Application: 102 SNO: 00010697 Application: 107 E-CODE: NK-SD-11 This first happened in the later part of March on the 28th of this year. The Dash does this off and on thing randomly and sometimes it runs fine. The owner's manual didn't help.

May 9, 2025

Battery light keeps turning on and brake light. Replaced alternator and battery after my vehicle stalled on me on the road, but the issue and problem is still on going.

Sep 7, 2024

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.

Jul 17, 2024

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.

Mileage: 57,800

Jun 27, 2024

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 start. Next day go to get it towed yet started no problem acceleration was fine alternator voltage was normal range. Few weeks later battery was dead which I have replaced. Alternator voltage still reads normal. I get about 20 minutes driving and battery light pops on eventually soon power steering and traction control goes out then car will die. If leave it few hrs 2-4hr an come back is fine. But can't drive 20min before it is a problem again. Has caused serious finacial strain and still paying for vehicle close to loosing employment it dies everyday then I have to pay for ride home and to go back to get it later. Have gotting stuck in intersection car just stops working. People have almost crashed into me because i cant get it off the road. Electrical or software computer problem somewhere.

Mar 27, 2024

I see multiple issues online about people replacing alternators on multiple Nissan vehicles and I can only imagine the frustration that Nissan has not been ordered to address their IPDM issue. Dealers and repair shops continue to struggle with this diagnosis.

Dec 13, 2023

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.

Oct 12, 2023

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.

Sep 15, 2023 Crash

How are ya'll? This is a request to The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration for vehicle repairs. As mentioned, this is in reference to a vehicle 2016 Nissan Maxima review for vehicle repairs. The mentioned vehicle, 2016 Nissan Maxima (VIN: [XXX] ) is owned by [XXX] II, confirmed by United Services Automobile Association (USAA) in March of 2023. The mentioned vehicle was involved in a weather related collision in July of 2021. The Cause No [XXXXXXXXXXX] went through review in the Bexar County Districts Courts. During which time, there were court ordered mediation: it was confirmed by [XXX] with USAA that the security system was deactivated in the Nissan Maxima. [XXX] with USAA also indicated that the mentioned vehicle was paid in full. Be advised Mr. [XXX] falsely presented facts in the court of law as indicated by the collection document dated August of 2023, which was emailed to Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. The most recent hearing for Bexar County District Courts was a Trial based on the Merits in January of 2023. As mentioned there was a request for review sent to for repairs of the Nissan Maxima, with the intent to return to owner [XXX] II. This is a request for review to the The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration of Cause No [XXXXXXXXXX] with respect to the state inspection pass of Nissan Maxima for years 2021, 2022, and 2023. Repairs include Body, Parts, and Frame Alignment (Set up and measure damage from unbodily clamps) ; Cosmetic- Chrome Tire/Wheel Alignment and Repair; Repair/Pull right quarter panel; Repair/pull left quarter panel, automatic flex additive; Body, Frame, and Mechanical Labor; Paint supplies and labor, Automatic Corrosion Protection; Hazardous Waste, Recycle Part, and Miscellaneous. This should include a pre-tax discount. Looking forward to hearing from y'all. Stay safe, stay cool, stay fresh, be healthy. -[XXXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Jan 21, 2023

Vehicle has acceleration issues. Started June 2022 and has continued frequently since. Will randomly stop accelerating then if I try to let off the gas pedal and apply again it shudders so hard it shakes the car. After trying 3-4 times it will accelerate again. The RPM will shoot down to 1 and straight back up to 1.5-2. Maintenance shop has been unable to figure out what’s wrong but it seems many 2016 Maxima owners are having similar issues. Why has there not been a recall to fix this issue? It becomes a serious danger when driving on highways or at high speeds. Someone’s going to get hurt because if this!

Sep 8, 2022

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

Aug 12, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to lose power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal but the vehicle failed to respond. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to exit the highway and managed to drive the vehicle to the local dealer. The local dealer diagnosed that the alternator had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure reoccurred and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an unknown second dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the alternator had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the second dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was associated with the alternator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

Mileage: 84,000

Jun 20, 2022

My car has stopped acceleration while driving 4 times. Had alternator replaced and transmission reprogrammed. It's currently in shop now for issue. Last 3 times nissan repair says they don't see anything wrong. The car remains on and you can ref up engine. Just will not go once in drive. This is a safety issue bc there's no warning sign. Have almost been hit twice due to sudden lost of acceleration. Cars behind me slammed on break once I was in middle of traffic. Very scary situation.

May 13, 2022

It is random when it happens but this will be the third time this has happened. While driving my car will stop, the car will still be running, steering wheel is stiff and I’m not able to accelerate and sometimes brake. It is very dangerous! This car should have a recall!

Apr 26, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the vehicle was blowing out hot air when the AC unit was on. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where they informed them the compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed me the AC switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was unknown.

Nov 4, 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated the vehicle was unable to recognize the key fob inside the vehicle while attempting to start the vehicle. The contact stated a warning message was illuminated to keep the key fob close to the push to start button. The contact called the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the key fob battery to be replaced. The key fob battery was changed but continued to experience the failure. The contact also stated that the vehicle was also stalling. The contact took the vehicle to Paul Miller Nissan (930 Kings Hwy E, Fairfield, CT 06825: (203) 335-3181) where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission and the crankshaft sensor to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

Oct 15, 2021

I was driving and it all of a sudden shut off on me without warning causing safety issues because I was involved the middle of traffic

Aug 24, 2021

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.

Aug 4, 2021

Vehicle shut down , while driving would not accelerate

Feb 7, 2021

TUESDAY, DEC. 22 MY 2016 NISSAN MAXIMA JUST SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IN HAYWARD, CA NEAR INDUSTRIAL RD. CALLED TRIPLE AAA WHO JUMPED THE BATTERY AND A SHORT DISTANCE LATER ON HWY 880 THE CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN, I WAS TOWED OFF THE FREEWAY BY CALTRANS. ON JANUARY 4, IT SHUT OFF AGAIN WHILE ON A CITY STREETS. A CO-WORKERS HUSBAND REPLACED THE BATTERY AND I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE IT HOME. JAN. 30 A MECHANIC LOOKED AT RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I DROVE IT WITHOUT ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES FROM EL CERRITO TO SAN RAFAEL THE WEEK. ON FEB. 5 WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREETS IN OAKLAND, THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. WHILE WAITING FOR AAA IT STARTED AGAIN BY THE TIME AAA ARRIVED IT HAD STOPPED AGAIN. LUCKILY THIS HASN'T CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. AND WHILE I SEE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE REPORTED HERE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP ONLY WANTS TO CHARGE ME $190 TO DIAGNOSTICS WHEN THEY KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE. THIS ISSUE IS A TICKING TIME BOMB FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURS AND NISSAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Mileage: 80,000

Dec 28, 2020

SEAT WILL NOT LET UP BUT WILL GO BACKWARDS.

Mileage: 70,000

Jun 30, 2020

DRIVER SEAT, SEAT BELT LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE IF NOT BUCKLED UP SEAT DOESN'T DETECT WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE IN IT AND THEY AREN'T BUCKLED. *TR

Mar 26, 2020 Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. ADDITIONALLY, AFTER THE CRASH THE 4 DOORS WERE UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND RESCUED THE DRIVER FROM THE VEHICLE BY BREAKING THE WINDOW. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES AFTER THE CRASH THE DOORS WERE ABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND NO MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. *BF*JB

Mileage: 54,000

May 24, 2019

ON APRIL 26, 2019 WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE AS I ENTERED INTO TRAFFIC AND INSTEAD LOST POWER AND WOULD GO NO MORE THAN 9 MPH AS I APPLIED MAXIMUM PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL. AT THE SAME TIME THE CAR BECAME HARD TO STEER AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT. THE CAR STARTED BUT WITHOUT POWER TO ACCELERATE AND I SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AGAIN. I WAITED AND RESTARTED A FEW MORE TIMES AND IT EVENTUALLY RESTARTED. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND THEY PERFORMED A RECALL. THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN ON MAY 9, 2019 AND AGAIN ON MAY 17, 2019. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOSES THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WHILE AND HAS SO LITTLE POWER THAT THE MAX SPEED IS LESS THEN 10MPH. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS IN MOTION HAPPENS.

Mileage: 68,500

Oct 25, 2018 Fire

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE PUMP LEAKED BRAKE FLUID ONTO A CIRCUIT BOARD, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE BEING TOTALED OUT . THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY FOR ABOUT 12 HOURS IN FRONT OF HOME. WHILE ON FIRE THE VEHICLE STARTED ITSELF UP WITHOUT ANYONE BEING IN THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 50,000

Mar 28, 2018

VEHICLE HAS HEAVY FOGGING OF PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WHICH HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY EVIDENT. THE SYMPTOM HAS PROGRESSED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES IN THE FORM OF FLICKERING HEADLIGHTS AND INCONSISTENT DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS WHEN THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE WET ENOUGH. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ONE PHOTO I HAVE TAKEN REVEALS WHAT IS AN APPARENT INTERNAL CRACK IN THE ASSEMBLY. THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY ANY EXTERNAL FORCES, IMPACT, ETC. IT IS INTERNAL TO THE ASSEMBLY.

Mileage: 39,700

Nov 24, 2017 Crash

TAKATA RECALL I WAS TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY 121 AT ABOUT 70 MILES AN HOUR CRUISE CONTROL IS SET THE LADY IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES I INTERN SLAMMED ON MINE AND MY CAR DID NOT STOP UNTIL HITTING HER THE BRAKES SEEM TO HAVE THAT LIKE THEY WEREN'T STOPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR IN THE CAR MADE A REALLY REALLY AWKWARD AWKWARD SOUND I DID END UP WITH A LITTLE DAMAGE ON MY FRONT BUMPER NO INJURIES AND HAD TO MAKE AN INSURANCE CLAIM FOR HER BUMPER. MY POWER STEERING IN MY VEHICLE ALSO GOES IN AND OUT AND NO LEAK HAS BEEN FOUND.

Mileage: 9,000

Mar 7, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT LOST POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPLACED THE VALVE ASSEMBLY, SEAL LIP, STRAINER ASSEMBLY, CLIP, OIL PAN GASKET, O-RING SEAL, WASHER DRAIN, AND NS-3 CVT TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,131.

Mileage: 13,131

Feb 20, 2017 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.

Mileage: 13,500

Apr 8, 2016

FRONT BUMPER CLIP WAS BROKEN, STILL WAITING FOR DEALER TO REPLACE BUMPER. LEFT TAIL LIGHT HAS WATER IN IT.

Mileage: 100