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1986 Nissan Maxima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1986 Nissan Maxima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 99.

About this comparison →
60Owner complaints

Model-year median: 99

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
5
198330
198454
198560
1986176
198760
198862
1989
Compare all Maxima years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Fuel System, Gasoline
36Electrical System
10Engine And Engine Cooling
9Seat Belts
5Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2
All reported categories
Steering
2Suspension
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Equipment
1Power Train
1Structure
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 60 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports36 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

9 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A DRIVE-THROUG THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HOOD STARTED SMOKING. THE CONSUMER AS SOON AS SHE SAW THE SMOKE SHE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF PARKING LOT WHERE SHE HAS SEEN THE VEHICLE ON FIRE; THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND THEY SAID THE FIRE HAD STARTED ON THE ENGINE. A MECHANIC SAID EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS BURNE…

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WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A DRIVE-THROUG THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HOOD STARTED SMOKING. THE CONSUMER AS SOON AS SHE SAW THE SMOKE SHE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF PARKING LOT WHERE SHE HAS SEEN THE VEHICLE ON FIRE; THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND THEY SAID THE FIRE HAD STARTED ON THE ENGINE. A MECHANIC SAID EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS BURNED, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #820122

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1996
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFire

PARKED ALL DAY; DROVE LESS THAN TWO MILES, WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK FIRE WAS CAUSED DUE TO A FUEL LEAK, RECALL 95I006 DESCRIBES PROBLEMS CONSUMER EXPERIENCED. ENGINE BELTS REPLACED. STRUT FAILURE CAUSED NOISE WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS. SPARK PLUGS REPLACED. FR…

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PARKED ALL DAY; DROVE LESS THAN TWO MILES, WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK FIRE WAS CAUSED DUE TO A FUEL LEAK, RECALL 95I006 DESCRIBES PROBLEMS CONSUMER EXPERIENCED. ENGINE BELTS REPLACED. STRUT FAILURE CAUSED NOISE WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS. SPARK PLUGS REPLACED. FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS REPLACED, ROTORS TURNED. POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #804868

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 1996
Engine And Engine Cooling

MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE.

NHTSA ODI #510733

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE--CAUSE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #510293

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFire

DRIVING VEHICLE, STOPPED AT LIGHT, NOTICED SMOKE NEAR WINDSHIELD, THOUGHT WAS OTHER VEHICLE, PULLED OVER TO GAS STATION, LIFTED HOOD, NOTICED FIRE, DID NOT HAVE EXTINGUISHER, CALLED FIRE DEPT WHO PUT FLAMES OUT.AK

NHTSA ODI #800499

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFire

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE, NO ONE WAS INJURED . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK

NHTSA ODI #800274

Mileage unknown · May 6, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

DRIVING VEHICLE, SMELLED SMOKE, STOPPED VEHICLE, LIFT HOOD OF VEHICLE, FLAMES SHOT UP QUICKLY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #984069

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)*SD

NHTSA ODI #501322

Mileage unknown · May 3, 1995
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat BeltsSteering

SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE, RESULTING IN FAILURE. TT

NHTSA ODI #964784

Official recalls

1

86V096000 · Visibility:windshield

Jul 16, 1986

THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT THICKNESS OF ADHESIVE IN THE CONTACT AREA BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS AND THE BODY. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS LACK OF ADHESIVE MAY CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD TO DISMOUNT IN AN ACCIDENT, THUS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 212, WINDSHIELD MOUNTING AND WHICH MAY ALLOW THE OCCUPANTS TO BE EJECTED OUT OF THE CAR, CAUSING MORE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: ADD MORE ADHESIVE TO BOTTOM OF FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA94018 · Fuel Injector Assembly Leakage

Opened Jun 23, 1994 · Closed Nov 8, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.SERVICE CAMPAIGN 95I-006.

PE94018 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Feb 22, 1994 · Closed Jun 23, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available