NissanMaxima2016Overview/nissan/maxima/2016/base/

2016 Nissan Maxima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Maxima.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AV-S7)

The 2016 Nissan Maxima is a full-size passenger car equipped with an Automatic (AV-S7) transmission, achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, positioning it as a competitive offering in its segment. In terms of reliability, the model year recorded 142 total owner complaints across various categories, with eight recalls issued for the vehicle, reflecting the typical oversight that accompanies mass-market vehicle production. When placed within the Maxima's complaint history spanning from 1990 to 2023, the 2016 model year shows a notable increase from the record-low of just one complaint logged in 2015, though it remains substantially below the peak of 1,425 complaints recorded in 2004, indicating that while not at its historical reliability nadir, the 2016 Maxima still operates well within a more refined and dependable range compared to earlier generations.

Model year202320222021202020192018201720162014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy22/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · NS CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI NS · NS CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter16546V0100
Spark plug22401EW61C
Front wiper blades288903TA1B alt 288903TA0D
Serpentine belt117206TA0A
Thermostat13050ZA000 alt 212009HP0A
Cabin air filter272773JC1C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.9 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase109.4 in
Curb weight3565 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 30 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume98 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Maxima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.7–6.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.70 sec — 2016 Platinum
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016Platinum 3.5L V65.70 sec14.20 sec300 hpFWD
2016Platinum 3.5L V65.80 sec14.30 sec300 hpFWD
2016SR 3.5L V65.80 sec14.30 sec300 hpFWD
2016SR 3.5L V65.90 sec14.40 sec300 hpFWD
2016SR 3.5L V66.00 sec14.50 sec300 hpFWD
2016SR 3.5L V66.10 sec14.30 sec300 hpFWD
2017Platinum 3.5L V65.70 sec14.20 sec300 hpFWD
2019Platinum 3.5L V65.80 sec14.30 sec300 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidNissan CVT fluid NS-3
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.6
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantUse Nissan long life coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity9.7
Power Steering FluidNissan EPS fluid

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 1st
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts35.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub135.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing12 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.15-1.30 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.00-5.05 oz

Service checks

RPM51 @ idle rpm
Engine Compressionpsi 142-185 / max variation 14 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.012-0.016 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012-0.017 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 25; Rear: 32 /; Front: 25; Rear: 32
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 107; Rear: 62 /; Front: 107; Rear: 62
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.024; Rear: .551
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0016; Rear: .0022
Maximum Drum DiameterParking brake 7.520

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Keyless Entry Remote Battery (replace)
Every 20,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Headlamp (inspect alignment) · Radiator Cap (inspect)
At 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Nissan Maxima is a clear inflection point in the federal record: after 2015 logged only 1 complaint and zero recalls, 2016 jumped to 142 complaints, 8 recalls, 1 investigation, and 277 TSBs—the highest counts in the entire 2015–2023 window. The following years form a descending arc, with 2017 at 102 complaints and 4 recalls and 2018 at 36 complaints and 2 recalls, suggesting the 2016 model year absorbed most of the generation’s early-run regulatory activity. The leading complaint areas on the 2016 are Unknown/Other (15), Power Train (12), Air Bags (11), and Service Brakes (7), and there are 10 crash-related and 4 fire complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. That concentration makes 2016 the launch-year outlier rather than a representative year for the generation. Because of the spike in complaints, recalls, TSBs, and safety-related reports, a 2016 Maxima is a riskier used-car bet than the later 2017–2019 models and should only be bought with a clean history report, confirmed recall completion, and a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
277
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
142
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 142 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other15
Power Train12
Air Bags11
Service Brakes7
Electrical System5
Vehicle Speed Control5
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V601000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipReported 07/09/2018

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… 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…

16V911000Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant ClassificationReported 19/12/2016

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima vehicles manufactured January 3, 2013, to July 29, 2013, 2015-2016 Rogue vehicles manufactured October 14, 2014, to August 12, 2016… Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 277 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
WBI/21-0022025-10-03Power TrainCAMPAIGN BULLETIN CVT Warranty Extension In an effort to assure customer satisfaction…
NTB19-042F2025-02-20Electrical SystemAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING APPLIED SYSTEMS: Vehicles equipped…
NTB19-033G2025-02-20Forward Collision AvoidanceINTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Maxima. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Maxima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Maxima get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.