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  • Updated for 2026
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Nissan Maxima Recalls

NHTSA has issued 12 safety recalls for the Nissan Maxima, covering model years 2001 through 2020. Brake faults account for 5 of them, more than any other part of the vehicle. The 2016 model year has the most, with 8 separate campaigns against it. The largest single recall covered 3,296,947 vehicles. The most recent was reported to NHTSA on September 22, 2020.

Urgent safety advisory on the Nissan Maxima

2 recalls below tell owners to park outside and away from buildings, because the vehicle can catch fire while parked and switched off.

Check your own VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether these apply to your car.

Total recalls
12
Model years affected
8
Most recalled part
Brake
Latest recall
2020

Nissan Maxima recalls by model year

How many campaigns were issued against each model year. One recall often covers several years at once, so these add up to more than the 12 total.

20201 recall20191 recall20182 recalls20174 recalls20168 recalls20032 recalls20022 recalls20012 recalls

All Nissan Maxima recalls

Each entry is an official NHTSA campaign, shown with the defect, consequence, and remedy exactly as the manufacturer reported them, newest first.

20V570000VisibilityReported September 22, 2020

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Model years affected: 2020

The problem

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.

What can happen

Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC752.

Vehicles affected
150
Maker's recall no.
PC752
Owners notified
November 4, 2020
Read campaign 20V570000 on NHTSA.gov ↗
20V008000AirbagReported January 9, 2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Model years affected: 2001–2003

The problem

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

What can happen

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

Vehicles affected
307,962
Owners notified
February 12, 2020
Read campaign 20V008000 on NHTSA.gov ↗
19V807000BrakeReported November 8, 2019
NHTSA advises: park outside, away from buildingsAffected vehicles can catch fire even when parked and switched off. Keep the vehicle away from structures until it is repaired.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Model years affected: 2016–2018

The problem

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.

What can happen

A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix

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.

Vehicles affected
391,479
Owners notified
December 16, 2019
Read campaign 19V807000 on NHTSA.gov ↗
19V654000Backup cameraReported September 12, 2019

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Model years affected: 2018–2019

The problem

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

What can happen

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

The fix

Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Vehicles affected
1,228,830
Owners notified
November 11, 2019
Safety standard
FMVSS 111
Read campaign 19V654000 on NHTSA.gov ↗
18V601000BrakeReported September 7, 2018
NHTSA advises: park outside, away from buildingsAffected vehicles can catch fire even when parked and switched off. Keep the vehicle away from structures until it is repaired.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Model years affected: 2016–2017

The problem

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.

What can happen

A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix

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.

Vehicles affected
215,124
Owners notified
October 29, 2018
Read campaign 18V601000 on NHTSA.gov ↗
16V911000AirbagReported December 19, 2016

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Model years affected: 2016

The problem

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, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured June 4, 2015, to August 19, 2015. An incorrect Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have been installed in the front passenger seat. The incorrect ECU and seat combination may misclassify the front passenger seat occupant.

What can happen

If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix

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 service at 1-800-647-7261.

Vehicles affected
757
Owners notified
February 13, 2017
Read campaign 16V911000 on NHTSA.gov ↗
16V636000BrakeReported September 2, 2016

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Model years affected: 2016–2017

The problem

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.

What can happen

A brake fluid leak onto the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix

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.

Vehicles affected
120,329
Owners notified
December 12, 2016
Read campaign 16V636000 on NHTSA.gov ↗
16V244000AirbagReported April 26, 2016

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Model years affected: 2016–2017

The problem

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.

What can happen

If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

The fix

Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Vehicles affected
3,296,947
Owners notified
June 10, 2016
Read campaign 16V244000 on NHTSA.gov ↗
16V193000BrakeReported April 7, 2016

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Model years affected: 2016

The problem

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.

What can happen

Insufficient brake fluid pressure may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix

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.

Vehicles affected
12,616
Owners notified
May 16, 2016
Read campaign 16V193000 on NHTSA.gov ↗
15V733000BrakeReported November 5, 2015

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Model years affected: 2016

The problem

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.

What can happen

If the bolts were not properly tightened, the caliper may detach and reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix

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.

Vehicles affected
119
Owners notified
December 14, 2015
Read campaign 15V733000 on NHTSA.gov ↗
15V486000Fuel systemReported August 4, 2015

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Model years affected: 2016

The problem

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the agency on July 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 18, 2015. On October 14, 2015, Nissan expanded the recall to cover an additional 41,388 vehicles, including certain model year 2013-2015 Altima 3.5 vehicles equipped with a V6 engine manufactured March 30, 2012, to August 18, 2015 as well as the vehicles covered by the July 31, 2015 notification. In the affected vehicles, due to an improperly installed o-ring that may not have been seated correctly at the time of assembly, fuel may leak during a crash from the area where the fuel sending unit attaches to the fuel tank.

What can happen

If fuel leaks from between the fuel sending unit and the tank, it may increase the risk of a fire in the event of a crash.

The fix

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit. The recall began on September 28, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Vehicles affected
46,846
Owners notified
September 28, 2015
Read campaign 15V486000 on NHTSA.gov ↗
15V287000AirbagReported May 15, 2015

AIR BAGS

Model years affected: 2001–2003

The problem

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

What can happen

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.

Vehicles affected
1,090,569
Owners notified
June 15, 2015
Read campaign 15V287000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

What to do if your Nissan Maxima is on this list

A recall listed here applies to a range of vehicles, not to every car of that model year. Manufacturers narrow it down by build date and VIN, so the only way to know whether yours is included is to check the VIN. You can do that free on NHTSA's recall lookup, or by calling any franchised dealer for that brand with your VIN in hand.

Recall repairs are free. Under federal law the manufacturer has to fix a safety defect at no charge, and there is no mileage limit and no expiry on that obligation for vehicles under 15 years old. A dealer cannot charge you for the parts, the labour, or the diagnosis on a recall repair, and you do not need to have bought the car there. If a dealer asks you to pay, that is worth escalating to the manufacturer's customer line, which is listed in the remedy text of each recall above.

Recalls do not block a title transfer or registration in any state. You can legally buy, sell, or register a car with an open recall, and sellers are generally not required to fix one first. That said, an open recall is worth raising before money changes hands, especially one with a do-not-drive advisory. If you are buying, run the VIN before you hand over the payment; if you are selling, telling the buyer about an open recall costs you nothing and avoids a dispute later.

Nissan Maxima recall questions

How many recalls does the Nissan Maxima have?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the Nissan Maxima across model years 2001 to 2020. That count covers recalls filed from 2010 onward. Not every campaign applies to every car of that model year, because manufacturers limit recalls by build date and VIN.

Which Nissan Maxima model year has the most recalls?

The 2016 Nissan Maxima carries the most, with 8 recall campaigns. A high count does not automatically mean a worse car: a single supplier fault can trigger a recall across an entire production run, and manufacturers that report problems quickly tend to show more campaigns.

Are Nissan Maxima recall repairs free?

Yes. Federal law requires the manufacturer to repair a safety recall at no cost, including parts and labour, on vehicles under 15 years old. There is no mileage limit, and you do not have to be the original owner or have bought the car from that dealer.

Can I sell or register a Nissan Maxima with an open recall?

Yes. An open recall does not stop a title transfer or registration in any state, and private sellers are generally not required to repair one first. Dealers face stricter rules on some safety recalls. If you are buying, check the VIN before you pay; the repair is free, but you want to know what you are taking on.

Other Nissan recalls

Nissan Rogue recalls43Nissan Pathfinder recalls39Nissan Altima recalls32Nissan Sentra recalls32Nissan Frontier recalls27Nissan Titan recalls27

Where this data comes from

Every recall on this page is published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the federal agency that oversees vehicle safety recalls in the United States. We pull the full recall file from NHTSA and reproduce the campaign number, defect description, consequence, and remedy exactly as the manufacturer reported them. NHTSA data is in the public domain.

Source:
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
NHTSA data as of:
July 18, 2026
Coverage:
Recalls from 2010 onward
Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov ↗

Buying or selling this car?

🔧All Nissan recalls→🔑Paperwork for buying a used car→📝Paperwork for selling a car→📄Title transfer rules by state→📑Vehicle registration documents explained→🚗Recalls by make and model→

Last reviewed: 2026-07-18 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Independent resource · Not legal advice

⚠ Independent resource — check your VIN before actingCar Paperwork is not affiliated with NHTSA, any manufacturer, or any dealer. This page lists recalls issued for a model, which is not the same as a recall on your car: only a VIN check confirms that. Recall records are also updated by NHTSA continuously, so treat this as a starting point and confirm anything urgent with NHTSA or a franchised dealer. Nothing here is legal or repair advice.