1986 Nissan Maxima problems
The Nissan Maxima is a car manufactured and marketed by Nissan and offered as Nissan's flagship sedan primarily in North America, the Middle East, South Korea, and China—and currently in its eighth generation. Having debuted for model year 1982 as the Datsun Maxima, it replaced the earlier Datsun 810. The name Maxima dates to the 1981 model year when Datsun marketed the upscale 810 as the 810 Maxima in North America. Like the 810, early versions of the Maxima had their origins in the Datsun/Nissan Bluebird. It is renamed to Nissan Maxima when the Datsun brand was phased out for the 1985 model year.
The Maxima was marketed as an upscale alternative to the Altima and prior to 1993, the Stanza, distinguished by features such as a premium interior and V6 engine. Most Maximas were built in Oppama, Japan, until North American assembly began in Smyrna, Tennessee for the 2004 model year.
For the US and Canada, Nissan ended production of the Maxima in July 2023.
Outside North America, the Maxima nameplate has also been applied to variants or trim levels of several other models.
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Common 1986 Nissan Maxima problems
The Nissan Maxima, produced in 1986, is known for several common problems that have been reported by owners. One of the most prevalent issues is a leaking and low-pressure air conditioning hose, which can lead to reduced cooling efficiency and discomfort for the vehicle's occupants.
Another issue that plagues the 1986 Nissan Maxima is transmission malfunction and failure, which is the worst problem category for this model year. This issue can be caused by various factors, including worn-out clutch plates, damaged synchronizers, or a malfunctioning transmission control module. To address this problem, the transmission may need to be repaired or replaced, which can be a costly and time-consuming process.
The 1986 Nissan Maxima also suffers from a faulty front-seat wire harness, which can cause intermittent electrical issues, such as malfunctioning power windows, seats, or mirrors. However, this issue can be difficult to diagnose, as it may manifest itself in various ways and may be intermittent in nature.
In addition to these common problems, the 1986 Nissan Maxima may also suffer from ignition coil failure, which can cause the check engine light to turn on and may damage other coils due to feedback through the wiring harness. This issue typically occurs around 130,000 miles and can cost between $500 and $660 to repair.
Finally, the 1986 Nissan Maxima is known for a power steering pump issue that may be difficult to diagnose and can cause noisy and unstable steering due to power steering pump leaks.
In conclusion, the 1986 Nissan Maxima is known for several common problems that can affect its performance, reliability, and safety. These issues include leaking and low-pressure air conditioning hoses, transmission malfunction and failure, faulty front-seat wire harnesses, ignition coil failure, and power steering pump leaks. While some of these problems can be resolved with relatively simple and inexpensive repairs, others may require more extensive and costly interventions. It is essential for owners of the 1986 Nissan Maxima to be aware of these common problems and to seek professional help when necessary to ensure the safety and reliability of their vehicle.
What is the common problem with Nissan Maxima?
A prevalent concern among Nissan Maxima owners is a leaking and low-pressure air conditioning (AC) hose, often causing the AC to blow warm air. This issue is notably frequent in 2001 and 2004-2012 models, typically surfacing around 87,000 miles.
Are old Nissan Maximas good cars?
According to CarComplaints, Nissan Maxima 2004-2008 are the years to avoid. Any year before 2004, although it might not have the best reliability due to being an older model, will serve you well.
What year Maxima has bad transmission?
What year did Nissan have transmission problems? Nissan has had various transmission problems over the years with its various models. Some of those that have been known to experience transmission issues include the 2004-2009 Nissan Murano, the 2004-2006 Nissan Maxima, and the 2005-2007 Nissan Pathfinder.
Is the Nissan Maxima a reliable car?
RepairPal gave the Nissan Maxima a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, ranking it 9th out of 32 car brands in the same category. The Nissan Maxima suffers from a few common problems, including a leaking and low-pressure air conditioning hose, transmission malfunction and failure, and a faulty front-seat wire harness.
1986 Nissan Maxima car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Nissan Maxima problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
- Electrical system problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Seat belts problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1986 Nissan Maxima vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1986 Nissan Maxima
The NHTSA has received 67 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1986 Nissan Maxima. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1986 Nissan Maxima vehicles.
EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN1HU11S5HT
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: THE OZONE PRODUCED BY THE FAN BRUSHES OF THE INTERNAL FAN BLOWER IS NOT VENTED TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR BUT TO THE INTERNAL PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. LONG EXPOSURE TO OZONE WILL SHOW UP IN CHEST X-RAY AS CLOUDING OF THE LUNGS. I DO NOT HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO MEASURE THE LEVELS OF OZONE CONCENTRATION AND WAS HOPING THAT NHTSA HAS THAT CAPABILITY. MR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-05-18
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JN1HU1156GT
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: SUSPECT FUEL INJECTION CAUSED FIRE. DEALER WORKED ON PROBLEM WITH GAS FUMES APX 6 WEEKS PRIOR AND DID NOT CHECK FOR RECALL ON INJECTION SYSTEM. NISSSAN CONTACTED AND DENIES INVESTIGATION.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-01-08
- VIN: JN1HU11S0GT
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM ON MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED SOMETIMES IN 1997. NOW, I EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE: SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER, AND SMELL OF FUEL. I CONTACTED NISSAN. THE COMPANY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT THE DEALER PUT IN MY CAR. THEY TOLD ME THAT IF THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED AGAIN, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED.
SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-01-10
- VIN: JN1HU11SXGT
- Components: SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
- Summary: CAR GARAGE KEPT FROM NEW/FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT ONLY IN THE AREA WHERE THE REAR ANTI SWAY BAR ATTACHES/RIGHT SIDE HAS DETACHED/LEFT SIDE ABOUT TO LET GO/IS CAR SAFE/ 85,86, AND 87 SAME PLATFORM?*AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-10-01
- VIN: JN1HU11S1GT
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: MANUAL TRANSMISSION THROW OUT BEARING FAILED. NLM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-02-14
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JN1H211S5GT
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE FUEL INJECTORS . CONSUMER SAID THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-04-10
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JN1HU11A4GT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: AFTER VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND PARKED FOR ABOUT 5-7 MINUTES, IT BURSTED INTO FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID FLAMES CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ENTIRE HOOD WAS DAMAGED BY FIRE. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-11-07
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JN1HU1158GX
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 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
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-10-23
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JN1HU11S6GT
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: GAS WAS LEAKING OFF THE BACK OF THE FUEL INJECTOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. THERE IS A SAFETY CAMPAIGN OUT ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER STATES THAT SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION. SHE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-01-15
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JN1HU11S9GT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING ALONG SMELLED GAS, AND KIND OF IGNORED IT BECAUSE WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH AUTOMOBILE. KEPT GOING AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS AUTOMOBILE WAS ON FIRE- HE RECEIVED HELP TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-08-01
- VIN: JN1HU11S1GT
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (95I006000) & MADE APPT. TOOK VEHICLE IN. WORK WAS DONE. VEHILCE FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. TOOK IT BACK. INFORMED ANOTHER PART IS NEEDED THAT'S NOT ON RECALL & OWNER WOULD HAVE TO PAY. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-04-29
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JN1HU1176GT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: TURNED ON THE IGNITION AND FLAMES SHOT OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN1HU1154GT
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: OWNER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR HIS FUEL INJECTORS AND WAS TOLD THAT PARTS WERE NOT GOING TO BE AVAILABE FOR 6 MONTHS. RECALL NO.951006000. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-01-24
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: DEALER SAYS NO PARTS AVAILABLE, IT WOULD BE A FEW MONTHS BEFORE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-08-23
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JNIHV11596T
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL INJECTOR LEAK CAUSED VEHICLE FIRE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN1HU11S5GX
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: AFTER HAVING THE FUEL INJECTION SERVICE CAMPAIGN REPAIR WORK DONE, THE VEHICLE IS SMOKING AND SOMETIMES IS HARD TO START. *AK
STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-11-08
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JNHU11S8GX8
- Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-08-23
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JN1HU11596T
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL INJECTOR FIRE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-11-05
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JN1HU11SXGX
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE ENGINE DUE TO FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURE RECEIVED RECALL LETTER 95I006000. PEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-10-29
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JN1HU11SXGT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD CONSUMER BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE THEN SAW BLACK SMOKE COMING UP THROUGH THE DASH, AFTER GETTING OUT AND OPENING HOOD THE FLAMES TOOK OVER. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-10-22
- VIN: JN1HU1195GT
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-08-23
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JN1HU1159G7
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE--CAUSE UNKNOWN.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-03-27
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JN1HU15S9GX
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED AT 9:00 POSITION, VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, DRIVER'S SIDE LAP/SHOULDER DID NOT RETRACT. SEAT BELT RELEASED AND UNLATCHED DUE TO IMPACT. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-06-12
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JN1HV11S6GX
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL INJECTOR LEAKED, CAUSING FIRE. *DH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-07-09
- Fire: 1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: 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
1986 Nissan Maxima recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1986 Nissan Maxima.
- Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
- Summary: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WHICH COULD LEAK.
- Consequence: FUEL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Remedy: NISSAN DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
- Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Components: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
- Summary: 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.
- Remedy: ADD MORE ADHESIVE TO BOTTOM OF FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1986 Nissan Maxima problems:
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