Model year guide

1996 Nissan Maxima

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Nissan Maxima is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 36 on record.

1996 Nissan Maxima — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1996 Nissan Maxima at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints106
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$848

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

1996 Nissan Maxima recalls 5

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #08E050000 · 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E049000 · 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

1996 Nissan Maxima common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

1996 Nissan Maxima MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,600

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 1996 Nissan Maxima worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$848
High
$1,200

From 25 comparable 1996 Nissan Maxima listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1996 Nissan Maxima costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,000
Fuel only$18,000
Per mile$0.24

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1996 Nissan Maxima trims & engines on record

Trims
SE · GXE · GLE
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl

1996 Nissan Maxima vehicles on record

1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D4TT110269 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D3TT100509 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D0TM410689 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D0TT169173 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D0TT175796 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D2TT160507 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D4TT742835 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21DXTT154941 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima GXEJN1CA21D9TT150492 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D3TT172309 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D6TT140213 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima GXEJN1CA21D5TT714252 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21DXTT172968 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21DXTT145219 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D1TT168811 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D2TT167652 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D2TT720817 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima GXEJN1CA21D4TT102821 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D0TT123679 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D3TT118444 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D5TT157035 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D5TT705101 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D4TT744231 1996 Nissan Maxima 1996 Nissan Maxima SEJN1CA21D1TT115283

Other Nissan Maxima model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

1996 Nissan Maxima — frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Nissan Maxima have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 1996 Nissan Maxima. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Nissan Maxima?

Based on 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, engine and engine cooling, equipment.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Nissan Maxima get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 1996 Nissan Maxima at about 21 mpg combined (19 city / 26 highway).

How much is a 1996 Nissan Maxima worth?

Comparable 1996 Nissan Maxima listings run roughly $500–$1,200, typically around $848 (from 25 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.