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Vehicle safety record

1986 Nissan Maxima Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 63 complaints about the 1986 Nissan Maxima with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system (38) and the electrical system (9). Those complaints describe 3 crashes, 39 fires and 2 injuries. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in November 1995 for the fuel injection system. For comparison, the 1985 has 54 and the 1987 has 178.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical Maxima year, for its age

#1 most complained-about 1986 vehicle

Complaints
63
Recalls
2
Crashes
3
Fires
39
Injuries
2
Deaths
0

Most common 1986 Nissan Maxima problems

Share of all 63 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1986 Nissan Maxima recalls 2

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Fuel system: fuel injection system

95I006000686,649 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
FUEL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix
Nissan dealers will replace the fuel injectors and related hoses on the affected vehicles.

Visibility: windshield

86V09600033,000 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The fix
Add more adhesive to bottom of front windshield glass.

What owners say

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63 complaints about the 1986 Nissan Maxima

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 3.

Equipment & accessories

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

Filed EquipmentNHTSA 767760
Fuel systemFire

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

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 765992
Fuel system

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.

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 756572
SuspensionBody, doors & structure

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

Filed Incident Suspension · StructureNHTSA 744119
Transmission & drivetrain

Manual transmission throw out bearing failed. Nlm

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 554027
Fuel systemFire

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

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 857239
Electrical systemFire

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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 825179
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 burned, the vehicle had not been repaired. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 820122
Fuel systemFire

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

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 817594
Electrical systemFire

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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 817353
Fuel system

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

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 815525
Electrical systemFire

Turned on the ignition and flames shot out from under the hood. Vehicle was totally engulfed in flames. *Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 800034
Fuel system

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

Filed Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 809474
Fuel system

Dealer says no parts available, it would be a few months before parts are available. *Ak

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 808452
Fuel systemFire

FUEL INJECTOR LEAK CAUSED VEHICLE FIRE.

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 513865
Fuel system

After having the fuel injection service campaign repair work done, the vehicle is smoking and sometimes is hard to start. *Ak

Filed Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 805306
SteeringSuspensionBrakesEngine & coolingFuel systemElectrical systemFire

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

Filed Incident Steering · Suspension · Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline · Electrical systemNHTSA 804868
Fuel systemFire

Was driving and the car caught on fire from the engine due to fuel injection system failure received recall letter 95i006000. Pease describe . *Ak

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 804619
Fuel systemFire1 injury

FUEL INJECTOR FIRE.

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 511112
Electrical systemFire

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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 804536
Engine & cooling

MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 510733
Engine & coolingFire

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE--CAUSE UNKNOWN.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 510293
Seats & seat beltsCrash1 injury

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

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 800959
Fuel systemFire

FUEL INJECTOR LEAKED, CAUSING FIRE. *DH

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 507117
Engine & coolingFuel systemFire

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

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 800499

Nissan Maxima: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
1990107473Fuel systemC
198964473Fuel systemC
1988601232Fuel systemC
19871781596Fuel systemF
1986632339Fuel systemC
1985542238Fuel systemC
198430004Fuel systemA
19835001Fuel systemA
19824002Fuel systemA
All Maxima years

1986 Nissan Maxima vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 1986 Nissan Maxima

Does the 1986 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1986 Nissan Maxima: fuel injection system (November 1995); windshield (July 1986). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 1986 Nissan Maxima?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the fuel system (38), electrical system (9), engine & cooling (8).

How many complaints has the 1986 Nissan Maxima had?

63 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 12, 1994 and the latest on September 26, 2002. Of these, 3 describe a crash and 39 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1986 Nissan Maxima a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 48 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Nissan Maxima year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Nissan Maxima years have the most complaints?

2004 (1,426), 2005 (948), 2006 (576). See every Nissan Maxima year compared.

What should I do if my 1986 Nissan Maxima has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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