MYRModel Year Report

1986 Nissan Maxima

▲ Better than typical
1986 Nissan Maxima
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:37:06.552Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Maxima Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1986 highlighted. 1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 30 complaints 1985: 54 complaints 1986: 63 complaints 1986 1987: 178 complaints 1988: 60 complaints 1988 1989: 64 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 110 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 89 complaints 1994 1995: 152 complaints 1996: 96 complaints 1997: 102 complaints 1998: 113 complaints 1999: 165 complaints 2000: 360 complaints 2000 2001: 172 complaints 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 1425 complaints 2005: 948 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 129 complaints 2008: 78 complaints 2009: 339 complaints 2010: 275 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 1 complaints 2016: 142 complaints 2017: 103 complaints 2018: 36 complaints 2018 2019: 18 complaints 2020: 21 complaints 2021: 3 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 1 complaints 2023
1986: 63 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19824
19835
198430
198554
198663
1987178
198860
198964
1990106
199177
1992110
199378
199489
1995152
199696
1997102
1998113
1999165
2000360
2001172
2002205
2003206
20041425
2005948
2006576
2007129
200878
2009339
2010275
2011106
2012107
201362
201496
20151
2016142
2017103
201836
201918
202021
20213
20225
20231

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 60%

60% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 38 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing injectors and fuel injection system.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20020823

CAR CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, PRECEEDED BY A GAS SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950106

FUEL LINE BROKE/FUEL LEAKED ONTO HOT ENGINE, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19941209

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%

17% of complaints: electrical system — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front underhood and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950306

ON COLD START DRIVER HAD DIFFICULTY. SECOND ATTEMPT VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950104

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE
SEAT BELTS 8%

8% of complaints: seat belts — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASH INJURY
STEERING 5%

5% of complaints: steering — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hose, piping, and connections.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

STEERING RACK FAILED. *DH

NHTSA ODI report, 19941012

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19860930 — visibility

THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT THICKNESS OF ADHESIVE IN THE CONTACT AREA BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS AND THE BODY.

Remedy: ADD MORE ADHESIVE TO BOTTOM OF FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS.

Campaign 86V096000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19940222 — PE (closed 19940623)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 19940623 — EA (closed 19951108)

FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE

R 19960318 — fuel system, gasoline

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 RE

Remedy: NISSAN DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Campaign 95I006000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1986 Nissan Maxima — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (38 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 86V096000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 95I006000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1984 ▲ 2018 ▲ 1985

WORST YEARS

■ 2004 ■ 2005 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1986 Nissan Maxima reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1986 Nissan Maxima is rated "better than typical".

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

The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 60% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1986 Nissan Maxima have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.