Complaints
74
Crashes
3
Fires
47
Injuries
2
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1986 Nissan Maxima Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#112 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
Fires:10
#211 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
Fires:6
#36 complaints
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Fires:6
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1986 Nissan Maxima.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 12 | — | 10 | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 11 | — | 6 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 6 | — | 6 | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 6 | — | 5 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 | — | 5 | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
10
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1986 Nissan Maxima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Nissan Maxima Years
1986 Nissan Maxima — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1986 Nissan Maxima reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1986 Nissan Maxima has 74 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors with 12 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1986 Nissan Maxima?
Top reported problems: Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors (12 complaints); Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System (11 complaints); Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood (6 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1986 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA complaints for the 1986 Nissan Maxima include 3 crash-related reports, 47 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1986 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1986 Nissan Maxima as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1986 Nissan Maxima?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Maxima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1986 Nissan Maxima
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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